What can I do?

[Greeen]

I figured it did, but I thought, you know I better check with the experts on this one.


Has anyone experimented with "drafting" on their daily commute, it sure helps Jeff Gordon save fuel on Sundays. I would assume this works in the real world situations too. How close should I get to the back of the next car?

[theholycow]

Drafting can and does help many people. It is NOT done the way that Jeff Gordon does it, though. Instead, find a 53' box trailer and keep a 2 to 3 second following distance. Don't follow flatbeds or anything that can be converted to a flatbed, since you're more likely to find rocks falling off of them.

Tailgating is dangerous and illegal, and the turbulence directly behind a common road vehicle will actually reduce your fuel economy.

There is a link in my sig to a good discussion on drafting.

[Gas Guzzler]

Originally Posted by Greeen

I figured it did, but I thought, you know I better check with the experts on this one.


Has anyone experimented with "drafting" on their daily commute, it sure helps Jeff Gordon save fuel on Sundays. I would assume this works in the real world situations too. How close should I get to the back of the next car?

i do that if i find an 18 wheeler thats going at a decent speed. i pulled 24mpg in my navigator 1 time drafting 1 from new braunsfels to san antonio.

[Greeen]

So I guess I don't need to keep the grill guard for bump drafting

[GasSavers_JoeBob]

In about 1972 or so a friend of mine had a '62 Ford Country Sedan with a 390...four barrel carb...probably very similar to the car shown. He got about 8 mpg average out of it. And yes, he did keep track, even then. But....he did have a lot of fun on dates in that car!

Originally Posted by Greeen

Well I've been doing my research and I found a hell of a deal on a beater car, it says it has a 390 FE motor. Does that stand for fuel efficient?

Here is the car I found.

[theclencher]

Originally Posted by Greeen

I was looking more for modifications. I'm pretty sure I would hate myself if I had to drive little 4 banger everyday, plus I do have a few trailers I pull on occasion.

Are you trolling or are you serious?

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by JoeBob

In about 1972 or so a friend of mine had a '62 Ford Country Sedan with a 390...four barrel carb...probably very similar to the car shown. He got about 8 mpg average out of it. And yes, he did keep track, even then. But....he did have a lot of fun on dates in that car!

That car looks like it could host a lot of fun dates...simultaneously!

[Jay2TheRescue]

I would totally buy that wagon. I miss my old Bonneville wagon. Here's a pic of me with it in the summer of 1989:



My dream wagon? An Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, or a Pontiac Grand Safari.

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

Originally Posted by Greeen

I've got a big grill guard on the front, does that hurt my mileage any? Wouldnt driving 55 mph really anger the people driving the speed limit of 70 mph,

If you want to keep the grille guard, wind string or speaker wire around it. Long spirals, about 3 inch spacing.

Many car antennas sport this kind of turbulence control device as do tall cylindrical smoke stacks.

[trollbait]

On a short commute, a warm intake and grill block could help the truck get up to operating temp faster.

I would also recommend a Scangauge. The instant feedback of what you're driving style is doing helps. Plus, it'll let you monitor engine and air intake temps with changes to the intake or grill. The Xgauge function might let you also monitor transmission temps.