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Mazda Tribute Hybrid - READ ONLY

14 messages,  Last post on Jul 22, 2008 at 9:07 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda Tribute Hybrid

Messages Page 2 of 2

#9 of 14 Re: Mazda Hybrid Tribute [pleasden] ECON button? by dmbflorida

Jul 01, 2008 (10:39 pm)

Replying to: pleasden (Jun 15, 2008 10:50 pm)
I have not driven the hybrid Tribute GT I bought for my grand-daughter and I was surprised when she said recently after a 700 mile highway trip that her mpg was 25 recently. I wonder if there is a special setting she does not use? Specifically, what is the ECON button?
She runs the gas engine constantly to run the A/C in our hot SW Florida heat so this accounts greatly for the poor fuel consumption...Previously, the mpg was over 30. She stops and starts too, I think, without turning off the engine when going through fast food lanes or similar shopping.

#10 of 14 Re: Mazda Hybrid Tribute [pleasden] ECON button? [dmbflorida] by gagrice

Jul 02, 2008 (6:06 am)

Replying to: dmbflorida (Jul 01, 2008 10:39 pm)
If she is sitting in line at McDonald's with the AC running the engine will keep kicking on to charge the batteries. If she is getting 25 MPG combined it is about what she can expect. Getting the most from a hybrid requires patience and skill. If she drives the same as with any other vehicle she is just about on track. Unless she needs the off road clearance the Prius or Civic hybrid would have given her much better mileage. You can be assured she would not have gotten that good with any of the Japanese hybrid CUVs.

#11 of 14 Re: Mazda Hybrid Tribute [pleasden] ECON button? [dmbflorida] [gagrice] by dmbflorida

Jul 02, 2008 (7:12 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jul 02, 2008 6:06 am)
Does she press an "ECON" button to stay in battery mode for a short time at low speed? With the ECON button function, does it stay on and automatically alternates between battery and gas engine? I assume that if there is no need for A/C., she could stay in the ECON mode. Is the ECON button near the navigation display on the dashboard?
I saw a picture of the ECON button on a different Ford car. thanks, DMB

#12 of 14 Re: Mazda Hybrid Tribute [pleasden] ECON button? [dmbflorida] [gagrice] by larsb

Jul 02, 2008 (11:28 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jul 02, 2008 6:06 am)
Highlander hybrid is about 26 MPG combined in real world.
 
Mariner hybrid is about 30.
 
Tribute will be very close to the middle

#13 of 14 Re: Mazda Hybrid Tribute [pleasden] ECON button? [dmbflorida] [gagrice] [la by dmb12

Jul 02, 2008 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: larsb (Jul 02, 2008 11:28 am)
The recently revised EPA ratings still can be expected to be a bit lower in mpg than the sticker rating of the hybrid Tribute. Even so, it is my understanding that the HYBRIDS Mariner, Escape and Tribute all have the same CVT and a form of the Hybrid Synergy Drive bought from Toyota (by FORD). I would expect the sticker ratings and realistic performance in the Mariner, Escape and Tribute (hybrids only) to be the same.
I looked at all these in the 2008 model and it is my opinion that the only difference is in the interior and the Escape has the cheapest interior, the Mariner has a better interior and the Tribute has the best interior, particularly in the upgraded interiors in all of these models. I found a graphic of the ECON button on the dashboard and a .pdf file of the manual so I understand now what the ECON button looks like.

#14 of 14 Re: Mazda Hybrid Tribute [pleasden] ECON button? [dmbflorida] [gagrice] [la [dmb12] by stevedebi

Jul 22, 2008 (9:07 pm)

Replying to: dmb12 (Jul 02, 2008 5:51 pm)
" Even so, it is my understanding that the HYBRIDS Mariner, Escape and Tribute all have the same CVT and a form of the Hybrid Synergy Drive bought from Toyota (by FORD)."
 
No, this is incorrect. Ford developed their eCVT independently, but both Toyota and Ford arrived at similar designs. However, Ford owns about 200 unique patents for hybrid technology, so Ford and Toyota swapped patent rights, simply to avoid legal confusion.
 
The eCVT is a unique product. Ford is on Gen 2, Toyota is just about to go to Gen 3.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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