I agree. The Indy car special was very well-done, and I also thought the earthquake episode was pretty cool. The difference between the effects on the frame construction and the load-bearing masonry construction was pretty dramatic.
The airborne rocket car was still kind of a dud, and this was their 3rd try. But, yeah, overall I’m really enjoying this season.
Try this. Put one rear window most of the way down. Put the front window on the same side down about 1".
If the aerodynamics on your car are like my car you will get a large volume air in the back window and out the front and it will be quiet.
Play with the window setting to find the optimum for you car.
I really enjoy those times when they compete with each other to engineer the best solution. If they had, I bet they could come up with some techniques that could increase mileage beyond 2x… probably to 10x. It’s even possible to get to 100x or more, but only for a scenario with mostly highway driving. Although it might piss off fellow drivers, I don’t think it’s technically illegal.
I’m going to spoiler my solution, in case you want to think of it on your own.
You sure you’re ready for my answer?Okay, I was thinking Grant would come up with the best answer. Last chance to look away…Build a small remote-controlled car that attaches to the bottom of your vehicle. It’s tethered by a length of rope on a spring coil… so the rope can play out when pulled, but retracts back on its own when there’s no tension. Design the remote-control car to detach, drive under the bumper of the car ahead of you and hook onto its bumper. Once hooked, ease off your accelerator and enjoy the free tow. If the car ahead turns away, use your controls to unhook the small rc car and reset.
I’m almost certain that would be illegal for multiple reasons.
There’s lots of things that seem illegal, but have no specific law prohibiting. I’m assuming we don’t expand vague laws like reckless driving to cover these unusual things… in which case several of those hypermiling techniques from the episode could also fall in that category, depending on usage. Judicious usage could avoid that.
Also, a lot of lights just aren’t that long. On my short (1.5 mile) drive home from the transit station, I have two left turn lights. Both will allow about 4 cars through assuming you start moving the moment it turns green. Only 4 fucking cars at a time out of a transit station that is letting 1-3 buses off at a time during peak hours. I have enough trouble with people not paying attention. Someone turning their car off while waiting? No no no no no.
Watching them put their earthquake simulator was pretty cool, too. And I admit the bathroom stall thing sold me on using water AND soap.
There’s no need to tap the gas when starting a manual (not unless it’s 20 years old or something). To start my manual I turn the key and it starts, I can reach in and do it while standing outside if I want.