• PrimeErective@startrek.website
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    4 months ago

    Unfortunately, to get the benefit of the slip steam, you gotta be pretty close to the back of the truck. If you have space for good reaction time, you’re probably too far back

    • Septimaeus@infosec.pub
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      4 months ago

      This is correct, especially at lower speeds. Greater fuel efficiency would come from lower wind and drivetrain resistance and use of a more efficient range of the motor’s powerband.

      Most vehicles are geared for optimal speed to fuel consumption around 55-65 mph (90-100 kph) not 70+ mph (110+ kph). So just going a bit under the speed limit can have a significant impact on fuel consumption.

      • pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online
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        4 months ago

        Also, truckers drive efficiently, so just following what they do will save gas.

        But yeah, I don’t go over 65mph and I end up with 7-10mpg over my highway rating.

        • KISSmyOS@feddit.org
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          4 months ago

          I have no idea what mpg are exactly, but my car uses 5 liters for 100km when I drive it.
          The official rating is 7, and most car magazines at the time it was new claimed that it’s unrealistic cause it actually “needs” 8.

          When I went to the shop because my brake discs were rusty, the mechanic told me “yeah well you’re supposed to use them once in a while”.

          Edit:
          8 liters/100km = 29 mpg
          7 liters/100km = 34 mpg
          5 liters/100km = 47 mpg

          • pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online
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            4 months ago

            Yeah, I got my last vehicle new, and went 165k miles (~265k Km) on the front brake pads. At every tire rotation I asked if I needed new ones, and for like 6 years they told me they were at 50% wear.

            I use throttle control to adjust my speed while driving, and coast as much as I can at redlights.

    • psud@aussie.zone
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      4 months ago

      This has been tested. You still get a reasonable benefit 3 seconds behind; you get practically nothing 6 seconds behind