Can the Prius handle the Sunol Grade?

rwithop · 01-05-2005, 08:02 PM

Hello,

I have a friend who wants to buy a Prius, but is concerned about whether it would have enough power to handle the Sunol Grade commute to the South Bay from Livermore.

Anybody done it? How was the power? Sufficient?

kkister1492 · 01-05-2005, 11:18 PM

My family is going over that right about now headed skiing. I'll let you know how they rate the trip when they get back. 3 adults and gear. Should be interesting but I'm a little worried about letting my 'baby' go on it's first trip without me.

Dave · 01-06-2005, 12:15 AM

I go over hiway 17 frequently with no problems. I have driven over the sunol grade three times, each time in the fast lane, above the speed limit. Once with two passengers and lots of gear.

No problem.

vintagebob · 01-06-2005, 01:02 AM

No problem. I've been over it many times on my way to wine country. The Prius kicks butt over my old 89 VW Vanagon.

aforkosh · 01-06-2005, 02:40 AM

Mine has handled Donner Summit twice. On the east side, once from Tahoe City and once from Reno, holding 60-65 mph all the way to the summit. I also hit the Caldecott Tunnel pretty regularly. Mileage takes a hit on the way up, but comes back pretty well on the descent. I've never had a problem keeping up with traffic. I don't think that Sunol Grade should be a problem.

V8Cobrakid · 01-07-2005, 12:12 AM

there are grades? lol.. it all seem pretty flat when flying around at high speeds. *shrug* j/k.

I think the prius can handle anything. Even if the battery dies, the engine holds it's own well. It sounds like it's going to blow up.. but holds it's own well. lol.

I must say though. If you are traveling and you can use 101 over any other highway, so do. You get better gas mileage on 101. 85 is cool.. 87 is lame but cool. 92 really sucks for gas mileage. 680 and 280 both suck for gas mileage. 17 is good though.

Now holding 50mpg + hehehe

cc_prius · 05-17-2005, 01:20 AM

I commute over it and the altamont every day without a problem for the past week. I have yet to feel a lack of power in any driving situation. Of course, it is not as peppy as my old Maxima, but I wouldn't say it is underpowered.

01-05-2005, 08:02 PM	#1
rwithop Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 120 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Can the Prius handle the Sunol Grade? Hello, I have a friend who wants to buy a Prius, but is concerned about whether it would have enough power to handle the Sunol Grade commute to the South Bay from Livermore. Anybody done it? How was the power? Sufficient?

01-06-2005, 01:02 AM	#4
vintagebob Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Jose CA Posts: 67 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Can the Prius handle the Sunol Grade? No problem. I've been over it many times on my way to wine country. The Prius kicks butt over my old 89 VW Vanagon.

01-06-2005, 02:40 AM	#5
aforkosh Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 135 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Can the Prius handle the Sunol Grade? Mine has handled Donner Summit twice. On the east side, once from Tahoe City and once from Reno, holding 60-65 mph all the way to the summit. I also hit the Caldecott Tunnel pretty regularly. Mileage takes a hit on the way up, but comes back pretty well on the descent. I've never had a problem keeping up with traffic. I don't think that Sunol Grade should be a problem.

01-07-2005, 12:12 AM	#6
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	there are grades? lol.. it all seem pretty flat when flying around at high speeds. shrug j/k. I think the prius can handle anything. Even if the battery dies, the engine holds it's own well. It sounds like it's going to blow up.. but holds it's own well. lol. I must say though. If you are traveling and you can use 101 over any other highway, so do. You get better gas mileage on 101. 85 is cool.. 87 is lame but cool. 92 really sucks for gas mileage. 680 and 280 both suck for gas mileage. 17 is good though. Now holding 50mpg + hehehe __________________ Silver 9 as of June 12th '04 (over 123k Miles now) Decals, Mud Flaps, 1200Watt Modified sign wave Inverter, BT Tech Rear Brace, coastaletech 2" receiver hitch, and 215/45/17 tires.

05-17-2005, 01:20 AM	#7
cc_prius Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 38 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Can the Prius handle the Sunol Grade? I commute over it and the altamont every day without a problem for the past week. I have yet to feel a lack of power in any driving situation. Of course, it is not as peppy as my old Maxima, but I wouldn't say it is underpowered.

01-05-2005, 11:18 PM	#2
kkister1492 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 354 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My family is going over that right about now headed skiing. I'll let you know how they rate the trip when they get back. 3 adults and gear. Should be interesting but I'm a little worried about letting my 'baby' go on it's first trip without me.

01-06-2005, 12:15 AM	#3
Dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 333 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I go over hiway 17 frequently with no problems. I have driven over the sunol grade three times, each time in the fast lane, above the speed limit. Once with two passengers and lots of gear. No problem.

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