# Clever hacks that you've never gotten to work **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 25, 2021, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692 "2021-02-25T01:15:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/283 "2022-05-09T22:04:34Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > why I’m only going 10 over when the freeway is completely empty, or if they’re happy because they finally found their comfort zone, fixated on my tail lights. Some of them are comfortable there because, if you are speeding and they are going the same speed, they think the cop will pick you off first. It doesn’t actually work that way, but they think it does. I have plenty of stories to tell. But if you want to speed, and someone else wants to speed faster, by all means, move over and let them go faster. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/284 "2022-05-09T22:13:33Z")
We tried using the steam-iron-and-damp-cloth hack to get rid of dents in the carpet. Nope. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/285 "2022-05-09T22:29:32Z")
If you mean the dents from furniture feet, my wife puts ice cubes on them. Seems to do something. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/286 "2022-05-09T22:31:06Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > if you are speeding and they are going the same speed, they think the cop will pick you off first. It doesn’t actually work that way, but they think it does. I have plenty of stories to tell That’s entirely possible. If a clump of cars is speeding, any one, or multiples, might get picked off. But I am delighted when somebody wants to go even faster than me, and break the trail ahead. It’s not a race. > [@carnut](#): > > move over and let them go faster Yep, but I’m talking about the people who are tailgating me in the right lane, while the left is completely clear and available to pass. Sometimes on surface streets that will happen, and I’ll move to the left for an upcoming turn or something, and then they’ll pass on the right. I just can’t bring myself to move _left_ to let somebody go by on the freeway. Probably the correct move at times. There’s probably some rule about all threads devolving to talk about traffic, so here are some driving related clever hacks that probably don’t work. - Any of those plastic license plate covers that are supposed to fool cameras. My guess is they do little, but the human eye and digital cameras work differently, so maybe? - Putting hairspray on your license plate for the same effect. - Radar absorbing car bras. It’s my understanding most of the reflection comes from the front brake disks, not the front bumper. I might be wrong about the brake thing, but I can’t believe the bras do anything. - Any gas saving trick that doesn’t boil down to “go slower”, “accelerate slower”, or drafting. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/287 "2022-05-09T22:47:00Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > Probably the correct move at times. Unfortunately, yes. I’ve also taken the exit if I know I can cross the cross-street and come up the ramp again, or some other maneuver that will not impede my travel by more than a couple of minutes. I made the last second exit move once and discovered the car following my tailgater was a cop. He was going to do me for dangerous driving but I and my passengers explained that we were being followed by that tailgater and we didn’t know who they were so we were trying to shake them. He sighed. He originally had his sights on the tailgater. He let us go. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/288 "2022-05-09T22:53:20Z")
> [@Briny\_Deep](#): > > A non-insignificant portion of the general population is (a) insane, (b) very, very angry, and (c) armed. My kids are convinced I’m going to die early. Cause of death: Mouthing Off To The Wrong Person. . > My realization with tailgaters, is that some people just like to tailgate. Speed, traffic, and open lanes don’t matter. They like being less than a car length away from the person in front of them. If they’re my dad’s age, that might come from driving on one-lane-each-way “highways”. Where you HAD to be right on someone’s tail if you ever had a hope of passing them before an oncoming car appeared over the next hill. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/289 "2022-05-10T00:07:55Z")
> [@digs](#): > > If they’re my dad’s age, that might come from driving on one-lane-each-way “highways”. On a 2-lane road, I don’t consider that tailgating, per se. Unless, of course, the car stays on your ass for miles and miles without attempting to pass. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2022, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/290 "2022-05-16T03:03:37Z")
For dented carpet, I wet it a little then use a hair dryer to warm the area and then fluff it with my fingers. Takes a few minutes but it does work on my carpet. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/291 "2022-05-17T20:15:27Z")
Here’s a hack that will save you a bundle. When driving, appoach the car ahead of you as close as you can, and stay no more than a yard distant. The car ahead creates a “slipstream”, reducing air resistance and saving you on gas consumption. Works like a charm! ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/292 "2022-05-17T23:24:02Z")
> [@Hatchie](#): > > Works like a charm! And angers those around you, especially the driver of the car in front. Tailgating should only be about meals served in the parking lot before or after the football game. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2022, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/293 "2022-05-18T03:03:58Z")
I tried that for about 30 seconds and then thought “What is stopping this truck driver from slamming on his brakes?” I backed off very quickly… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2022, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/294 "2022-05-18T13:16:42Z")
But think of the savings! ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2022, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/295 "2022-05-18T14:07:35Z")
I remember when Mythbusters tried the tailgating trick. With how close they got to the truck, I was surprised they aired the entire clip. Not because I was worried about them, but because, out of all the things they’ve done that you shouldn’t do at home, this is probably the most accessible one. No gathering supplies, no planning, no spending any money. Just get behind a semi and try it. Looking around, I see they actually had a 10% increase at 100 feet, but they pushed it all the way to 2 feet. At the time, I remember watching it and thinking they were going to [incorrectly] say it was busted, just to keep people from trying it. It probably would have made sense to at least stopped before they got that close, again, just to stop people from attempting it on their own. Grant driving 2 feet behind the semi. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lttgT1XZVvE/hqdefault.jpg "Drafting Semi") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lttgT1XZVvE) Tory riding a bike 2 feet behind the semi. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/y18mewmFNOQ/hqdefault.jpg "MythBusters - Big Rig Myths") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y18mewmFNOQ) ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/296 "2022-05-18T20:46:38Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > But think of the savings! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/297 "2022-05-18T22:29:53Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Looking around, I see they actually had a 10% increase at 100 feet That was the biggest thing I took away from the test—that it was possible to get a noticeable gain while still staying safe. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/298 "2022-05-19T00:05:11Z")
Drafting another bike on a bicycle race will get you a penalty. Drafting a semi or other car will get you dead. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/299 "2022-05-19T15:07:26Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > That was the biggest thing I took away from the test—that it was possible to get a noticeable gain while still staying safe. 70 MPH = 102 ft/sec. I wouldn’t exactly call 100’ a safe distance on a freeway. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/300 "2022-05-19T15:33:20Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Drafting another bike on a bicycle race will get you a penalty. Drafting a semi or other car will get you dead. Forgive my ignorance of bike racing rules, but isn’t that essentially what happens in a peleton? And isn’t this what they do in straight-line packs where they cycle out riders from the rear position to the first? Isn’t everyone except the first cyclist and the cyclist riding to the front drafting? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/301 "2022-05-19T16:02:49Z")
Yeah, I didn’t understand that one either. I’ve done plenty of road cycling with organized rides (not official races) as well as personal groups, and you draft. In small groups, you rotate through and take your turn at the front of the pack pulling everyone else (this is true for breaking trail while skiing or snowshoeing) and it can be work (such a good feeling falling to the back of the pack for rest). And getting “dropped” slows you down significantly (it’s a lot of work to get back with the group so you try to avoid dropping but then you face the dreaded bonk). I’ve watched cycling races and they are drafting. They are so close you couldn’t avoid it. Maybe there is a type of bike race where there is a penalty? ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692/302 "2022-05-19T16:05:30Z")
Triathlons don’t allow drafting in the biking leg. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-hacks-that-youve-never-gotten-to-work/933692.md?page=16)