So I saw this Mythbusters show that explored the idea of getting behind a semi on the freeway to get better mileage.
And on my new 08 GT vert, I noticed that the average mileage reading was almost exactly what I was calculating by hand each time I filled the tank (within a few 10ths, if not right on).
Soooo, on a recent trip to San Francisco I decided to try something. If you go to the average mpg screen while driving and hit "reset" it gives you instant mpg for a while, and then begins averaging.
At 75mph, flat, smooth freeway, no wind, 23-24mpg.
At 70mph, about 25mpg.
At 70mph, 3 second distance behind a semi-trailer, 35mpg!
At 60mph behind the semi, 40mpg!
I measured these for about 20 minutes each.
You don't have to tailgate, just stay a comfortable distance behind it, keep a steady throttle, and that's it.
Now, I'm not going to do that regularly, but it makes a great way to stretch out the tank if you're running low and think you'll barely make it to that next station...
But I would rather do that than drive a Prius...
And on my new 08 GT vert, I noticed that the average mileage reading was almost exactly what I was calculating by hand each time I filled the tank (within a few 10ths, if not right on).
Soooo, on a recent trip to San Francisco I decided to try something. If you go to the average mpg screen while driving and hit "reset" it gives you instant mpg for a while, and then begins averaging.
At 75mph, flat, smooth freeway, no wind, 23-24mpg.
At 70mph, about 25mpg.
At 70mph, 3 second distance behind a semi-trailer, 35mpg!
At 60mph behind the semi, 40mpg!
I measured these for about 20 minutes each.
You don't have to tailgate, just stay a comfortable distance behind it, keep a steady throttle, and that's it.
Now, I'm not going to do that regularly, but it makes a great way to stretch out the tank if you're running low and think you'll barely make it to that next station...
But I would rather do that than drive a Prius...