Vue 5grs Automatic Rpm's High

[3der]

2003 SATURN VUE- I AM INTERESTED IN BUYING THE V6 5SPD, I FOUND IN THE TEST DRIVE THAT THE REVS CLIMBED RATHER HIGH, 5500, UNDER WHAT I WOULD CALL NORMAL ACCELERATION. IS THIS DUE TO THE LEARNING FACTOR RESPONDING TO OTHER TEST DRIVES OR IS THIS THE WAY THEY ARE? I WOULD LIKE A SHIFT RPM AROUND 3 TO 4 THOUSAND FOR ECONOMY AND REDUCED ENGINE NOISE. CAN IT BE PROGRAMMED TO RESPOND IN THIS FASHION? OTHERWISE I AM KIND OF SOLD ON THE VEHICLE.

THANKS, RON

[Gerry Proctor]

It greatly depends on how much you press on the accellerator pedal. If you use a little less enthusiasm, you'll find the shift rpm much lower. You do get more rpm when the engine is cold, but when warm, the harder you press, the higher the rpm before the shift.

I think that once you adjust to all the things that are different with the VUE (electric steering assist, fly by wire throttle) you'll be able to modulate the controls to have the car respond the way you want it to.

The five speed auto is very well matched to the car and engine torque characteristics. It does use fuzzy logic but it is more a function of your driving habits.

[OhioVueBoy]

It is only trying to get to speed like you are requesting with your foot. It will learn somewhat, but still, I, a 20 year old leadfoot, regularly see 4500 rpm shifts in a V6 VUE around town, and have never seen one climb that high when my foot wasn't in it.
~D.J.~

[L300Boy]

Originally posted by 3der
2003 SATURN VUE- I AM INTERESTED IN BUYING THE V6 5SPD, I FOUND IN THE TEST DRIVE THAT THE REVS CLIMBED RATHER HIGH, 5500, UNDER WHAT I WOULD CALL NORMAL ACCELERATION. IS THIS DUE TO THE LEARNING FACTOR RESPONDING TO OTHER TEST DRIVES OR IS THIS THE WAY THEY ARE? I WOULD LIKE A SHIFT RPM AROUND 3 TO 4 THOUSAND FOR ECONOMY AND REDUCED ENGINE NOISE. CAN IT BE PROGRAMMED TO RESPOND IN THIS FASHION? OTHERWISE I AM KIND OF SOLD ON THE VEHICLE.

THANKS, RON

Unfortunately, saturn corp does not give us the option to calibrate the fly-by-wire throttle input or shift points. This is all determined via software.

On my L300 (with the same engine and fly-by-wire system, sans similar transmission) I am able to "shift" using a little bit of foot pedal modulation. Back off the gas and re-apply, this will usually cause the car to shift. Otherwise it will climb to redline each time when you floor it.

I have never driven a VUE, but word on the street is about 8 1/2 seconds 0-60 under full throttle acceleration, which is more than enough. But its no drag racer either -- its an SUV.

If you are looking for an SUV that can score a flat 6 seconds 0-60 in half throttle acceleration, i dont think the VUE (or any SUV under $40k) is for you

[jman]

Originally Posted by L300Boy

Unfortunately, saturn corp does not give us the option to calibrate the fly-by-wire throttle input or shift points. This is all determined via software.

On my L300 (with the same engine and fly-by-wire system, sans similar transmission) I am able to "shift" using a little bit of foot pedal modulation. Back off the gas and re-apply, this will usually cause the car to shift. Otherwise it will climb to redline each time when you floor it.

I have never driven a VUE, but word on the street is about 8 1/2 seconds 0-60 under full throttle acceleration, which is more than enough. But its no drag racer either -- its an SUV.

If you are looking for an SUV that can score a flat 6 seconds 0-60 in half throttle acceleration, i dont think the VUE (or any SUV under $40k) is for you

I've noticed that I can get it to shift using some pedal modulation I can get the Vue to downshift closer to when I want it to, however it is till quite touchy on the upshift. Could this be because of the learning curve? After all I do floor it on a rare occasion, I just can't help myself. Even when accelarting at a snails pace my shift between first and second happens a bit late over 3000rpm.

[2004NJVue]

Originally Posted by jman

I've noticed that I can get it to shift using some pedal modulation I can get the Vue to downshift closer to when I want it to, however it is till quite touchy on the upshift. Could this be because of the learning curve? After all I do floor it on a rare occasion, I just can't help myself. Even when accelarting at a snails pace my shift between first and second happens a bit late over 3000rpm.

1-2 and 4-5 are my two trickiest gears to get it to shift. I wish 5th would engate more around 45...but oh well. A lot of time I will be around 45-50 on flat ground and it wont shift. I just speed up over 50, let it shift, and slow down slightly before hitting the guy in front of me. Then its locked in 5th. For 1-2, I get mine to shift around 2500. If I accelarate too slowly, the RPM's go to 3k. If I go too quickly, they shoot up to 4k. There is a happy median in my Vue that lets it shift at 2500. Sometimes I also force it to shift by slightly letting off the gas and then I can get it to shift as low as 2000 (usually).

This is why I miss my manual Ion and SL2...shift when I want it to. Oh well. Overall I am very pleased with the transmission and unless I want it to move very quickly, I never see mine go over 3k. One other thing, if I accelerate too slowly, the shifts are rougher.

[jman]

Its a little out of place on an SUV but it would be nice to have an Auto-Stick.

[2004NJVue]

Originally Posted by jman

Its a little out of place on an SUV but it would be nice to have an Auto-Stick.

I guess, but I would still love to have a manual transmission...with the clutch. Otherwise it takes away half the benefits of a manual transmission.