Up Hill performance

[blackstack]

Hi guys,
I'm a new member from Los Angeles. I just configured my smart last week and have an eta of November. I was wondering though- How does the smart do on the freeway where there is a grade? Does it keep up, or do you have to slow and let everyone pass you? Has anyone in California driven on the 101 in Thousand Oaks to Camarillo or the I5 Grapevine?

Thanks!

[John_H]

At a 6% grade, my cabrio has *no* problems at 65 in 3rd gear. It was tough keeping it in 4th gear at 70 in similar grades but 75 was okay for some of those steep grades, being further into the engine's power band. If you're shallower than the 6% grades I experienced going from Oregon to California and back, you should be good.

Sometimes kicking into manual to guarantee you'll stay in 4th for the power band is a good way to go, rather than letting 5th gear wimp you out of your desired speed. These conditions are where the manual mode really shines through!

[blackstack]

Thanks for the info, John

[mendo]

I drive over Donner Summit in N. CA two days a week.

it is 7200 foot elevation and pretty steep.

I can stay at 75 the whole way up, foot is on the floor most of the time.
If I stay around 70 then I really get better mileage.
I shift between 5th and 4th and it does good on the hills.

[burtandnancy]

Will be screaming over the Camarillo grade in the AM, and if I get slowed down, I merely paddle back to 4th. Same on the Grapevine. NO Problem...