Mumbai

•4h

I have driven to Ladakh from Delhi twice before, both times in a diesel manual, and had no major issues while climbing or descending. I am planning to go again, this time in a 1.5 NA petrol automatic Brezza. I am a bit apprehensive about how to use the automatic gearbox and paddle shifters while climbing and going downhill.

•11m

You should be fine in the Brezza 1.5 NA petrol automatic on your Ladakh trip. But do keep in mind that the naturally aspirated engine will lose some power at altitude, and won't feel as effortless to drive as some older turbo-diesels. That said, the Maruti 1.5 petrol is a proven, reliable unit and will still get the job done. You do not need to worry about the torque converter automatic either. On climbs, simply use the manual mode or paddle shifters to hold a lower gear and keep the engine in its power band.

On descents too, use the same approach to hold a lower gear and use engine braking rather than riding the brakes. The Brezza is a robust, dependable car and you will not face any major issues if you drive sensibly. The only thing to keep in mind is that the car will feel a bit slower at altitude, so plan overtakes carefully and be patient on steep climbs. Otherwise, enjoy the drive - the Brezza should handle it without any drama.

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•3m

@autocar.india Tks for promt & concise response

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•21h

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