Hard core 3-second freeway drafter here.
70 mph = 102.667 ft/sec
1 Mirage car length = 12.45 ft
7 car length gap = 87.15 ft = 0.85 sec
10 car length gap = 124.5 ft = 1.21 sec
24.74 car length gap = 308 ft = 3.0 sec
Hard core 3-second freeway drafter here.
70 mph = 102.667 ft/sec
1 Mirage car length = 12.45 ft
7 car length gap = 87.15 ft = 0.85 sec
10 car length gap = 124.5 ft = 1.21 sec
24.74 car length gap = 308 ft = 3.0 sec
I respect your opinion and I see the logic in your conclusion. It is a choice we all need to make for ourself. A balance of risk and reward. Rather than calculating car lengths I use the 3 second rule because it is the most accurate and it takes into account differences in speed. @Loren posted a blurb about it on his website I wish I could find the link
Different drivers have a different level of experience and depending on our age we also need to acknowledge that as we get older we lose our fast reaction times so we must stay mindful of that as well.
2015 Mirage DE 5 speed Manual - 30k miles
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 44.9 mpg (US) ... 19.1 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 53.9 mpg (Imp)
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)
El Kapitan (08-14-2018)
Yes, once you see a tire de-laminate on a highway you learn to back off.
I still get 42-44 going 75-80 down the interstate...
I can't say it's worth complaining about.
However, that has gone down some now that I have working Cruise. Cruise is great but anyone who sees fuel savings from it is a horrible driver. Cruise only has a 1-2 MPH margin of error, and will floor it when unnecessary. In those cases I'll use momentum of the vehicle and normally make it up the hill only loosing maybe 4-6 MPH while seeing a substantial savings in fuel.
I always felt cruise was more of a luxury feature.
But I'm getting off topic.
I used to drive like these young whipper snappers. When I was 16, I spun a car twice on the interstate and amazingly landed perfectly on the shoulder without a scratch. During both spins, I could see the car that was behind me through my front windshield. I was very shaken and realized how fortunate I was.
This was the result of driving 70 mph during heavy rain with about three feet of visibility in front of me. I was originally doing 90 mph, but when the road conditions got bad, I decided to slow down and drive the speed limit. Evidently, cars can hydroplane at 70 mph. Imagine that. I suddenly remembered what the drivers education people said about hydroplaning and 35 mph.
Since then, I've learned to drive slower during heavy rain, sometimes as slow as 20 or 30 mph even on the interstate depending on conditions.
If I leave more than a half second gap I get cut off.
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View my fuel log 2018 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 43.5 mpg (US) ... 18.5 km/L ... 5.4 L/100 km ... 52.2 mpg (Imp)
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)
Then you slow down to leave more gap, and it gets filled, so you slow down more, and it gets filled.
Better to do the rate of traffic and scan well ahead than to be an obstacle with people swerving around you.
Luckily I dont commute in the city anymore. I have empty mountain highways to myself.
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View my fuel log 2018 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 43.5 mpg (US) ... 18.5 km/L ... 5.4 L/100 km ... 52.2 mpg (Imp)