As for gearing down ...we wouldn't dream of climbing a steep hill Other than in low. I have driven a standard transmission for 30 years...3 Hondas and a Sentra...all new cars and all no problems.Am I frustrated?

I didn't mention it before but we also have a problem with our battery going dead. In less than 1 year we are on battery number 3. After 5 days without use, the battery is dead...nothing. You jump start it and away it goes. The dealership people keep checking our car and saying nothing is wrong.We l...

If you have to slow down (due to traffic) going up a steep hill, in low gear, the rpms fall. You then have to rev it and ride the clutch up the hill. If you have to stop (due to traffic) completely (with more than 2 people), the car stalls and will not move no matter how high you rev it. This is a h...

I have a 2007 Vibe. At low altitudes the power is fine but at high altitudes (over about 5000 ft), there is a noticeable difference in power. On steep hills, if you have to slow down the car stalls. I have had to ask a person to get out so I could make it up the hill. The car has a standard transmis...