I do the same thing...eventually they just pass me. If they don't...well, I'm not sure what to say

Although, the semi that got close enough for me to lose sight of his headlights (tonight...), just got a cloud of diesel smoke. I'm not out to play with fire

__________________
1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting

Don't let someone ruin your day if the net result is you arriving safely.

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

I have found the solution.


I returned home from CT today with the borrowed S-10. It's got about the same power as a 240D and uphills in 5th are not happening without significant loss of speed.

So, I decide to draft behind a trailer. Stayed at about 30' for about 30 miles. Good draft on the truck at that distance and fuel consumption was significantly reduced. Furthermore, I could easily go 65 with him.

But, the absolute best result:

NO TAILGATERS...............!!

welcome to the dark side


see? given a choice, no one (on the East Coast) wants to be behind the steady, slow guy.

Agreed. But, we were not all that slow...........he stayed between 60 and 65 in the center lane...........never wavered. All the DB's flew by on the left. It was excellent............although staying between 25' and 30' was a bit nerve wracking for 30 miles. Every so often he'd tap the brakes which would wake me up..............

I give you credit.

It takes alot of patience and will power to stick to a speed for an extended period.


Maybe I'm ADHD, but I find it difficult. Regardless of what I know is best.

I've tried it both ways. If I drive at a speed of 65 mph for the trip, I get home in about 2 hours and 35 minutes depending on the traffic. The stress factor is significantly reduced and the fuel consumption is also significantly reduced. The SDL can average 28.5 on repetitive tanks.

If I drive at 70-75.........slow to 60.........increase to 70...........weave.........bob...........slow to 65...........increase to 75...........I get home in 2 hours and 28 minutes depending on the traffic.


The greatest variable in the trip is the traffic............the speed is really not relevant to the trip time unless you're going 400 miles or more.

I couldn't agree more.

But for some reason, I can't assimilate the knowledge into action or standard behavior. Even after all the physics classes.

I guess that comes with age. Good thing I'm driving a 4cyl 190d these days....

Sometimes it does...........sometimes it doesn't.

There are plenty of old dudes that race around me in desperate need to get to the next red light...........which they can plainly see is red if they simply look up off the pavement.

I had one today..........came up behind me in the right lane.........swung around left.........no signal...........raced to the light about 500' up the road..........and moved his $hitbox right back into the right lane so he could be first at the line. This rather pisses me off because I could have made that light without stopping if the DB wasn't in the way. Naturally, he sat there for seven seconds when the light turned green..............because he's a DB. There's millions of 'em and they all drive.

Is everyone so damm busy doing other 5hit in their cars that they are totally clueless?


Even though I'm a skosh aggressive, I am totally attentive. I can't even talk to my passenger(s), and for this, they are usually more aggravated by me than other drivers.

Truly, a strange world. ehh, I do my best.


I have at least gotten better with watching farther ahead / lights etc. This car is so gutless, and I loathe wasting time accelerating / decelerating..... ugh.

I get aggressive at night. Apparently, the road speed for all the DB's drops about 10 mph at night and it takes work to keep 65 mph because they all want to do 55 in all three lanes.

But, I can certainly relate to no talking to the pax. I do the same thing. I warn pax in advance about it.

I pride myself in knowing what a DB is going to do before he actually does it.