Taking my first long road trip next week- can I get tips?

[lisaj59]

I'm driving up to Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks next week. I will be going from low to high altitudes on long and very windy roads through the park. 8)

Are there any special tips about driving the pri that I need to know for those conditions?

Thanks!!!

Lisa

:mrgreen:

[jeromep]

The car should handle high altitude just fine. I have crossed the Cascades a couple of times already this year and the car was a true performer. High altitude is not an issue. Pulling long hills is not an issue.

Cross winds and the car are a little different. The car has such vertical sides that it seems fairly distinctly effected by cross winds. However it isn't unmanagable, just requires a bit more active driving. If you encounter strong cross winds, just slow down and the car will remain easy to handle.

[kkister1492]

I agree. We just did a 3-week trip that ran the gamut in regards to altitude and winds. We did the Rockies, and the Sierra Mts. as well as a few other mountain ranges. Temps from 34 to 118. No problem!! Just drive it and have a good time. Enjoy all the room, too.

[Bill Lumbergh]

I drove though the Rockies, Cascades, and the Kluane range in BC this week. Encountered pretty stiff winds, too.

I had my tire pressures at 40/38 and had minimal issues with crosswinds pushing the car somewhere I didn't want it to go. If it gets windy, slow down a bit and drive attentively and you'll have no issues.

I went to Kings Canyon as a kid with the family many times.....have a safe drive!

[lisaj59]

Everyone tells me they went there as a kid!!!

I'm as excited as a kid - not only to go hug the biggest trees on the planet but to take my pri on her first long trip.

Ok...tire pressure. I gotta go look up info on that.

You said 38/40 - higher in the front or back?

thanks everyone!

Lisa

[jeromep]

You always want to run 2 lbs higher in the front than the rear.

[anniede]

We just finished a drive from LA to San Jose this last weekend.

If you're going via I-5, here are some tips:
- Going up the grapevine, we used the cruise control to keep at one speed. I know I pissed off others by going only 5 over the speed limit, but it really saved on the MPG.
- when you're coming down the grapevine, let the car coast as much as possible. We super-generated energy like you wouldn't beleive and the MPG were really up there for quite a while, as the car worked to use all that extra energy. My hubby, who's a serious gauge watcher, was jazzed about it all. LOL

General Tips:
- keep a good, steady hand on the wheel. High speeds + high desert winds will make you rock and/or drift a little.
- My biggest suggestion, take your time, use cruise control to stick to a safe, sane speed and enjoy the view.

Annie in Sunnyvale, CA

P.S. - an audiobook is an excellent idea, especially for those boring stretches of road!

[lisaj59]

We filled up the tank before we "decended" the grapevine on the way home.

So, with only a few miles on the new tank and coasting down that hill we got the mileage up to over 75 MPG!!! It was pretty funny watching it keep going up and up. :mrgreen:

Of course it has gone way down now that I'm back home.

Thanks for the tips everyone. She performed like a champ and we had a wonderful trip!