Fuel Economy

[SwanTiger]

Driving behind a large truck can significantly increase fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. In one set of experiments using a Hyundai Sonata and driving 3 seconds behind a loaded semi truck, fuel efficiency increased compared to driving on an open road. Efficiency increased from 24 MPG to 34 MPG at 70 MPH, and from 22 MPG to 30 MPG at 77 MPH. [citation needed]These consumption values were taken over 30 minutes to reduce the effects of hills and wind. Some may argue that following a truck reduces safety; however, a safe distance was maintained, and a truck may also increase safety by clearing the road of unexpected obstacles.

An interesting piece of information, full available viewable here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_guzzler

[Street Gerbil]

A trick well-known to pushbikers. And being the power plant of the aforementioned vehicle, you feel the difference right away.

[Timber020]

I had a Pontiac Bonneville with a 7.5 litre motor. It used to do 13mpg if I was really really really gentle and drafting trucks, otherwise it would do single figures. Very low ones if you put your foot down.

[scracha]

You'll save a few dollars on gogo juice but the pollution increase in following trucks is huge. Watched a telly prog. on it once where they actually did this experiment in a car.

[Karma]

Yeh you'll get high mpg, but low brain cell count from all the carbon monoxide your air con is sucking up from his exhaust.