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Hybrid Vehicles Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid Saturn VUE Green Line - Real World MPG Numbers
84 messages, Last post on Jan 12, 2009 at 2:47 PM
You are in the Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
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Replying to: greenroger (Feb 14, 2008 1:14 pm) The 12-second shutoff time is too short (as I'm sure you're aware). That issue needs to be addressed at your dealer. However, charging the engine battery in order to increase shutoff time is absolutely pointless. The 12VDC engine battery is not part of the hybrid system and is primarily there for engine starting only. There may be an issue with the hybrid battery, as many have had. This is the 36VDC battery under the rear shelf, and (obviously) cannot be charged at home. In addition, the early shutoff (such as at a stop sign) is incorporated with fuel shutoff during deceleration, so it can't (and certainly shouldn't) be adjusted. That's part of the hybrid driving experience. You seem to have many complaints about the car that could have been noticed during a thorough test drive, such as the wiper delay. I do agree that the cruise is rather abrupt to reengage, but certainly not enough to lose control of the vehicle.
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Watch your tire pressure folks. I lost 5-8 MPG with 25PSI in the tires. I pumped them up to 34 - 36 PSI and I am back up to 25 - 27 MPG, with mostly city and back roads driving. Highway I am 30+ MPG... I also tried a K&N air filter to boost MPG, but found that MPG actually went down. With the added air flow from the K&N thinking the opposite effect on MPG for the hybrid compared with a conventional engine. Any thoughts on this and theory's would be appreciated. Overall very happy with the VGL... |
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Replying to: tackepj (Feb 17, 2008 3:23 pm) I purchased a used 2004 Toyota Matrix SRX 6spd manual. this has the 180 hp motor. I drive stop and go city driving in Los angeles, I get between 23 and 24 mpg. I drive normally with flow of traffica and give it 2/3rds throttle to pass the big SUVs, Trucks and Busses blocking the road and belching exhaust fume. once and a while I'll red line it at 8,000 rpm in first. I never get into 5th or 6th gear. if I remember I will short shift, but this motors doesn't lke low rpm. and I never coast. In order to get close to the advertized mileage in hybred you have learn to drive and coast, low throttle. I don;t think it is worth it to drive this way when you can still get good mileage with a 4 cylinder manual car driving like normally. I thank everyone for confirming my original opinions about hybreds.
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Replying to: nagatahawk (Apr 02, 2008 10:16 am) I have a pontiac torrent 2007 and I get 16-17mpg in mixd 50/50 driving. The Vue is slightly smaller than my torrent but many here are getting 25mpg up to 34mpg depending on driving conditions . I don't know about you but a 10mpg increase is a great thing and the 2009 vue's and 2010 plug in vues should get better mileage. These hybrids are all new even the prius in comparison to the ICE set up . We are talking about a decade old system vs ice's that are over a 100 years old |
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I am driving a Honda Accord 4 cylinder and typically get 27 mpg winter and 29-30 summer (25 mile commute on back roads at about 50 mph). Doesn't sound like the Vue is a lot better. I used to drive Geo Metros (I've owned 4), but my wife wanted me to drive a car that was closer in mass to other vehicles on the road. (I've been married long enough to know pleasing my wife is smarter than saving on gas! I disagreed with her premise about safety. My son wrapped one Metro around a tree; car was totalled, but he and passenger were uninjured. I hit a deer and a few months later got hit in the left front by an SUV. Again, no injuries to me. So, I consider them to be safe.) You can't beat the mileage. My first one got 48 - 50 mpg. The others were closer to 45 - 48 mpg. Didn't seem to make a significant difference if I was driving in town or on the interstates. Only had a 10 gallon tank, but I could get to D. C. from Columbus, Ohio and part way home before filling up. All but one were 3 cylinder models. Not good for mountain terrain - hard to keep up to speed through West Virginia on the route from Columbus to Washington. I got stopped for speeding (70 mph) on a flat stretch, but told the officer I didn't see how that was possible as I couldn't do that without really pushing hard to keep the gas to the floor! BUT, for getting back and forth to work and even for some long trips for two people and luggage, they were great!
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Replying to: pelaspan (Apr 04, 2008 7:08 pm) Number one: Your mileage may vary, and your commute may vary. Comparing just one car to another, in different driving conditions, is relatively pointless. Number two: Comparing a Toyota Matrix and Honda Accord to a Saturn VUE is nearly as pointless. Both are cars (one quite small), and the VUE is a reasonable sized SUV. They are very different vehicles. brianmav, right on about the K&N and tire pressure. Most folks haven't had any success with the K&N boosting mileage--usually makes it worse, as it's designed to allow more free flow of air, which corresponds to more gas as well. I also keep the TP around 36 and found it makes a big difference compared to the high 20's (factory spec is 35). |
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Oct 30, 2006 6:48 am) |
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Hi Folks, My wife siezed the 2007 Vue GreenLine last year by eminent domain because she likes to sit high. We just traded in our 2002 LW300 wagon for a 2008 Vue XR. My wife never got used to the brakes on the GreenLine, so she took the new XR and I got the GreenLine back. She only fills up every 2 weeks, regardless of vehicle. I have a 26 mile commute (round trip), high speed to bumper to bumper, nasty Philly roads and drivers. We had a problem with the electrical harness, which was replaced under warranty. Not happy about that. Others have reported a variety of electrical problems, battery problems, etc. Not an insignificant issue when considering buying a GreenLine. Read the posts of customers with problems. BE AWARE!!! I typically average about 25 mpg in the GreenLine. Observations: 1. This 2007 GreenLine is a mid-size SUV, not a compact car or a small SUV. Compare the mileage to other mid-size SUVs. The 2007 cost us less than the V6 XE model. The 2007 4 cylinder Vue was a weak mover, I test drove one. If you want a small 4 cylinder SUV, go get a Honda CRV. 2. You have to learn how to drive a hybrid. They have regenerative breaks to charge the battery, charge the battery when the car is coasting, have an engine shut-off, etc. If you are not willing to re-learn some driving habits, a hybrid (regardless of type) is probably not for you. 3. I characterize the Vue GL as a 4 cylinder plus vehicle. The acceleration is about the same as our old Chevy Malibu 6 cylinder. The 4 cylinder, with the added torque from the electric motor, is better than the 4 cylinder alone. This is not a V6 XR model, don't expect it to be. 4. HybridVue gives some very good advice, despite being somewhat neurotic about his mileage (how is that for a back-handed compliment). Charge the battery, discharge the battery. Learn to use "the coast", especially on down hill sections of the road, to charge the battery. Think ahead at intersections and use "the coast" to charge the battery. If you have a Lead Foot and like to hard accerate the Hybrid Vue is probabaly not for you. Lead Foots should get an XR. Accelerate at a reasonable pace/rpm. 5. You can do this without aggravating other drivers. 6. I typically use a gallon per day on my 26 mile commute with the Vue GL. This will go down to 23-24 during the summer when I use the air conditioner alot. I use it in the non-green mode (personal choice). I hate humidity. My mileage decreases a little, I don't whine about it. 7. My 2002 LW300 was using 3/4 of a tank for 5 days commuting, 8-9 gallons of gas. I now use about 5 gallons of gas for the 5 day commute. I have switched from a 6 cylinder station wagon to a 4 cylinder mid-size. I am saving $40-$50 per month in gas. 8. I have seen no posts on the 2008 GreenLine.
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Replying to: chmsomm (May 16, 2008 4:28 pm) I have been able to calculate mare accurately after a few tanks. Averaging 27.8 mpg in the 2007 Vue GreenLine. 26 mile round trip commute 50-50 burb and highway driving and weekend suburban driving. Traffic in our burbs is typically moderate, sometimes heavy, rarely light. With gas now $4/gallon, a year after the purchase, I am very satisfied to drive a mid-size SUV that gets this mileage. Due to rather horrendous injuries I sustained as a passenger in a compact car that was T-boned by a minivan this is a good solution (a larger/higher vehicle with good gas mileage). |
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Replying to: chmsomm (May 16, 2008 4:28 pm) 103rd Tank 18+ Months of ownership 46,090 Miles - 103 Fillups Lifetime Avg 32.129 mpg. Even with Gas at $3.979 per gallon my gas costs are only ~12 cents per mile. Saturn Hybrid Vue Records (for the 2007 Model) - Best tank under 200 miles 37.7mpg Moms GL - Bob Best Tank over 200 miles - 37.24mpg Saturn Hybrid Vue Farthest on a single tank without running out of gas: 561.9 miles Saturn Hybrid Vue (I never overfill the tank.) Most tanks in a row at 30mpg or better 31 Tanks Smokey John Most tanks in a row at 32mpg or better 14 Tanks Saturn Hybrid Vue Here are my detailed stats: 88 out of the 103 tanks have averaged over 30mpg. 54 out of the 103 tanks have averaged over 32mpg. 22 out of the 103 tanks have averaged over 34mpg. 4 out of the 103 tanks have averaged over 36mpg. MPG since 3/1/2008 - 33.71 mpg over 8,120 miles. Cold Weather MPG (November 1 - February 28) 30.73 mpg 15,555 Miles Warm Weather MPG (March 1 - October 31) 32.89 mpg 30,570 Miles As you can see these numbers are well over the EPA estimates. The technology is there with this Hybrid. However, it is also ones driving style that allows you to get the most out of this or any vehicle. Keep in mind - smooth accelerations and stops allow the battery to do what it is designed to do - Assist and Charge. HybridVue gives some very good advice, despite being somewhat neurotic about his mileage (how is that for a back-handed compliment). Thanks for the compliment. I enjoy the statistical take and analyzing the numbers. However, my neurosis only effects my analyzing of data. If you were driving behind me or sitting as a passenger you would not notice any of my techniques just the smooth ride. I love my Hybrid Vue. 
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