DRiving in the Mountains

Tech_Guy · 05-16-2007, 12:49 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maine12 @ May 15 2007, 04:21 PM) [snapback]442822[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I am looking to visit my son in Colorado and I am wondering how the
Prius handles in the mountains.
[/b]

FYI,

This item seems inappropriate in this section (Prius and Hybrid News), it should have been listed in "Prius Main Forum".

Regards,

skruse · 05-16-2007, 01:24 PM

Drives great in the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges, summer and winter. Love the VSC control. Handles very well.

micheal · 05-17-2007, 11:43 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maine12 @ May 15 2007, 08:21 PM) [snapback]442822[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I am looking to visit my son in Colorado and I am wondering how the
Prius handles in the mountains.
[/b]

Have had a few trips through the mountains of Colorado and didn't have any problem. I remember one extended climb led to losing some speed as I was nearing the top, but only got down to around 60mph I think.

We use B a lot on the downward portions and for the uphill climbs just kept it on cruise control. The engine gets louder, but never overheated or anything. The averages for the trips were around 48-50 mpg.

apriusfan · 05-23-2007, 12:41 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ May 16 2007, 07:39 AM) [snapback]443304[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Remember to shift into "B" on long downgrades that would otherwise require you to ride the brakes. And then remember to shift back to "D" when you leave the mountains ("B" will reduce fuel economy in normal driving).[/b]

Why wouldn't you ride the brakes? You would get the re-generative braking function to charge the battery much quicker by using the brakes. If you are concerned about the brakes over-heating and fading, I would switch to ceramic pads and put in some high temp brake fluid. Brakes cost much less to repair/replace than the drivetrain (which takes the stress of coasting when you select the B setting). Also, if you switch to ceramic pads, you will get a shorter stopping distance....

Winston · 05-23-2007, 02:20 PM

Regarding Octane. When driving at higher altitude, the air is less dense which means that it becomes more difficult to ignite the fuel. Thus, your vehicle will run better with a LOWER octane fuel, not higher octane. That is why high altitude communities generally sell fuel which is 2 octane points lower at each fuel grade level.

Re: regenerative braking. The prius uses regenerative braking whether you put the gear shift lever in "B" or you use the brake pedal. The only benefit to the "B" setting is that it consistantly uses some regenerative braking, so you dont need to manually modulate the brake pedal.

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05-16-2007, 01:24 PM	#12
skruse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Great Central Valley, Fresno, CA Posts: 1,206 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 2	Drives great in the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges, summer and winter. Love the VSC control. Handles very well.

05-23-2007, 02:20 PM	#15
Winston Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 578 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	Regarding Octane. When driving at higher altitude, the air is less dense which means that it becomes more difficult to ignite the fuel. Thus, your vehicle will run better with a LOWER octane fuel, not higher octane. That is why high altitude communities generally sell fuel which is 2 octane points lower at each fuel grade level. Re: regenerative braking. The prius uses regenerative braking whether you put the gear shift lever in "B" or you use the brake pedal. The only benefit to the "B" setting is that it consistantly uses some regenerative braking, so you dont need to manually modulate the brake pedal.