05-04-2007, 12:52 PM
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Active Enthusiast
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Real Name: Michael
Hybrids: Saturn Vue 2007
Posts: 99
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Re: Saturn Vue Hypermileing Tips
Excellent tips from firenurse4.
Kudos - you have gotten the hang of driving the Saturn Hybrid Vue to its fullest - hence your constantly improving mpg!!!
On this end I have a few tips of my own -
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 easy 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 accerlation 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.
In addition, if you a driving on a long downhill - let the Hybrid coast to regenerate the battery. You will find that when you press the gas pedal the assist will really kick in.
I rarely use the cruise control. I find I can do a much better job smoothing my ride than the cruise control can. The only exception is a completely flat drive.
As for the ScanGuage - it is a nice tool, but I do not use one. I am too busy focused on the road ahead and changing the radio.
Getting great gas mileage is good but being a smooth driver is even better. Here is the kicker - with my driving style you would be hard pressed to pick me out of the crowd. I don't employ "Pulse and Glide" techniques that I have read from some of the Prius/Civic owners. I zip along at 75mpg when the situation allows and move with the flow of traffic. My sweet spot is probably closer to 60mph. If I drove slower I may get even better gas mileage but it would make my 45 mile commute (each way) even longer.
If I did not have the Hybrid Saturn logo on the Vue - you would not know that I was driving a Hybrid. 
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