Does following closely behind an 18 wheeler save fuel?

Question

And how much fuel is being saved? A link would be very welcome.

Answer 1

Mythbusters did a special on this and they found that you can save fuel.  It's not recommended because the rig can't see you when you follow that closely.

http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbu...

You'd be looking for episode #80.

Pretty cool show!

Answer 2

even if it does, its idiotic,

a) the driver can't see you

b) you cant see whats happening ahead

the closest you should get to large vehicles is so you can just about see the wing mirrors. (you cant see the wing mirrors = they cant see you)

Answer 3

Some, but be careful.

You can be ticketed for following too closely.  An 18 wheeler equipped with air brakes can stop in less time than you can.

Answer 4

i spose so because of the air resistance!

Answer 5

If you're in on an interstate/freeway that trucks drive the same speed as passenger traffic, yes. Think of it this way: The truck ahead of you is moving the air around his truck. This creates an 'empty zone' where there is no stale air. The air is moving over his truck and the rear end is creating a force that is travelling the same speed as him. Therefore, your car isn't going to push the air in front of you, saving you fuel.

I know here in Michigan, the truck speed limit is 10 mph less than passenger traffic, so you'd be saving fuel there too.

Though, it's not always wise to follow too close, you don't know what's going on ahead of you, and the driver of the truck might not be able to see you.

Answer 6

as a truck driver I can tell you, you have to be close enough to touch that ICC bumper on the trailer, AND I can also tell you that if one of them 120-130 pound caps (treads)comes off a trailer tire (or anything else the truck runs over), it's gonna come through your windshield and slap you around some(mythbusters only used a little piece of one on the show) AND I can tell you that same ICC bumper works well as a guillotine when you run under it and somebody hits YOU from behind. (also works well when the truck is broke down along the road and you run into it)

Answer 7

Yes It does... but it can be very dangerous.... if something abruptly happens and you are following close behind, you better have some awesome brakes and reactionary skills or else you'll end up underneath the semi. Here's the link

Answer 8

yes but not recomended..i somtimes do it on a bike,it can acctully pull me along...but as mentioned its very dangerous

Answer 9

you could but if the truck had to stop fast

you would probally be dead after smashing into the trailer

or you might have a compact car as well

why risk you life

Answer 10

it might save you in fuel but the paint will suffer-