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Can someone do a 'birds eye view' of how surfing should be done? I'm not sure if I'm in the optimum place or not.


Is it like this:

(([]=[=====] - -
- - - - - - - - - -(=()).

Or more like this:
(([]=[=====] - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -(=()).

either of those are correct from what I understand... the latter one is probably the safer one, although you'll experience less FE gains from it as well.

Also to reiterate from your other post, drafting isn't endorsed by cleanmpg ;)

The most efficient would probably be the first, because in the second you are dealing with part of the slipstream from the truck. The air wraps around the back and also is able to enter the space between your car and the truck in the second illustration, so the first would be more fuel efficient.

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This (illustrated above) is even better from an aerodynamics standpoint, but you will eventually end up like this:

________________ /)x#)
(([]=[=====]
- - - - - - - - - -

So, don't drive where a truck driver can't see you. This makes them very nervous and unpredictable.

The safest way to use trucks in the pursuit of high MPGs is to let the truck pass you at a very slow speed (to take advantage of the high pressure zone in the front, which will push you along), then slow down about 5 mph to let the truck go by.

Or you can just not use trucks and stick to slow speeds and traffic side draft.

Are there any illustrations of the air flow around the truck, that would really help me wrap my brain around what's going on. Not that I would draft, or surf, as it may be dangerous or illegal.

Hi Jaysen472:

___Behind and never to the side. An evasive maneuver and you are toast. Better yet, stay in the far right lane and let the traffic side pull you along as the speeders pass. Safest and usually the best bet for the highest FE. Do not be screwing around with this, OK!!! Better yet, get off the fast moving highways and watch your numbers really scream upwards!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

As posted in response to your other thread just a bit ago:

http://www.nozone.org/images/blindspot_overhead.gif

I second Wayne's directive -- leave the highway if at all possible. If not, just stay way the heck to the right and take your time.

Don't do it. There are better ways to improve your mpg.

Then again, you could end up like this girl!

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/newsarchive/14878741/detail.html

I feel much safer behind a semi than I do infront or beside 1. :D

Other than the chance for tire debris to fly off when their tires go.

Better yet, get off the fast moving highways and watch your numbers really scream upwards!

Wayne, I would love to stay off the highways in pursuit of higher numbers, but with as many miles as I drive, that would equal a significant amount of time that I would be driving rather than spending time with my family.

I'm more curious about the dynamics of how it works, I don't really want to be stuck behind a truck, or in an accident. I don't feel it is unsafe behind and one lane over. Maybe I should work on my aero mods more than anything since I do so much highway.

OTOH, on some highways it is pretty hard to stay clear of semis. The best thing is take advantage of them while you must but in the end they go way too fast for any hypermiler anyways.

--des