Welcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are features you can't use and images you can't see. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: Join our community! |
| Driving over rockies | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 27 2011, 10:46 AM (658 Views) | |
| SirThom | Dec 27 2011, 10:46 AM Post #1 |
|
New Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Has anyone driven over the rockies in a Geo metro? I have a 95 w/automatic transmission in pretty good condition (low rust) and I'm trying to convince my girlfriend to road trip with me out to Seattle this summer (from Illinois) to see my brother. She has heard horror stories about how dangerous it is to drive over the rockies and is afraid of a breakdown on the way. The car has served me loyally since this summer when I bought it (except for initial repairs to replace the fuel tank assembly, pcv valve and a rusty tie bar - now it has a stiff suspension, doesn't burn oil and I always hear a satisfying hiss when I open the fuel cap at a gas station), I've been driving it about 60 miles a day on my commute, and I usually try not to go much over 55 even when I go on the tollway (where the limit is 65). In the winter it does sometimes stall if I accelerate too quickly in the first 5 minutes of driving before the car is warmed up. The mechanic who replaced my tie bar thinks that the Geo is in great condition. It apparently spent the first 10 years of its life working for the city of Skokie, IL (I suspect as a car driven by the folks who patrol for handing out parking tickets). Edit: Just to clarify, this would be a summer trip. Edited by SirThom, Dec 27 2011, 01:07 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| idmetro | Dec 27 2011, 10:52 AM Post #2 |
![]()
|
Don't let the horror stories sway you, they are almost always told by someone who created the bad situation for themselves. Assuming the car is in as good of repair as described, it can certainly make the trip. Whether or not the relationship would survive is at this time unknown... You will experiece some long slow uphill treks, especially with an automatic but it can be done. Allow plenty of time and enjoy the journey. |
![]() |
|
| econoboxer | Dec 27 2011, 12:10 PM Post #3 |
|
I am the one on the left.
![]()
|
I personally wouldn't do it in the winter, any other time and I'd be all over a trip like that. If you plan your trip well, and weather cooperates, you shouldn't have a problem, however, if you get a storm, you will be very unhappy not to have 4 wheel drive. nine months out of the year, I wouldn't hesitate to take my metro on a trip like this. You just happen to be asking at I time I would call it a No Go. Every person has their own level of acceptable risk, and you have to decide if you think you can handle the unique driving conditions that exist in the winter with the terrain. I have no idea how the automatics perform having never owned or driven an auto metro. If you do go, these are things I would highly recommend packing Chains that fit your tires. Toolbox with metric open end wrenches, a socket set in metric with various extensions, a pair of dyke cutters, some zip ties, some wire, 14-16 gauge, a few feet of it. Jumper cables, At least one zero degree rated sleeping bag, but if you have the room, one for each passenger. Water, some for you, some for your car. Oil. Some food that can be eaten in a true emergency. All your other things. Happy trails to you. |
![]() |
|
| mazade | Dec 27 2011, 12:26 PM Post #4 |
|
Jack of All Trades, Master of None
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Well I live between two of the Rockies fronts along I-90. There's Lookout Pass(towards Cour D'Alene, ID), and Homestake Pass(next to Butte, MT). I honestly look forward to taking one of our metro's over Homestake Pass, but it's a 5-spd manual. I do know a guy with a beat-up 1.3L/Auto metro, and he's traversed Homestake Pass a number of times gong back and forth between here and Wyoming.... if anyones metro was prone to Pass failure, it would likely be his. You should be fine. |
![]() |
|
| 99metro | Dec 27 2011, 02:39 PM Post #5 |
|
putt-putt
![]()
|
I drove Wolf Creek Pass (Colorado) back and forth one time in my 5-speed small block (1.0L). Let's just say that while I was driving I was able to smell the flowers along the way. For a summer trip, I'd make sure the seats were comfortable and you have plenty of patience. Most of those interstates out west are 75 mph, but expect to be passed a lot. I know Oregon is 65 mph max, not sure about Washington. Some of the steeper hills might slow you down a bit. Also, it can be a bit claustrophobic if you're used to something a bit bigger. If you can run reliably in the city, then it should run even better on the highway. I always carry a quart of oil, a tire plug kit, and a small basic metric set (plus a wrench to fit the cam sprocket bolt - I think 17mm). It's always good to carry a timing belt. That's something that can be changed on the side of the road if need be. Make sure the spare tire has air in it (mine was without air when I bought the car). Enjoy the ride! |
![]() |
|
| Bad Bent | Dec 27 2011, 09:46 PM Post #6 |
|
Facetious Educated Donkey
![]()
|
Good advice, eh. I have taken my Geo on two vacations from Central Idaho to Southern California with side trips through Arizona. Most interstate highways are limited to 7% IIRC. This may mean that you will have to down shift to 4th or even 3rd but hey, it's an economy car with ~1/3 the horsepower of most regular cars. Most of the time in hills I treat mine like a 4 speed and 5th is an overdrive for economy and putting along at 50-60 mph. On the highway I will do 65-70 just figuring that adding 10 mph over 10 hours of driving saves me 2 hours of driving.I carry a timing belt and an alternator belt. My tools probably weight 15 lbs but are worth it.
|
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
![]() Our users say it best: "Zetaboards is the best forum service I have ever used." |
|
| « Previous Topic · The Geo Metro Lounge · Next Topic » |


Welcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.


![]](http://z3.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)






Most of the time in hills I treat mine like a 4 speed and 5th is an overdrive for economy and putting along at 50-60 mph. On the highway I will do 65-70 just figuring that adding 10 mph over 10 hours of driving saves me 2 hours of driving.

2:19 PM Jul 11