02-26-2008, 11:32 AM
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Active Enthusiast
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Real Name: Michael
Hybrids: Saturn Vue 2007
Posts: 101
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Re: Newbie needs help!
Excellent!! 
Just as I suspected - not a full tank when you drove it off the lot.
Sounds like you have a good basis for your Hybrid Vue driving. When the temps start to warm up 65 and above - you should see an improvement in the mpg. Given your travel pattern and style - I guestimate you will approach 29-30 mpg on a regular basis.
To answer a few questions-
- I never warm up my Vue
As to which method is better - warm up for 5 and get auto stop eariler or drive immediately and wait for the auto stop to happen - they probably are both the same in the long run. You waste gas when warming up the Hybrid at a stand still - but you waste gas when get to a light and the Auto Stop does not kick in. Pick your style - I think it is even.
Should I be able to get both the ECO light and battery assist going at the same time at speeds under 55 miles per hour?
- Under the right driving conditions - I can get the ECO light on, Battery Assist on, while driving 65 miles per hour and going up hill. It is all a matter of being gentle on the gas pedal and keeping momentum. I can also get the ECO light and Battery Assist on under 55 if the Hybrid has been driving for 10 minutes regardless of temperature.
Can I assume whenever the battery assist is being shown, that even without my ECO light I should be getting pretty good mpg cause of the electric engine taking on part of the work?
- Not necessarily. If you are gunning the Hybrid up the hill - of course the assist will kick in. But you are wasting gas because of the rapid acceleration. Be easy on the gas pedal if the situation warrents it.
Remember smooth drivers do not hold up traffic - they just go with the flow.
As for the assist always helping even when it is at the 12 o'clock position - I am not sure. Saturn does not go into that level of detail. Heck - they did not even release sales numbers for the 2007 Hybrid Vue. They lumped it in with the regular Vue. My guestimate is 4000-6000 2007 Hybrid Vues on the roads. So consider yourself part of a select group.
Please keep us posted on your findings and welcome aboard. 
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