How do you optimize drafting to reduce fuel consumption?

Question

Under what conditions? How fast? How far back? Behind what vehicles? In what vehicle? Have these things been studied? And, of course, how much will I save?

Answer 1

I know that following an 18 wheeler fairly closely will put you in a slipstream which reduces wind resistance. I don't really recommend doing it to other vehicles though. I know your car will stop faster than a big truck, I can't say it would stop faster than anything else.

Answer 2

it was on myth busters where they did it with a truck but i can tell you this much there's a thing for people like you it's called brake check. For ride someone to close.

Answer 3

doesnt matter what u save, the risk is not worth ur life

GL

Answer 4

dude, you can't draft with people on the roads or highways.  first of all, it's tailgating with you can get pulled over for.  secondly, it would be far to dangerous, people wouldn't know what you're doing, they'd just think your in a hurry tailgating them.

i think your confused with NASCAR. can't drive like that on the roads

Answer 5

If you are thinking of drafting on the highway, don't do it in CT. If I see you endangering others, the troopers will be on your    so fast , it will make your head spin . There have been 16 teen age deaths on the highway within the last 2 months. That is enough stupidity. We need no more!!!

Answer 6

To the pinhead who said cars can stop faster than trucks:

Modern tractor trailers have highly efficient braking systems that enable them to stop quickly and safely from high rates of speed.  Kenworths with air disc brakes can stop in 220 feet, not much longer than most cars.  If you're traveling behind a truck at 70 mph and you're close enough to get a benefit from drafting, you're less than 100 feet away from that truck.  At 70 mph, you cover 100 feet in .97 seconds.  That means you have basically one second to realize that truck has hit the brakes, decide what to do and do it.  Keep in mind that truck driver can see what's going on in front of him and you can't, since you're so close to the truck.  Also, the truck's been shaving speed the whole time you've been checking out your nose hairs in the rear view mirror.

Me, I'll keep my 4 second gap as much as possible and consider the money on gas well spent.