Slipstreaming lorries
Discussion
Is it really worth it? What sort of savings can you make?
For context I saw the most egregious example of this in my life today.
A BMW E46 estate, probably diesel, sitting between, and I'm not embellishing this for PH, roughly 2-3 feet from the back of the 40T artic in lane 1. The radiator grill was nearer the lorry's trailer than the driver's face.
Is it worth saving £1 per journey for a more elaborate funeral?
For context I saw the most egregious example of this in my life today.
A BMW E46 estate, probably diesel, sitting between, and I'm not embellishing this for PH, roughly 2-3 feet from the back of the 40T artic in lane 1. The radiator grill was nearer the lorry's trailer than the driver's face.
Is it worth saving £1 per journey for a more elaborate funeral?
I've done it a few times when in my V70 T5 when towing a large trailer with a car on. Done a couple of trips to Scotland from Essex and back to pick up cars and as time was not of the essence have sat in the first lane amongst the lorries, from memory I've got nearly 500 from a tankful which is good going on these barges!
How close do you have to sit though? I hate having something large too close in front on the motorway, as you can't see down the road. If you have to sit within 5 metres of the truck to get the benefit, then it's just too dangerous. You'd be panic braking every time the brake lights come on, as you have no idea what's going on in front.
Is it worth it?
Plus points -
I do this on the odd occasion at circa 5.30-5.45am on my way to work for about 15 miles. At a distance from the HGV of 3-4 car lengths.
My car is a VW jetta 2.0 TDI 2007 - the mpg will rise from 57 ish to 80 ish. 50% ish of that increase will obviously come from the fact that you are travelling slower.
Time taken will increase by a few minutes only
Minus points -
Not exactly a relaxing commute as you have to stay very alert - hgv's don't seem to use cruise control in the same way cars do & they will slow/speed up for inclines
I think the drivers don't like to have you behind them & tend to weave around - see above
Other hgv's will come up behind you. This is not a fun place to be at all - the consequences of any accident will mean even your donor card is useless
So you pays your money & takes your choice really.
It does however make you appreciate the speed differential between hgv's & outside lane cars - makes you think about lane changes bit more thoroughly
Plus points -
I do this on the odd occasion at circa 5.30-5.45am on my way to work for about 15 miles. At a distance from the HGV of 3-4 car lengths.
My car is a VW jetta 2.0 TDI 2007 - the mpg will rise from 57 ish to 80 ish. 50% ish of that increase will obviously come from the fact that you are travelling slower.
Time taken will increase by a few minutes only
Minus points -
Not exactly a relaxing commute as you have to stay very alert - hgv's don't seem to use cruise control in the same way cars do & they will slow/speed up for inclines
I think the drivers don't like to have you behind them & tend to weave around - see above
Other hgv's will come up behind you. This is not a fun place to be at all - the consequences of any accident will mean even your donor card is useless
So you pays your money & takes your choice really.
It does however make you appreciate the speed differential between hgv's & outside lane cars - makes you think about lane changes bit more thoroughly
Edited by dirty doug on Wednesday 7th May 12:04
Totally bonkers.
Let's say you managed 100 miles doing this lunacy and you increased your mpg from 50mpg to 60mpg. You save just £2!
It's like valuing your life at a couple of quid. It's really dangerous and any savings massively wiped out by any fines you could get from dangerous driving.
On a factual point, it does work, I've even seen cyclists doing silly speeds behind lorries as the wind resistance completely goes. Pure lunacy.
Let's say you managed 100 miles doing this lunacy and you increased your mpg from 50mpg to 60mpg. You save just £2!
It's like valuing your life at a couple of quid. It's really dangerous and any savings massively wiped out by any fines you could get from dangerous driving.
On a factual point, it does work, I've even seen cyclists doing silly speeds behind lorries as the wind resistance completely goes. Pure lunacy.
Radar cruise control to minimum gap setting! But then if you can afford a car with radar cruise (probably new) you're not going to care about saving a few quid.
This is how autonomous cars will first work, probably. Lock onto a lorry, sit at 56mph reading a newspaper, and remember your junction no.
(edit for speeling)
This is how autonomous cars will first work, probably. Lock onto a lorry, sit at 56mph reading a newspaper, and remember your junction no.
(edit for speeling)
Westy Carl said:
Works a treat on a bicyle.
If you manage to hook up behind a bus you pretty much get a free ride at 30mph plus the added warmth of the radiator, happy days
As a teen (13-15) I used to make progress by holding onto various vehicles to pull me along... until I got caught by a Plod on a motorbike. I'm 36 and I've still not had a bigger bIf you manage to hook up behind a bus you pretty much get a free ride at 30mph plus the added warmth of the radiator, happy days
king than I did by that policeman. He went apocalyptic on me in middle of the town centre. Please note that I acknowledge it was a completely stupid thing to do and I deserved the b
king I got and I never did it again.If you really must try to slipstream something on the motorway, I've noticed that you get an appreciable increase in MPG (as measured by the instantaneous fuel consumption on the in-car computer) even by following 2 seconds behind a transit-sized van. Probably a lot safer than following a HGV if you are into that sort of thing.
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