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Saturn VUE Green Line Driving Tips & Tricks

3 messages,  Last post on Mar 06, 2008 at 9:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

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#2 of 3 Re: Saturn VUE Green Line Driving Tips & Tricks [pf_flyer] by greenroger Mar 06, 2008 (8:06 am)
Replying to: pf_flyer (Oct 30, 2006 7:10 am) One tip that will save gas and make the auto-stop work longer: Look at your climate control knob (on the far right) if it is in any setting other than the Bi-level or Floor setting (knob all the way to the left or next to the left) the air conditioner will be engaged. Yes it has a button (green one) that is supposed to turn it on or off, but if the control is in any other than the two counterclockwise (left) settings it will bypass the green button and the air conditioner will be engaged in the defrost mode even in cold weather.
#3 of 3 Getting the Most out of the Saturn Hybrid Vue by hybridvue Mar 06, 2008 (9:58 am)
Replying to: pf_flyer (Oct 30, 2006 7:10 am) Given the fact that I have driven the most miles at 38,500 and have the higest lifetime documented MPG at 31.825mpg of any Saturn Hybrid Vue owner, here are the tips and tricks I use daily.   When accelerating or coasting - I have gotten the ECO light to turn on between the speeds of 19 - 79 miles per hour. Keeping the RPM's low when accelerating is a big key. The key is to ease off the gas pedal, get the ECO light to turn on and then back on the gas pedal. I think I have gotten the RMP's to 3500 once or twice - when jumping into fast moving traffic.   When breaking - I can get the ECO light to stay all the way on until I am stopped. Just make it a smooth stop and it will even go into Auto Stop.   When driving at a constant speed - if you notice that the Hybrid is neither charging or assisting and the green ECO light is on - press the gas pedal more. You will notice that the additional acceleration will come from the battery and not the gas. The green ECO light will remain on and your battery will give you that added boost.   Only use the cruise control if you are driving on flat terrain. Cruise control tends to shift hard and spike your RPMS on hills to maintain your speed. That wastes gas. On hills I do better using my driving style then using cruise control.   When using the AC keep it in the Green Mode. Try not to have the fan on past the second setting or the Auto Stop will not kick in. Same story with the heater.   Warming up your Hybrid is a waste of time and gas. The only time you should warm up your Hybrid is to clean off the windows or to defog. Your safety and the safety of others is always more important than mpgs. Remember if you are sitting still you are not getting any mpgs.   This next section is my personal style. I have mastered getting the battery to either charge or assist. I rarely have the gauge in the middle. I have found that the Saturn Hybrid Vue with its belt alternator starter (BAS) system, works best if it is either charging or assisting. So that is what I do. On my daily 45 mile commute each way - I use different sections to charge the battery and different ones to assist. For example, I have a two mile downslope about 10 miles into my commute. I use that section to coast and regenerate the battery. By the time I get to the bottom of the hill - my charge guage barely moves to left. This tells me that the battery is fully charged.   How do I do this? As I start the 2 mile downslope of a four lane highway (I am in the far right lane), I slowly accelerate the Hybrid to 65mph using the assist. Once I get to 65mph I then coast - the charge/assist gague swings all the way to the left. I coast down to 55mph. I can get a good 15-25 seconds of driving with the charge all the way to the left. I then accelerate back up to 65mph using the assist and coast again back to 55mph. This time the guage starts off all the way to the left and then slowly works its way back to the middle. By the time I am at the bottom of the slope the gauge is close to the middle and I know the battery is fully charged.   All the while - my ECO light remains on. I also keep a eye on the traffic behind me to make sure I am not impeeding the traffic. With the battery charged I take the next 20 miles at 65-70mph using the assist and maintaining the ECO light the rest of the way. This method has become second nature. I do not even look at the gauges but I focus on the road and the traffic around me. By the way, the first 5 miles and last 7 miles of my commute are stop and go. The last 7 miles - when I stop the auto stop always kicks in. Regardless of temp outside. I have found that the Hybrid works best when the temps are 60 degrees F and above.   By the way – my driving style has even been profiled on the local ABC affiliate here in Baltimore.   My driving style applies to Hybrids and Regular cars alike - smooth accelerations and declerations - watching the flow of traffic and driving "smart smooth". Getting good gas mileage does not mean you drive 45mph and are holding up traffic. If you did not notice the Hybrid logos on my Saturn - you would not even know I was driving a Hybrid. When the traffic allows - I am moving with the flow - usually at or slightly above the spped limit.   Using my driving style - the cold weather has not taken the bite out of my mpgs as it has done with others. My Winter average is about 31mpg and during the Summer 32.8mpg.   I have offer this to others - if anyone wants to come along for a demo becuase they do not believe the mpg I get - just come along for the ride.   I love my Saturn Hybrid Vue

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