I turn my mirror to point back at them and out of my eyes.

The draft is more noticable with a bigger vehicle (like a rented moving truck), but I can notice it even in my sedan just by the slight change in wind noise and the gas pedal position needed to maintain speed (manual transmission and excellent throttle response).

I follow closely sometimes, but not for the purpose of drafting, just to keep from being cut off or to get around someone slow. Tailgating someone rarely gets them to move out of the left lane at 55mph on the highway. If there's no chance or benefit of passing (residential, two-lane road, speed limit under 40mph, etc) then I see no reason to follow closely.

If you're staring at the bumper in front of you, following close is stupid. You have to look much further ahead and adjust your following distance based on the visibility both in front and from the sides. I drive on the left side of the lane so I can see around the cars in front of me (or look through their windows ahead of them). Watch for brake lights of the cars ahead too.

No comments on tailgating. But, I will say, if you hang out (not too closely) behind an 18-wheeler, you'll increase your mpg.

I used to frequently make trips between NYC and Baltimore and always managed to eek out about 28 mpg hanging out behind trucks, when I typically got no more than 26 under normal highway driving.

If your hanging our behind trucks your probably going slower.

And it's a great way to get brakechecked.

"Slower Traffic Keep Right" windshield sticker, cut with reverse letters so that it's legible in a rear view mirror:
https://www.usfreeads.com/catalogs/44...em2023412.html

My team runs pacelines on the way to races.

Ok, not really, but we did try it once on the interstate. There were no cars around, so the three cars started drafting (not super close, maybe 20 feet), and then the front would pull off and roll to the back.

We trust each other on our bikes, why not try it in the cars?

Duly noted. I've actually done a bit of a personal study for my own amusement with cruise control at 70 vs drafting trucks at around 70, just to satisfy my own curiosity. Yeah, it's not terribly scientific and full of holes, but the difference in results wasn't as subtle as I expected. What can I say, you need to find new ways to amuse yourself when you're making that trip every week...

i stuck my hand out the sun roof when following a semi truck. at like 50 feet and noticed a big difference compared to when i was going into the wind alone.
i don't think im behind them long enough to change the mpg though

To make sure the mirror is aimed properly, first point it at the ceiling. This ensures that you're pointing the mirror straight back (at the car), then wiggle the mirror up and down so the reflection of their headlights bounce on/off the ceiling. They will be getting a major flashing in their eyes.

This usually works to dissuade tailgaters who are doing it unintentionally (they just drive up to whatever is in their way, and repeat until at their destination), even if they don't have their high beams on.

On the highway, if someone is traveling really slow, I avoid doing this. Having dealt with elder folks, I realize that many of them simply cannot see that well. The debate on whether or not they should drive is a different topic, but I for one will not try and make them crash. Plus I figure they're at a huge disadvantage due to their frailty - their airbags will probably kill them.

However, a fast driver, or a young one (if I can see them), or a distracted one (someone on cell phone), they get the full benefit of the mirror flash.

cdr

I'm generally in the lead Yes, I'm that guy. I race my truck, I drive semi-aggressive, and I don't like being held up. I spend (slightly) more money in gas, yet I enjoy the drive, and spend less time in traffic. I'd MUCH rather be in the lead than in a pack... it's safer too

I wanted to do the same except, "On your left". Double meaning

That sir, is awesome. My truck club has done similar, except not rotating... just left the big guy up front.

About 2 million people in Southern California do it everyday all day, no major problems.

I've never understood this way of thinking. "I'm angry that you're following me too close, so I will attempt to make you crash into me. Perhaps I will be killed, then you'll be a murderer! That will show you!"

Most people are fine with tailgating.... but are scared ****less when brake checked. You rarely have to hit the brakes long for them to freak, and wake them up. If you REALLY want to mess with them, you deny them the warning of brake lights and simply downshift.
I tailgate if someone is holding up traffic, I do not condone tailgating for no reason. Yeah, call me a hypocrit.

See my comment above - killing yourself to spite someone else, huh?

On a trip to Vegas one time I was following a friends car on my bike (motorcycle, Ninja 250). By sticking close the whole time (though not so close that I couldn't swerve around or stop if they did) I did well over 300 miles on one tank (just over 3 gallons).

Probably the stupidest and most dangerous thing I've ever done, but it cost me 10 bucks to get from Salt Lake to Las Vegas.

To be fair, though, downshifting doesn't stop a car suddenly (well, unless you're going 60 and downshift to 1st.. lol).

I believe it is common in F1 racing to draft the leader and pass in the straight or by late braking in a corner.

If a big semitruck has good mud flaps on the tires I will get close enough to feel that I dont have to hit the gas as hard to maintain speed

You ever notice those strips of steel-belted rubber on the side of the highway? Recaps flying off the back of a truck at 70mph are a helluva projectile.

hehehe, I remember that. Good times. I also remember Paul saying it was actually safer to be 6 feet off the car's bumper rather than 20 feet, because the speed differential that could be generated in 6 feet is less than 20 feet. But I don't condone this...

I will say that I generally follow too close. It's a product of driving a small, light, fairly maneuverable car that I am very familiar with, and racing bikes. Bike racing makes it seem normal to be close to another moving vehicle, and being familiar with the car gives me confidence that I can react to and avoid pretty much anything that happens in front of me.

I will also say that riding and racing bikes has helped my situational awareness and reactions immensely. I was almost rear-ended at night a month or so ago, and only my quick reactions and instinct to throw the car off the road (instead of try and accelerate or panic) kept me from being rear-ended. I credit bike riding with the instinct to exit the road - that's not something your average driver would think to do.

Oh, and mythbusters actually found that there is a measurable reduction in drag up to 150+ feet behind the semi-truck. However, it is very slight at that distance and does not necessarily translate to an increased mpg.

There are tactics that make following too close safer. My favorite is to drive slightly to the left of the vehicle in front, so I can actually see past them up the road. Having a narrow car makes this more feasible.

Following semis is dangerous, more dangerous than following other cars on the highway despite the fact that they don't stop as fast. They shed re-treaded tires frighteningly often, and that stuff can go through your windshield. If you run it over, it can damage the underside of your car. They also pick up more road debris (did someone mention a brick being picked up?) and fling it backwards towards your windshield. Plus, the poor drivers can't see s**t. I sat in one once that demonstrated how little you can see. There were 5 cars around the semi and from the driver's seat you could not see a single one.

I dont even know what to say to this....

20 feet makes very little difference. You need something around 5-6 feet in a car.

How will you kill yourself ? If someone bumps you from behind, they are more likely to get hurt.

Don't count on that. If the person behind you were to swerve while hitting their brakes, that means when they hit you, the nose of their car will be lower (easier to get under your back end to lift it) and have extra traction due to the braking, plus a sideways force to kick the back end of your car to the side. If the rear end of your car loses traction at 65mph, there's a really good chance you're going to spin. Good luck counter-steering out of that one.