I must start out saying holy shit...and continue by saying wow, I had a brilliant stroke of genius [sort of] last night. Why not hypermile with my distronic to see what happens. So this morning I found out what happens. I got on the freeway, got behind a large semi, got way too close (probably 20 feet or so), set to his speed and let off. It was great! distronic kept backing off because the draft[?] was pulling me towards the truck. I reset the active fuel economy thing (What is it called?), and it was averaging 22.6mpg. Totally unsafe, but if my numbers are accurate, that's a 24.1% gain over the EPA estimated highway MPG. So, yeah. Anyone else tried hypermiling with distronic?
That's crazy!! I'd check the front for rock chips. Those trucks can throw up some nasties once in a while, enough to crack and destroy windshields. Watch out for cops too because that's illegal in most places.
Vehicle: 99 S420 (76k Mi) 90 300SE (87k Mi) 08 Lexus ES350 (7k Miles) 07 GMC Sierra (8k Miles) Sold list -->
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This myth was tested on Myth Busters and found to be fairly accurate. There is a golden zone where any car can stay behind a semi trailer and get fantastic gas mileage (15-22% increase). After a certain distance, the mileage gain begins to decrease but is never as bad as if there were no trailer present. The down side is that this practice is unsafe, illegal, the truck driver can't see you, and your car is going to get battered with stones (which will destroy your paint, headlamps and windscreen). You may possibly be hit by a shredded exploded tire or two also. Not exactly the type of thing you want to be doing in a $160k sedan!!!
Unsafe, yes, but I have Presafe so not as unsafe. Illegal, yes, but I have a Benz, so it's not quite as illegal. And upon my inspection, I do have a small ding on the front where the license plate would be. Fortunately, no tread belts went on the attack today. I'm one of those kinds that has to try it atleast once. I tried it, it worked, I'm done. I'm thinking about the S400 bluetec hybrid when it comes out in 2010 though. Combined estimate of I think 40mpg imperial. Not bad. By then diesel will only cost $5.75/gallon.
My W220 S500 averages 24mpg @ 75mph. It will average 25.5 at 67mph. It is very speed dependent and repeatable. I had an accord V6 that did not care how fast you went. It averaged 24mpg from 60 to 85. Sad that my 5 liter V8 that weighs a ton more get much better mileage.
DISTRONIC PLUS AND MERCEDES-BENZ TECHNOLOGY ForTheWin!
"With new and enhanced features, Distronic adaptive cruise control has become Distronic Plus. This optional system uses two onboard radar systems to distance you from moving vehicles ahead. It offers true stop-and-go functionality by braking the vehicle to a complete stop or automatically adjusting the throttle up to 125 mph."
It works, yes, but if there is the sudden stop you are very likely to be crushed. If one can afford an S63 the gaz should be a minor expense.
No one said anything about the gas being affordable or not. I was just having one of those, I'm young, male, and invincible moments. I'm sure we've all had them.
so not as unsafe. Illegal, yes, but I have a Benz
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