Nutters
Nov 16th 2011, 7:14 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Land of no recession
Posts: 10,718
Re: Nutters
Travelling a hundred foot behind in Spain means there is room for at least five Spaniards to overtake into the gap and vastly increase your fuel efficiency
Nov 16th 2011, 7:23 pm
#17
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Nutters
Edit.
Excerpt from Wiki on drafting as the Americans call it.
"Tailgating and hypermiling. Some drivers have been known to draft behind other vehicles, particularly tailgating larger vehicles, to save fuel. For example, hypermilers using this technique can achieve 75 mpg or more.[9] Some sources say that the most common tailgating does not save gasoline even at freeway speeds because one is likely to accelerate and brake so frequently that any aerodynamic savings are lost through the brakes.[10] On the show Mythbusters, drafting behind an 18-wheeler truck was tested and results showed that traveling 100 feet (30 m) behind the truck increased overall mpg efficiency by 11%. Traveling 10 feet (3.0 m) behind the truck produced a 39% gain in efficiency. Of course, they warn that this type of driving "is insane" because the truck's blindspot is in that area, and if the truck stops quickly there is much less time to react.[11] Truckers are not fond of the extra stress this puts on them, worrying about cars on their tail. Additionally, it can be very dangerous for the following car if one of the truck's tires (or their recaps) delaminate, as the chunks of ejected rubber can be large enough to cause serious harm, even death, to a driver following too closely."
Seems you have it about right bil.
Travelling ten feet behind gives a massive 39% increase in efficiency for those insane enough to risk it.
A hundred foot which is still not without risk only gives 11%.
It's much dependant on maintaining a constant speed to be effective.
However little wonder they hate cars joining their convoys.
Excerpt from Wiki on drafting as the Americans call it.
"Tailgating and hypermiling. Some drivers have been known to draft behind other vehicles, particularly tailgating larger vehicles, to save fuel. For example, hypermilers using this technique can achieve 75 mpg or more.[9] Some sources say that the most common tailgating does not save gasoline even at freeway speeds because one is likely to accelerate and brake so frequently that any aerodynamic savings are lost through the brakes.[10] On the show Mythbusters, drafting behind an 18-wheeler truck was tested and results showed that traveling 100 feet (30 m) behind the truck increased overall mpg efficiency by 11%. Traveling 10 feet (3.0 m) behind the truck produced a 39% gain in efficiency. Of course, they warn that this type of driving "is insane" because the truck's blindspot is in that area, and if the truck stops quickly there is much less time to react.[11] Truckers are not fond of the extra stress this puts on them, worrying about cars on their tail. Additionally, it can be very dangerous for the following car if one of the truck's tires (or their recaps) delaminate, as the chunks of ejected rubber can be large enough to cause serious harm, even death, to a driver following too closely."
Seems you have it about right bil.
Travelling ten feet behind gives a massive 39% increase in efficiency for those insane enough to risk it.
A hundred foot which is still not without risk only gives 11%.
It's much dependant on maintaining a constant speed to be effective.
However little wonder they hate cars joining their convoys.
Nov 16th 2011, 7:31 pm
#18
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Re: Nutters
I'm sure I've seen them travelling very close to that ten feet maximum effect before.
They wouldn't have the faintest clue or time to even begin reacting if something went pear shaped in front of them.
Doesn't bear thinking about, though I expect the ever more exhorbitant fuel prices will continue to encourage some to risk it.
They wouldn't have the faintest clue or time to even begin reacting if something went pear shaped in front of them.
Doesn't bear thinking about, though I expect the ever more exhorbitant fuel prices will continue to encourage some to risk it.
Nov 16th 2011, 8:06 pm
#19
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Nutters
I'm sure I've seen them travelling very close to that ten feet maximum effect before.
They wouldn't have the faintest clue or time to even begin reacting if something went pear shaped in front of them.
Doesn't bear thinking about, though I expect the ever more exhorbitant fuel prices will continue to encourage some to risk it.
They wouldn't have the faintest clue or time to even begin reacting if something went pear shaped in front of them.
Doesn't bear thinking about, though I expect the ever more exhorbitant fuel prices will continue to encourage some to risk it.
