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So I live on top of a big hill and every day I have to drive up and down it. Driving up it is the worst part though because it always lowers my MPG by at least 1 MPG on the Trip Average. Driving down it doesn't compensate for much of anything either though because I have to take it so slowly that all the energy I am gaining from gravity is being wasted into my brakes. Here is a video of the hill, please help me understand what the best technique to use on this hill would be. I am not able to gain any speed before going up it either just because of how it is positioned. I have to start from a dead stop. Thanks to any comments or advice!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JI8xmot_r0

Good grief that's steep!!! :eek:

I think you need a truck elevator. :p

Seriously, though, with a hill that steep and with that many curves you can't really develop any speed so if you have to drive up it, it is going to hurt. Going down my only advice is to put your vehicle in the lowest gear it has, let it get to whatever is the safest top speed, then slow down significantly under it with your brakes so that you can sort of pulse your way down switching between DFCO and braking (and hopefully not overheating or glossing your braking surfaces).

Yikes! I have no idea...

Only thing you could really do is park the truck at the bottom and walk home!

Yikes! I have no idea...

Only thing you could really do is park the truck at the bottom and walk home!

This sounds like the only real FE solution...

And it's something my dad did in the winter when we were in Italy (early 70s) because cars just kept getting stuck trying to use the road.

ya, unfortunately that isn't the nicest walk in the world. it takes a little while to get all the way up it and it gets pretty hot around here. luckily we don't get any snow in my area of cali so we don't have to worry about going up it in snow, but i'm pretty much at a loss of the best way to drive it efficiently is. i think i might just have to bite the bullet on this one.

I would do what Sean said "in the lowest gear." I'm not sure where the fuel cut is in a 2000 model 3.0l. I have a 96 4x4 4.0l and the fc is at 50mph or above. You are in a crawl mode so I doubt if it will engage.

good candidate for a regen system. lol.

Ouch, that hill is horrendous. I would have no idea how to tackle that hill, i'd follow right lane cruiser's advice. Better than nothing =p

I used the vuvuzelas to lighten up the hurt i saw on that hill xD

First off holy smokes!!!! Off subject but that is one expensive driveway!!! I would go with Sean because he has lots of knowledge on all this stuff!

First off holy smokes!!!! Off subject but that is one expensive driveway!!! I would go with Sean because he has lots of knowledge on all this stuff!

Ya, it was, the people who built it spent 150,000 on it and its not even finished.

What kind of numbers do you get out of your ranger 3.0 anyway? Is it 2wd?

It doesn't matter how steep or how long a grade is. There is always a way to climb it with max efficiency. A rule of thumb for grades is to use about 50% of your maximum torque for best mpg. You don't want to shift on a hill like that, so find the gear that gives you an ability to easily accelerate from about 2000 rpm on the steepest part and climb the hill at a constant speed.

Remember that you don't want to carry unnecessary weight up the hill. Leave stuff you don't use every day in the garage. Try to schedule fill-ups so you get home with a quarter tank. Never run your AC climbing the hill.

Why don't you leave the truck on the hill to use when you need to haul something and get a used motorcycle or a small used econobox? Already depriciated, they'll pay for themselves in gas savings over time.

i have been getting better lately. my average is about 25, but i just haven't logged anything in a while. and as far leaving the truck and getting a motorcycle it won't happen because i'm heading to college this fall and need my truck for work down there.

Then at least you won't have to worry about that mountain of a driveway! And 25 is pretty good with the 3.0. I have talked to guys who get around 28 with it so you have a chance at better numbers... Good bye driveway= better mpg

i have been getting better lately. my average is about 25, but i just haven't logged anything in a while. and as far leaving the truck and getting a motorcycle it won't happen because i'm heading to college this fall and need my truck for work down there.

I think he is suggesting that you leave the truck at the bottom of the hill and use the tiny car or motorcycle just for that hill.

Similar to the walking suggestion, but not quite as physical.

I think he is suggesting that you leave the truck at the bottom of the hill and use the tiny car or motorcycle just for that hill.

Similar to the walking suggestion, but not quite as physical.

That's a good suggestion, but I think I'd have to go full out and get a motorcycle for that hill because there are some cars that can't even make it up. Either way, no worth it if its only going to be a couple months, I was just wondering if there was any special way to do it.