Mountain Passes

[Silverback]

I live in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and on trips to Vancouver have to climb go over a couple of fairly significant passes. The longest climb is about 30 km of 6% grade. Speed limit is 110 km/hr. What can I expect?

[Canuck]

Before we picked up our car, and whenever we met a Prius driver, we would give them the third degree about the vehicle. On one occasion about two months ago we met a couple on Vancouver Island with Alberta plates so asked how their trip was. That had been their first trip of any distance and reported that from Calgary to Vancouver, maintaining posted speed limits using cruise control they averaged 4.8L/100km ( if my memory serves me correctly.... I posted this info in one of my earlier contributions and had a quick look through my previous posts but couldn't find it)

[efusco]

On very long steep uphill grades you can expect to deplete the battery SOC to a point where you're essentially running on ICE power only. You will be able to maintain speeds in the 50-55mph range. The ICE will be wound up to some pretty high RPMs to do it, but without harm to the system.

Of course on the downhill the battery recharges quickly. See if you can get a TRAC/rental and drive it on your route to see how it does.

[bflat58]

I live in Denver and have taken my 04 across the Colorado, climbing several passes. Yes, the battery does drain to nothing on long climbs and the ICE works its little heart out, but I was usually able to maintain 50 mph. Its a little humbling to move to the far right lane and get passed by those stinking SUVs. However, the downhill glide is fun. I once made it for 12 minutes without the ICE coming on and had rare full green battery! I played a little with the brake mode, but am not convinced it buys you much. I averaged 57 mpg on one long mountain trip, so the downhill savings seem to outweigh the lower Mpgs when climbing. I did not buy my Prius to drive in the mountains, but it does OK when needed.

[skruse]

By prudent driving (cruise control @ about 41-55 mph) more or less on the level, I always obtain a green battery after 25 minutes of driving on my morning and evening commute. I can drive an older section of highway that parallels the newer faster section. Fuel economy averages 53 mpg and the battery stays topped off.

Several posts discuss "feathering" the accelerator to obtain optimum fuel economy and battery recharge. In a Prius you learn to "read the landscape" and drive appropriately, rather than substituting oil for knowledge. As needed, you accelerate to stay with fast moving traffic, but overall there is great satisfaction in applying knowledge rather than oil. Going over mountain passes is a bonus that reinforces good driving.

[bruceha_2000]

I played a little with the brake mode, but am not convinced it buys you much.

It doesn't buy you something, it saves you from riding the brake pedal all the way down the hill. :-)

[bflat58]

True. However, I found that for my mountain driving it slowed me up a little too much, too quick and I had to hit the gas. I think it depends on the pitch of the hill.

[Canuck]

I don't know if is a good thing to do or not but in our local mountain downhill runs I "feather" in and out of "B" to maintain the speed I wish to keep, not using the foot brake nor the gas pedal.

[Frank Hudon]

haven't done the C with the 2k4 but the 2k3 no problem just drive it normally and it's ok. Mine hill on 3 no problem it'll do 135-140 up there like nothing. Both of them, it's no big deal. Been to Alberta and Sask with them no problem on any pass, Rogers, or Kootani pass nothing but clear sailing, if fact I was passing the ones that thougt 115 was to slow on the Coq and passed me at the bottom. 115 at the top and they were looking at me kinda strange as I was going past them. It's very capable on any road in BC.

[ggrimaud]

I occasionally drive from Reno to Sacramento. I drive I80 over Donner Pass. I set the cruise control and then enjoy the ride... That is until I noticed that I was gaining speed going down the other side. I have to switch to B and even then I have to brake occasionally. As far as the up hill side though, I haven't had any problems at all.

I just wish that the cruise control was smart enough to engage the B mode by itself. I guess if I wanted a car that totaly drove itself I'd hire a Limo...