I can tell you that I frequently need to shift down to take a hill.  I
usually try to get a good running start at them.  :)

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of ed maikranz
Sent: May 30, 2002 18:38
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Got a new 81 Westy

Greetings. Just brought home my new 81 Westy
yesterday.  It is in great shape, lots of new stuff on
it.  I have been driving a 74 Westy for a couple of
years and am curious about the hi-way speed of the 81.
It really seems to struggle on the hills, even ones
that I considered to be very slight grades the van did
not take them well, quite often I had to down shift to
make it.  Is this a common Vanagon trait or should I
be looking into some things?

Thanks,
Ed Maikranz
Abilene, Texas
81 Westy
74 Westy
71 Superbeetle

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