[bwilson4web]

My recommendation is when climbing, you want to set your speed so there is little or no traction battery draw. Whatever that speed is, you'll maintain it as high as the mountain goes and your climb will be efficient.

Although your 2005 and my 2003 have very similar 1.5L engines, yours can spin up to 5,200 rpm and mine is clamped at 4,500. However, I typically look for a semi-trailer truck and use them as my pacing vehicle. This keeps the engine in a power range where it does not have to use 'fuel enrichment' to avoid overheating the catalytic converter. The fuel trim remains optimum and you'll add altitude about as efficiently as possible at the highest practical speed. Going slower is more efficient but . . . going slower???

Call this the fastest, fuel efficient speed and have a happy.

Bob Wilson