Bought a hybrid

[donnellyvj]

yeah, i sell Fords and the CVT is the reason for the RMPs going so high. Buying a Hybrid SUV of any sort is for the green aspect. Gas mileage like a prius just won't happen with SUVs (yet). I always ask are you looking for gas or green. I don't want people to be upset getting high 20 low 30s. If its gas go focus.

Sound like the Nissan is sweet. Enjoy!!!! But, its not 4X4.

[6288]

Sound like the Nissan is sweet. Enjoy!!!! But, its not 4X4.

Ya, but I have an F-150 (4wd) and my wife has an Explorer (4wd) so we are covered in that area. What we really needed is something that gets better than 15mpg around town!

[donnellyvj]

I have a F150 too and I love it. I know what you mean about the gas. If you want better MPG car car car. Im sure you know that. AWD Taurus X or pre-owned Freestyle. mid 20mpg!

[spyboy]

I had an Explorer for 10 years. Bought it in Vermont, it went to Texas, out into New Mexico (up to 8500 feet in Ruidoso, NM) and through 5 hurricanes in Florida (only to have the timing belt break and eat my engine). I replaced the engine and got another 8 months out of it, then decided to "upgrade" to a Toyota Tacoma. So far I'm really loving this new truck, but I think ANY new vehicle is better than a 10 year old one.

When it was "new" in April (I bought it with 700 miles on it)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spyboy70/2222246031/

And last week when I did some upgrades to the exterior last week (already has 20,000 miles on it, yikes!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spyboy70/2222242731/

[Breeze]

As I work at the Auto Road Tollhouse in season, I'd like to chime in.

None of the MANY hybrids that have made the trip to the summit have had a problem on the upbound ride, nor have we heard any stories of electronics problems at the summit caused by microwave or other interference.

I will caution that we flagged out the Hybrid Synergy Drive Toyotas for a week or so last summer because of POSSIBLE downbound issues. Auto Road staff got an HSD Highlander and an HSD Camry on loan for an "experienced driver's" trial on the road and a special handout was created for Toyota drivers with the Hybrid Synergy Drive system.

With any CVT system , essentially there is no automatic or manual transmission downshift capability. Combine that with the Hybrid Drive, the only option is to select the B ( braking) option, which places all the braking force needed squarely on the braking system. It is all too possible to come DOWN the AR quicker than advisable, and meet the age old ( common) enemy of overheated brakes, so now we just caution to be aware of overheating brakes ( and it is really Same Old Same Old Stuff).

Your car isn't smarter, no matter what you think or have been told. Be truly careful. Driver is totally tasked to maintain safety and awareness

Yes, you'll maximize regenerative braking energy coming down, but the brakes are still disc brakes you are tasking and nothing about them is hugely different from a non hybrid car with a REAL transmission--- a CVT transmission is just not the help you'd get from Automatic Low or Manual 1st/2nd.

Its totally doable, not dangerous, just requires that you keep your mindset on your brake temperatures and driving safety, not on your gas mileage or green rebate $$. There are lots of stops on the way down Mt Washington Auto Road, many of them have impressive lookouts and/or short walks to take in more of the scenery. See it, experience it, and stay safe.

How hot can your brakes get while descending Mt Washington??

Hot enough to totally fail ( the only auto fatality on the AR <1984> was from brake failure downbound on the last mile of lower mountain. )


Hot enough to melt your hubcaps off...

Chevy Lumina and Ford Focus cars ( the budget rental fleet favorites) routinely throw their plastic hubcaps on the last mile downbound. Brake heat melts the plastic hubcap clips and the hubcaps simply fall off, littering the woods. At times we actually get the ALL 4 ONE Visual Comedy ( WTF???? LOLOL !!!!!) of all 4 hubcaps falling off the same vehicle at the same time at the gas pump at the bottom of the mountain.


Cars don't navigate the Auto Road, its all about the driver.

Breeze

[Charlie]

thanks for the info
last year we saw some one putting water on there brakes at one of the pull offs not smart

does the braking apply to your hiking shoes when coming down

[spyboy]

Charlie,

that's "breaking" as in the sound of one's blown out knees from years of hiking & skiing

does the braking apply to your hiking shoes when coming down

[Charlie]

Charlie,

that's "breaking" as in the sound of one's blown out knees from years of hiking & skiing

don't tell brad this he loves water skiing and hiking .

is water skiing just as hard on your knees as snow skiing

[donnellyvj]

I worked for enterprise rent a car after college. One day this older lady was returning her rental and when she pulled in all 4 hub caps melted off in the parking lot. I asked her to show me how she drives. Sure enough 2 feet were in action. So, i know what what your saying about hot brakes.

As I work at the Auto Road Tollhouse in season, I'd like to chime in.

None of the MANY hybrids that have made the trip to the summit have had a problem on the upbound ride, nor have we heard any stories of electronics problems at the summit caused by microwave or other interference.

I will caution that we flagged out the Hybrid Synergy Drive Toyotas for a week or so last summer because of POSSIBLE downbound issues. Auto Road staff got an HSD Highlander and an HSD Camry on loan for an "experienced driver's" trial on the road and a special handout was created for Toyota drivers with the Hybrid Synergy Drive system.

With any CVT system , essentially there is no automatic or manual transmission downshift capability. Combine that with the Hybrid Drive, the only option is to select the B ( braking) option, which places all the braking force needed squarely on the braking system. It is all too possible to come DOWN the AR quicker than advisable, and meet the age old ( common) enemy of overheated brakes, so now we just caution to be aware of overheating brakes ( and it is really Same Old Same Old Stuff).

Your car isn't smarter, no matter what you think or have been told. Be truly careful. Driver is totally tasked to maintain safety and awareness

Yes, you'll maximize regenerative braking energy coming down, but the brakes are still disc brakes you are tasking and nothing about them is hugely different from a non hybrid car with a REAL transmission--- a CVT transmission is just not the help you'd get from Automatic Low or Manual 1st/2nd.

Its totally doable, not dangerous, just requires that you keep your mindset on your brake temperatures and driving safety, not on your gas mileage or green rebate $$. There are lots of stops on the way down Mt Washington Auto Road, many of them have impressive lookouts and/or short walks to take in more of the scenery. See it, experience it, and stay safe.

How hot can your brakes get while descending Mt Washington??

Hot enough to totally fail ( the only auto fatality on the AR <1984> was from brake failure downbound on the last mile of lower mountain. )


Hot enough to melt your hubcaps off...

Chevy Lumina and Ford Focus cars ( the budget rental fleet favorites) routinely throw their plastic hubcaps on the last mile downbound. Brake heat melts the plastic hubcap clips and the hubcaps simply fall off, littering the woods. At times we actually get the ALL 4 ONE Visual Comedy ( WTF???? LOLOL !!!!!) of all 4 hubcaps falling off the same vehicle at the same time at the gas pump at the bottom of the mountain.


Cars don't navigate the Auto Road, its all about the driver.

Breeze

[h2oeco]

I bought a hybrid Highlander in July of 2006, and like it a lot. The day after I got it, I opened up the dash to put in an adapter for my iPod, two days later, I drove to the Florida Keys, picked up a boat, and brought it back - no trouble. Also took the boat back down to Florida in the fall, again no trouble. As was said, good mileage, but, not as good as a hybrid sedan. Re: the Ford Escape Hybrid, at one time, I was told that it had an older-generation Prius hybrid system that was licensed from Toyota - no surprise that it is/was underpowered...

Currently coming up on 30,000 miles...

Ed