Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (June 2005, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
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???
Comments: To: Lisa Bliss <blissx3@EARTHLINK.NET>
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


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.