What is the best distance for getting better gas milage by following a semi?

Question

What is the best distance for getting better gas milage by following a semi?

Answer 1

Im just trying to figure out what the **** that is a pic of.

Answer 2

As close as you would have to be to save gas it isn't worth risking it I've seen it done and I've heard it done.  The way I follow a semi is at least one car length in front of me since these trucks can roll back at a stop light, take a lot longer to speed up then your car, can't see you haven't you ever seen the back of the trailer where it says if you can read this than your to close.  Even stay behind the semi stay off the accelerator until the truck speeds up, or get some balls going through your engine and pass them.

Answer 3

You'd have to be way too close to notice any small improvement in gas mileage.  Don't forget, lots of air travels under the semi.  Not to mention, it's very unsafe and I don't think you want to tick off a truck driver.

According to the link below, the best way to improve gas mileage is to drive sensibly.  Rapid acceleration, heavy braking, and speeding can decrease your fuel mileage by 5 percent in the city and 33 percent on the highway.

Drive smart.  Arrive alive.

Answer 4

You're talking about drafting the semi. To do that you'll have to be so close that you will be inches from the semi's rear bumper. Don't do it...it's far too dangerous because you're too close. If the truck driver has to slam on the brakes or swerve.....you're toast because you won't have time to react.

That little "If you can't see me in my mirrors I can't see you" sticker is on the trucks for a reason.

Plus driving that close to any moving vehicle is considered tailgating...illegal in every state I think. ...so if you did this you can expect to receive a special little piece of paper from your friendly police officer should you get caught. The price of that little piece of paper is far higher than the gas you're saving.

I'm all about gas mileage but I won't do anything STUPID or illegal to acheive better mileage.

Answer 5

I think 10 to 2o feet will give you a 40% savings. but I would stay much further back. you will save 10% at twice that far back.

Answer 6

These guys are right, you're talking about being so close that on the off chance that driver has to slam on his brakes or swerve to avoid something, you're not going to have sufficient time to react.

Stay back where you can maintain a safe following distance, keep a steady speed and arrive alive.  One trip of a loved one to the emergency room, or worse, the morgue, will show you the foolishness of saving a few cents' worth of gasoline...

Answer 7

That is a STUPID way to drive and I see people doing it all the time... It's hard to believe the average AmeriKan driver is so stupid that they don't understand reaction times and stopping distances.

Answer 8

You are such a moron to even be asking suck a stupid question.

Haven't you ever seen the signs on the back of semi-trailers that say .... " If you can't see my mirrors, then I can't see you "

They are there for a reason dummy !

Answer 9

to even get a little improvement in mielage by doing this you literally have to be inches from the rear of the truck.

you're better off making sure your tires are properly inflated, you have your windows rolled up always, keep your car clean, remove unneccesary weight from your car and making sure your car maintenance is up to spec. oh and driving like you got an egg under your pedal is good too...

Answer 10

probably the zone where the airflow reverses and fills in the "gap" behind the truck... i.e. too close to be safe.

The insurance company won't cut you a break just because you were 'drafting' and saving a few bucks... drive safe out there