SilverSport Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Just got back from our first long trip in our 350. The particulars: Route: Denver to Palm Springs (attended a conference there) via I25, I40, I17 and I10; Palm Springs to Yosemite (vacation) via I10, I5, CA99, CA41, Yosemite to Denver via CA41, CA99, CA58, I15 and I70. Miles: approx 3,150 Mileage: low tank average of 25.4 to a high tank average of 31.3 (got 28.7 from Grand Junction to Denver over the mountains!). (How does a 300HP vehicle get 31MPG while driving 80MPH??) Speed: ran most of the time on cruise control between 80 and 85 on the Interstates Driving low point: the 18-wheeler traffic on I40 between Albuquerque and Flagstaff was almost unbearable. Driving high point: the winding road into/out of Yosemite from Fish Camp. The car was glued to the road going through well-banked curves like a roller coaster car. It was a hoot to drive. Very cool with the nav set to the 700 foot scale as I could anticipate the curves, knowing beforehand whether they were left, right, sharp, wide, etc. - was a lot like the course-wide window in a car racing video game. If you ever get a chance to drive that road in your IS, do it! Problems; none, other than I got a low tire pressure warning on a 34 degree morning in Yosemite. Added air and the warning cleared. Comfort: I usually have problems with my tailbone bothering me and with the stiffness of the suspension in the car (sport package) I bought a couple of Tush Cushes at a back store before we left. They were a tremendous help. The car was comfortable for long hours of driving (two days of 12 hours, three of 7 hours) Handling: the car is so stable on the highway that it was really effortless at highway speeds. Easiest long drive I've ever made. Again, drive that Yosemite highway to really see what the car is like! Gotta talk about the nav system. I had pre-programmed the hotels in so all I had to do was pull them up from the "previous" list. What a great tool. We always knew how far we had to go, where the rest stops were, which exits had gas stations/food. When in unfamiliar areas, we just put addresses in for resturants, etc. and drove right there. Pulled the hotel off the "previous" list to return. Never had to watch road signs in the dark - could pay attention to driving. We wanted to find a post office, so I pulled that up easily too. On the way back home I even searched for a hotel to stay at in various towns along the way and called ahead to make sure that I could get a room (hands-free Bluetooth is great too). After having done a long trip with nav, I would never do another one without it. It's a tremendous tool! Oh, yeah, gotta use the "hack" to be able to use the system while driving. This was one of the best car trips we've ever done. Stayed at the Westin Rancho Mirage for the conference. Visited Joshua Tree National Park one afternoon. Spent 2 days in Yosemite - stayed at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp. Very nice place - highly recommend it! It was our first time in Yosemite and we only got to see part of the park due to bad weather closing roads. Now we need to go back - and do it in the IS! Anyone else driven long distances in your IS?
SParker1tx Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Wow that sounds great!! Amazing trip it sounds like and im surprised about how much and how helpful the navigation system is! I really wish I would have gotten it in my new IS but dad wouldent do it :( My mom has it in her new GS though! Im going to Yellowstone this summer, should be exciting!
ry729 Posted October 13, 2006 Posted October 13, 2006 awesome. makes me more excited to sign this weekend (=
rhsmd Posted November 7, 2006 Posted November 7, 2006 hey. i'm also in colorado. so what is this nav hack thanks.
SilverSport Posted November 7, 2006 Author Posted November 7, 2006 This has been posted a bunch of times, but here it is again: Press Menu Press Volume Press the Top Left Corner of the Screen Press the Bottom Left Corner of the Screen Press the Top Left Corner of the Screen Press the Bottom Left Corner of the Screen A Menu will come up. Press and Hold Override for 5 seconds or until you hear a beep Hit back and you are done, you should be able to enter destinations while driving.
350 BY-U Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 Your trip sounds like the makings of a great commercial.......I'll have my people call your people and we'll make it happen........... :D
gml416 Posted November 16, 2006 Posted November 16, 2006 yea soungs exciting im am also GOING on a trip from knoxville to TAMPA FLORiDA so im very excited tOO<! :P
Michael-MA Posted February 14, 2007 Posted February 14, 2007 This has been posted a bunch of times, but here it is again: Press Menu Press Volume Press the Top Left Corner of the Screen Press the Bottom Left Corner of the Screen Press the Top Left Corner of the Screen Press the Bottom Left Corner of the Screen A Menu will come up. Press and Hold Override for 5 seconds or until you hear a beep Hit back and you are done, you should be able to enter destinations while driving. This does not work in the 2007 model.
bchfof Posted April 12, 2007 Posted April 12, 2007 yea soungs exciting im am also GOING on a trip from knoxville to TAMPA FLORiDA so im very excited tOO<! :P Good luck on your trip!...hopefully you can stay out of Atlanta traffic. Its almost as bad as LA, but hey its still home for me, and my IS =).
juno_reaction Posted April 13, 2007 Posted April 13, 2007 Chyea, I agree with bchfof. That ATL is out of control! Worst place to drive (other than Puerto Rico)
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