Why do people tailgate? I got rear ended—

[spdrun]

I don’t.

That’s the point – that the braking effect is very controllable and can even be zero. But at least in my car, it almost doesn’t exist unless you downshift.

[an]

[quote=spdrun]I don’t.

That’s the point – that the braking effect is very controllable and can even be zero. But at least in my car, it almost doesn’t exist unless you downshift.[/quote]
I guess it’s all about context. I’ve never driven a diesel, so I didn’t know diesel can’t engine brake when you let go of the gas in top gear going 70MPH.

[spdrun]

Depends on the engine. Some have throttle plates, some don’t.

Trucks have a way to alter valve timing(?) to provide a braking effect – that’s the loud burping noise you hear when a truck slows down on a steep hill.

[Coronita]

Rarely someone tailgates me but if someone does and does for a long time,i just wash my windshield for a very long time until the person backs off or my washer fluid empties. Works great especially a lot of folks like to keep their cars spotless and works best for folks tailgating in a convertible.e

[ucodegen]

[quote=spdrun]Depends on the engine. Some have throttle plates, some don’t.

Trucks have a way to alter valve timing(?) to provide a braking effect – that’s the loud burping noise you hear when a truck slows down on a steep hill.[/quote]Diesels generally don’t have throttle plates. The ‘burping’ you are referring to is from something called a Jake Brake or Jacobs Brake. It is and isn’t an altered valve timing. Often it is an additional valve that gets/engaged used when the brake is engaged (ie for Detroit Diesels). The fuel injectors on the diesel get ‘disabled’ at the same time. The brake releases the compressed air in the cylinder near the top of the stroke, generally right after TDC. It is after TDC to avoid crashing the valve into the top of the piston. Piston clearances are much tighter on the top than gas engines.

There are other types of exhaust restriction brakes for diesels that don’t have the Jacob’s Brake. You will sometimes find them on Diesel pickup trucks. NOTE: It is not recommended to use these on some Ford Navistar diesels because of insufficient exhaust valve spring pressure.

[an]

[quote=flu]Rarely someone tailgates me but if someone does and does for a long time,i just wash my windshield for a very long time until the person backs off or my washer fluid empties. Works great especially a lot of folks like to keep their cars spotless and works best for folks tailgating in a convertible.e[/quote]
I totally agree and that’s what I do too. Either that, or let go of the gas and slow down until they pass me. Another good way get them to stop is to just get out of their way.

[Rhett]

[quote=spdrun]Lastly, I’m from NYC. Driving is a competitive blood sport here, but at the same time, brake checking and road rage aren’t all that common here. Relax and be a good sport about things. How can San Diego drivers be so angry in such a lovely place? Paradox.[/quote]

Despite the tough talk in this thread, San Diego drivers are teddy bears compared to those in other major metropolitan areas in the country, even in this state.

With that said, there are a lot of tailgaters (though they probably exist everywhere), and nobody is even attempting to address the original question – *why* do people tailgate? Yes, there was the “don’t let somebody squeeze in front of me” answer, but that still doesn’t explain most of the tailgating. And what is equally bizarre is that many of these same jackholes are the types that leave an entire car length distance in front of their car at a stop light line.

I cannot count how many times I see people speed up to cut in front of me and then exit to the right, even though it would have been far easier for them to pull behind me and exit, not even costing them time. I think most people think it’s a damned video game.

[paramount]

Here’s why most people tailgate:

Low IQ

Seriously, the lower ones IQ the more aggressive they tend to be.

Tailgating is most often a form of aggression and bullying.

[svelte]

[quote=paramount]Here’s why most people tailgate:

Low IQ

Seriously, the lower ones IQ the more aggressive they tend to be.

Tailgating is most often a form of aggression and bullying.[/quote]

Or frustration with the numbskulls who can’t use their gray matter enough to get out of the way.

Seriously, did you ever stop to consider maybe tailgaters in general have quicker reflexes? Look at NASCAR drivers, f’rinstance.

[spdrun]

NAStyCAR drivers. Hahahahahahahaha. Cars using technology from 1949 running round in circles like hamsters. Give me a LeMans race or a good rallye any day over NASCAR.

Anyway, what’s cool on the track isn’t necessarily on the street.

[svelte]

Yeah, and rules they taught in driver’s ed don’t necessarily transfer to the street in every situation.

Look at the 10 and 2 rule we were taught. Does not apply today.

[an]

[quote=spdrun]NAStyCAR drivers. Hahahahahahahaha. Cars using technology from 1949 running round in circles like hamsters. Give me a LeMans race or a good rallye any day over NASCAR.

Anyway, what’s cool on the track isn’t necessarily on the street.[/quote]
Seriously? I’m not a NASCAR fan and I laugh at the idea of driving around in circle, but saying NASCAR cars uses technology from 1949 is just incorrect and shows your ignorance.

The tech they use in tires, aerodynamic, etc. are far more advanced than any street cars today, much less cars from 1949. If you’re talking about the OHV engines, then the OHC tech is just as old. OHC started in 1921.

Since you brought up LeMans, don’t you see them tailgating each other out of the gate and when a faster car comes up to the slower car from behind, waiting for an opportunity to past? WRC is the only series where you don’t see tailgating and it’s for very obvious reason. You can also look at F1, various GT series, etc. They all tailgate.

[an]

[quote=svelte][quote=paramount]Here’s why most people tailgate:

Low IQ

Seriously, the lower ones IQ the more aggressive they tend to be.

Tailgating is most often a form of aggression and bullying.[/quote]

Or frustration with the numbskulls who can’t use their gray matter enough to get out of the way.

Seriously, did you ever stop to consider maybe tailgaters in general have quicker reflexes? Look at NASCAR drivers, f’rinstance.[/quote]
+1

Also, aggression have nothing to do with IQ. Only one who is miss informed (or just plain old ignorant) would think there’s a connection. Steve Jobs is quite an aggressive CEO. There are many stories of him railing (bullying) his subordinates for not doing what he expect of them. He’s also one of the most brilliant people of our time. On the other end of the spectrum, I know a few people with low IQ and a learning disability and they’re pretty docile, much more than your average person.

[paramount]

[quote=AN]
+1

Also, aggression have nothing to do with IQ. Only one who is miss informed (or just plain old ignorant) would think there’s a connection. Steve Jobs is quite an aggressive CEO. There are many stories of him railing (bullying) his subordinates for not doing what he expect of them. He’s also one of the most brilliant people of our time. On the other end of the spectrum, I know a few people with low IQ and a learning disability and they’re pretty docile, much more than your average person.[/quote]

AN: Can you or do you read? Did you notice I used a hedge word?

The roads are basically a mixing bowl; on the road we have:

dumb people
smart people
arrogant
ignorant
angry
depressed

and on and on.

You encounter them daily as you drive around.

And yes, there is a correlation between aggression and IQ, sorry AN.

There are aggressive drivers around Temecula – there are a lot of rednecks and the uneducated ignorant.

That’s why I drive an 8,000 lb Ford Excursion; I don’t tend to get many tailgaters and when I do I usually can’t see them.

I also have a 75lb pure iron class 5 hitch sticking out the back end.

[scaredyclassic]

tailgating probably is correlated with iq. almost instant laibility when you hit someone from behind. seems like anyone with a brain would want to avoid that.

[Author]

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