RAID outofAUSTRIA 2009
austria is dominated by the alps. you will see this soon if you don´t know by now.
so we are used to drive on hillclimbing turning roads with our 2CVs.
some tips following for you if you miss the experience.
of course you can avoid to climb over the mountains with your car by using highways and tunnels (under toll), but maybe you will miss a lot of wonderful views and satisfaction.
take care of roads closed for trailers.
the 2CV is very competitive on pass-roads, depending on the short rated gear box and the well cooled engine. so you can be succesfull on tracks rated even higher than 20%.
by climbing above on mountain roads it is important to shift back on lower gear in time to let the engine reach maximum torque.
only at changing to first gear try to reach very low speed to be gentle to unsynchronised gear.
stay under the red marks on your speedometer. it is easier for your engine to run with lower gear and less acceleration , than with higher gear and maximum acceleration.
by driving down the mountain it is neccesary to use engine for braking.
tip: select the same gear downhills as you would have to take above.
if you find on top the sign of gradient “20%” or more – slow down – first gear and go on.
if your gear fit, you will only have to brake before turns. on straight roads only engine should keep your speed into limit.
correct braking means: many times short and strong pushing – never use permanent soft pushes.
if you suffer on overheating brake system, it depends on bad use or on bad maintenance.
the construction is strong enough to stand alpine use. main problem is too old brake fluid.
change dot-fluid (drumbrakes) every two years, lhm-fluid (discbrakes) every three years – or before the raid.
for general: if you are only used to drive on flat roads you will not suffer on bad maintenance so soon, but when you climb on mountain roads you will have to face the real performance of your system.
when did you change your brake fluid for the last time?
RAID outofAUSTRIA 2009