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
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:
I used to get dropped off to school in one of these. The pick up was mum’s Nissan Datsun though!Scrump said:
I know the Somerset & Devon area well. Have travelled it for many years and often in cars a lot less capable then a turbo diesel c class.
It sounds to me that either you had your car in the wrong gear or there is something wrong with it. Your car should be perfectly capable of maintaining a decent speed along any of the main roads in the area.
I had it sport+ but will get it checked out. It sounds to me that either you had your car in the wrong gear or there is something wrong with it. Your car should be perfectly capable of maintaining a decent speed along any of the main roads in the area.
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