Best car for steep gradients?
Discussion
I’ll be covering Bristol and Exeter from now on in my job. Yesterday, I encountered some steep climbs… it was like my Mercedes C200d just lost all steam. The speed dropped from 70mph to 59mph on a steep gradient. My ears were immediately blocked from the pressure.
Any recommendations for a decent hill climber?
More torque at lower RPM? High RPM and low torque?
What would be up to the job?
I don’t carry a lot of equipment. Some plumbing tools and replacement parts from time to time.
Cheers
Any recommendations for a decent hill climber?
More torque at lower RPM? High RPM and low torque?
What would be up to the job?
I don’t carry a lot of equipment. Some plumbing tools and replacement parts from time to time.
Cheers
As above, select the correct gear and open the throttle. It’s been a while since I’ve driven a car which can’t maintain 70mph on the motorway and I’d be highly surprised if a C200d can’t.
ETA: maybe a car which will do this for you. An automatic with cruise control will open the throttle and kick down if it is slowed by a hill.
ETA: maybe a car which will do this for you. An automatic with cruise control will open the throttle and kick down if it is slowed by a hill.
You might be talking about Haldon Hill on the A38. Back in the day there'd often be a bunch of cars stranded there during the holiday season due to overheating.
You can easily sustain 70 in a supermini by changing down a gear beforehand and holding the revs high until the top.
But even a relatively powerful car struggles if you simply boot it in the wrong gear halfway up the hill.
As others have mentioned, sort out your gear discipline instead of your car. You don't need to be a 'powerfully' built director in a BMW to make it to the top.
Or just chill out and allow the speed to drop a bit, while also saving a ton of fuel.
You can easily sustain 70 in a supermini by changing down a gear beforehand and holding the revs high until the top.
But even a relatively powerful car struggles if you simply boot it in the wrong gear halfway up the hill.
As others have mentioned, sort out your gear discipline instead of your car. You don't need to be a 'powerfully' built director in a BMW to make it to the top.
Or just chill out and allow the speed to drop a bit, while also saving a ton of fuel.
OP, are you sure your car is working correctly? Its been years since I've had a car that struggles, and my daily hack is a mere 1.7CDTI Astra.
Years ago, I drove my folks Rover 75 diesel. This is a car already known for its steady nature. However, on this occasion, it was dire. I told my parents I thought it was faulty. I think they had just become accustomed to the slipping performance. Turns out it had a duff MAF sensor.
Performance was fully restored after that was replaced.
Years ago, I drove my folks Rover 75 diesel. This is a car already known for its steady nature. However, on this occasion, it was dire. I told my parents I thought it was faulty. I think they had just become accustomed to the slipping performance. Turns out it had a duff MAF sensor.
Performance was fully restored after that was replaced.
dan98 said:
You might be talking about Haldon Hill on the A38. Back in the day there'd often be a bunch of cars stranded there during the holiday season due to overheating.
You can easily sustain 70 in a supermini by changing down a gear beforehand and holding the revs high until the top.
But even a relatively powerful car struggles if you simply boot it in the wrong gear halfway up the hill.
As others have mentioned, sort out your gear discipline instead of your car. You don't need to be a 'powerfully' built director in a BMW to make it to the top.
Or just chill out and allow the speed to drop a bit, while also saving a ton of fuel.
Yes, that’s correct. I’ll check the car for air tags. Thanks though. I did see a few cars struggle but not break down. You can easily sustain 70 in a supermini by changing down a gear beforehand and holding the revs high until the top.
But even a relatively powerful car struggles if you simply boot it in the wrong gear halfway up the hill.
As others have mentioned, sort out your gear discipline instead of your car. You don't need to be a 'powerfully' built director in a BMW to make it to the top.
Or just chill out and allow the speed to drop a bit, while also saving a ton of fuel.
Lincsls1 said:
OP, are you sure your car is working correctly? Its been years since I've had a car that struggles, and my daily hack is a mere 1.7CDTI Astra.
Years ago, I drove my folks Rover 75 diesel. This is a car already known for its steady nature. However, on this occasion, it was dire. I told my parents I thought it was faulty. I think they had just become accustomed to the slipping performance. Turns out it had a duff MAF sensor.
Performance was fully restored after that was replaced.
Worth checking. It’s due a service in April anyway. Tend to have two oil changes a year with the high mileage. Years ago, I drove my folks Rover 75 diesel. This is a car already known for its steady nature. However, on this occasion, it was dire. I told my parents I thought it was faulty. I think they had just become accustomed to the slipping performance. Turns out it had a duff MAF sensor.
Performance was fully restored after that was replaced.
Zarco said:
That's all very well, but now someone's got to reverse it back down. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff