Drafting & Tailgating
Use with caution.
All those trucks and lorries trundling down the motorway and A roads create a big area of disturbed, lower pressure air behind them. Your car requires less energy to push through that air. Less energy required equals less fuel burnt.
This is the same technique used by F1 drivers when they basically grab a tow down the straight from the car in front – in effect they are being sucked along by the leading car. The effect is magnified because of the huge aerodynamic effect of F1 and other race cars.
This advise is often interpreted as some lunatic claim that driving six inches off the bumper of a huge lorry. It really isn’t so please don’t do it. It is unsafe and likely to lead to you being embedded in the rear of a truck which will hurt.
Instead think about just sitting behind a truck – remember your highway code, leave a sensible gap and make absolutely sure that you can stop in plenty of time if required. Also the large gap will help you avoid braking all the time which will also help your fuel consumption.
Also consider staying in the first lane on motorways – even cars in front will help create a drafting effect whereas the empty middle lane will be less fuel efficient.
Hypermilling.co.uk is simply a small website about hypermilling – hypermilling techniques wll be listed and explained, news about hypermilling listed and links off to useful hypermilling resources.
Remember – being safe is more important than miles per gallon and even a small bump will totally negate any savings made by hypermilling.
You should always make sure your car is totally road legal and your car insurance is up to date, if you have any doubt contact your car insurance company.