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I decided to take my new Prius #9 on it's first tank of gas up into the mountains to see how she'd do. I didn't do any major climbs, but did go up some serious grades and around some tight curves. For those that are familar with Colorado, I went up Golden Gate Canyon Hwy to 119 to Hwy 72 back to flat land.
First thing that evey new owner should learn: throw out all things you "know" about with respect to engine sounds! Of course, the first thing that freaks you out is when the engine stops at stop lights. Also, since there are no gears, you don't hear the shifting that you're used to either. But when you're going up a serious hill, the engine noise makes no sense to what your used to. First, with the electic motor helping pull the car up the hill, the engine sounds fine. I was surprised how well I was accelerating up the serious incline. Watching the battery, though, I could tell this was going to be short lived. Sure enough, as soon as the battery was "empty", that little four banger was solo in trying to keep us moving up the hill. It was whining and screaming to the point I thought it was going to burst. Now I know why they don't give you a tachometer 'cause it would probably freak you out! (I'm sure that Toyota has it all under control, but what a sound!) Ironic was that for a stretch, I was following a Porshe up the hill, and I thought that his engine probably was making the same noise.
Even though the four cyclinder engine was screaming, she got me up on top without having me be a slow poke, but I sure felt sorry for her. Then came the down hill run... What a thrill to put in the "B" mode and watch that battery charge back up! This was the first time I saw the familar blue battery bars go to one purple bar, to a full set of light green bars - full battery.
In the long run, the gas mileage of the whole trip was above 45 MPG. It was comical to see that at it's worse, when I was going up a steep section on just the ICE, the instantaneous mileage was 15 MPG, which was the "best" that my Dodge pickup would ever hope to get!
As far as handling, I've driven Acura TL's and Integras, as well as my big old Dodge pickup, so as far as handling goes, I felt safe whizzing around the mountain curves, but I wouldn't call it a sports car by any stretch of the imagination. I didn't want to take it to the tire squealing stage yet, but I was approaching it. I also hit some serious wind, and I didn't have any probably dealing with it like some folks report. But I'm also a pilot and I'm used to fighting wind, so it might be second nature to me.
So other than sitting in the most UNcomfortable seat around, and listening to that poor engine just about explode, it was a great drive and I look forward to many more.
Hope this helps prepare folks for when they get their vehicle. Enjoy...
First thing that evey new owner should learn: throw out all things you "know" about with respect to engine sounds! Of course, the first thing that freaks you out is when the engine stops at stop lights. Also, since there are no gears, you don't hear the shifting that you're used to either. But when you're going up a serious hill, the engine noise makes no sense to what your used to. First, with the electic motor helping pull the car up the hill, the engine sounds fine. I was surprised how well I was accelerating up the serious incline. Watching the battery, though, I could tell this was going to be short lived. Sure enough, as soon as the battery was "empty", that little four banger was solo in trying to keep us moving up the hill. It was whining and screaming to the point I thought it was going to burst. Now I know why they don't give you a tachometer 'cause it would probably freak you out! (I'm sure that Toyota has it all under control, but what a sound!) Ironic was that for a stretch, I was following a Porshe up the hill, and I thought that his engine probably was making the same noise.
Even though the four cyclinder engine was screaming, she got me up on top without having me be a slow poke, but I sure felt sorry for her. Then came the down hill run... What a thrill to put in the "B" mode and watch that battery charge back up! This was the first time I saw the familar blue battery bars go to one purple bar, to a full set of light green bars - full battery.
In the long run, the gas mileage of the whole trip was above 45 MPG. It was comical to see that at it's worse, when I was going up a steep section on just the ICE, the instantaneous mileage was 15 MPG, which was the "best" that my Dodge pickup would ever hope to get!
As far as handling, I've driven Acura TL's and Integras, as well as my big old Dodge pickup, so as far as handling goes, I felt safe whizzing around the mountain curves, but I wouldn't call it a sports car by any stretch of the imagination. I didn't want to take it to the tire squealing stage yet, but I was approaching it. I also hit some serious wind, and I didn't have any probably dealing with it like some folks report. But I'm also a pilot and I'm used to fighting wind, so it might be second nature to me.
So other than sitting in the most UNcomfortable seat around, and listening to that poor engine just about explode, it was a great drive and I look forward to many more.
Hope this helps prepare folks for when they get their vehicle. Enjoy...