Just a quick note to those of you who wonder how the Prius handles on hills: I just got back from a vacation to Colorado. Drove over Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (about 11,200 feet) and then up Pike's Peak (14,110 feet).
No problems on grades of 6 to 14%. ICE and inverter/motor ran fine and did not overheat; and battery was low after sustained climbing, but did not completely discharge. Turtle light never came on. Also, electric motors are not affected by altitude, so no loss in power. Also, Prius maintained legal speed limit on sustained climb approaching Eisenhower Tunnel (west of Denver on I-70) from both directions (several miles of 7% grade at 65 mph, at about 10,000 feet).
Mileage in mountains was 62-67 mpg mainly due to speed limits of 35 to 55 mph. Mileage up Pike's Peak was 17 mpg going up and 99.9 coming down. Only complaint is that "B" is not low enough for coming down Pike's Peak 14% grade. Had to ride the brakes. Brakes did not overheat, but would like to have had enough engine braking to avoid using them. Perhaps a "B2" with lower gearing...
This is a great little car (2002). I wish it was paid for so I could get a new 2004.
No problems on grades of 6 to 14%. ICE and inverter/motor ran fine and did not overheat; and battery was low after sustained climbing, but did not completely discharge. Turtle light never came on. Also, electric motors are not affected by altitude, so no loss in power. Also, Prius maintained legal speed limit on sustained climb approaching Eisenhower Tunnel (west of Denver on I-70) from both directions (several miles of 7% grade at 65 mph, at about 10,000 feet).
Mileage in mountains was 62-67 mpg mainly due to speed limits of 35 to 55 mph. Mileage up Pike's Peak was 17 mpg going up and 99.9 coming down. Only complaint is that "B" is not low enough for coming down Pike's Peak 14% grade. Had to ride the brakes. Brakes did not overheat, but would like to have had enough engine braking to avoid using them. Perhaps a "B2" with lower gearing...
This is a great little car (2002). I wish it was paid for so I could get a new 2004.