Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 12:05:12 -0700
Reply-To: Zoltan <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Zoltan <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Subject: Re: newbie - where is the gas???
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original
I can smell the burning clutch from here.
When starting off on uphill, one would use the handbrake to from rolling
back and only let it out when the vehicle is wanting to pull forward. This
way there is no roll back. When engaging clutch, one should try to avoid
high revs in order to save the clutch from burning off or over heating the
steel plates that engage the clutch plate.
I understand that steep hills would require more power to pull the car up,
but flooring the gas is really not needed. There is enough power in this
car to take you up any incline that is paved, without flooring the pedal.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa Bliss" <blissx3@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 11:39 AM
Subject: newbie - where is the gas???
All,
As you know, I am a new to the vanagon and to this list. I am trying to
learn the ins and outs of my vehicle before I leave for Colorado. Yesterday
I was in a carpool line that was located on a narrow gravel driveway that
also curved and went uphill. This involved a series of stops and starts on
an incline. I learned to drive on a manual transmission and have driven
various manual transmission cars over my lifetime. For 8 years I drove a 94
Ford Explorer with a manual transmission, so I know how to drive a heavy
vehicle with a stick shift. Lets just say that my heart skipped a few
beats when I got more than the expected bit of rollback every time I
started up the hill from a stop. I totally freaked out the driver behind me
when it looked like I was about to roll backwards into her. It seems that I
had to floor the gas every time and even with the gas floored it took a
second or two to get going. I know the vanagon engine is not powerful. I
expect this problem to be even more pronounced when the vehicle is loaded
with gear.
Is this normal? Just a matter of me getting used to the feel of the clutch?
Does it suggest a fuel line or other problem?
I will be taking a trip to Asheville NC this weekend so I will get a taste
of driving in the mountains.
Lisa Bliss
87 Westy "Bree"
Atlanta, GA
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