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Honda Fit Real World MPG

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Comments

  • wtmkzwtmkz Member Posts: 2
    Bought a used 2009 Honda Fit Sport. In ten tanks of gas, average MPG is 37.92. Car is driven easily by my wife. We use the average MPG gauge to help max out mileage. Hope this helps.
  • wtmkzwtmkz Member Posts: 2
    Bought a used 2009 Honda Fit Sport. In ten tanks of gas, average MPG is 37.92 actual milege, not the trip computer average - as this is 10% off. Car is driven easily by my wife. We use the average MPG gauge to help max out mileage. Auto, Fit Sport, with A/C on, nitrogen in tires (no help)
  • cwalticwalti Member Posts: 185
    Nitrogen in Tire is a scam anyway. Our breathing air consists of >78% nitrogen ~18% oxygen and the rest are misc 'pollutants'. If the 'tire-air' is dry and free of oil, it will be just as good as garbage n2... If you really want to save gas, turn off the A/C. Your tire has a max PSI rating. Inflate it to 3 or 4 PSI below that number. The PSI call-out in your door jamb is a compromise from the manufacturer to get a smoother ride, That is why they are calling for ~32 PSI in most cases... I run my Element and CR-V at ~38 to 40 PSI improving the mpg by about 3.
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    I agree about the Nitrogen being an extra charge scam. Its claim to fame is supposed to be that the tire pressure will not fluxuate as much when the temperature changes. While it may help some, both our 09 RAV4 and 09 Ridgeline's nitrogen filled tires turned on their tire low pressure lights when the temps got down around freezing last winter. And I didn't have any Nitrogen available to add to them. So they got air!

    There are two camps when talking about air pressure. Both will aggressively defend their stand.
    I personally believe that inflating a tire to near the maximum on the sidewall results in the center of the tread bubbling out and bearing more of the weight of the car than the outer edges. Therefore wearing quicker in the middle. Also because less tread is on the road, the tire is less safe in wet weather and emergency maneuvers.
    The tire will also ride rougher because it doesn't flex as easily. Over inflation can result in a bit better fuel mileage because less tread on the road results in less friction.

    The tire pressure on the door jam reflect the tire being able to run with all the tread on the road equally across the tire. This has to do with the weight of the car and the sidewall construction. The car will ride better and handle better in emergency situations and likely last longer.

    Makes sense to me that with EPA mileage ratings being so important these days, that the manufacturers would use tires inflated to the highest "Safe" pressure possible to obtain the best mileage possible.

    The best way to find the absolute best pressure to meet safety and mileage considerations is to put a chalk mark across the tread and drive the car a mile or so on a straight smooth surfaced road without turning the steering wheel any more than necessary. When the pressure is correct for the car and the tire design the chalk will wear evenly across the tread.

    Excessive pressure will result in the chalk in the middle wearing before the chalk on the edges. Too little pressure will result in the edges wearing off before the center.

    With that said, if the vehicle becomes heavier due to load, towing, and so forth the tires will flatten more and need a bit more pressure.

    Different strokes for different folks. ;)

    Kip
  • cwalticwalti Member Posts: 185
    I think the center-buldging is more a problem for the old bias-ply tires that the modern multi layer steel belts. These should hold contour pretty steady across a 'wide' pressure range...
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    You may be right. The best way to be sure would be to do the chalk thing.

    Like I said, both camps will defend their beliefs. :)

    Kip
  • fossilminfossilmin Member Posts: 1
    I'm doing a similar mpg test after I had the idle learn procedure performed by a local Honda dealer on my newly purchased 2006 CRV automatic. The best mpg I got was over 31, but this was on a relatively flat very good FWY @ a cruise control speed of 70 mph for 351 miles. The outside temp was fairly consistent @ 97 degrees F. More data to follow.

    Fossilmin
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I run 40 psi and have no wear in the center of the tire. The tires actually last longer with more pressure because more pressure = less flex = less heat = longer life. The extra pressure also stiffens the sidewalls and make the tire handle better.

    The only down side to more pressure (within reason) is a stiffer ride.

    BTW - look in the manual of a BMW and it will recommend adding abut 8 psi for high speed autobahn travel. Would they say that if it was less safe?
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    This is very interesting what you wrote.
    I have been keeping my FIT Base Tires at the Manufacture recommended 32 plus 2 lbs=34
    I may pump em up to 38 next time and see what happens.
    I am always scared to exceed in fear that they will blow up under hot highway long drive conditions.
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2010
    I just got back from from my summer vacation. :shades: Drove my Base 2009 FIT 3128 miles over 10 days from Los Angeles to Portland, OR, then Seattle, WA, then to Vancouver BC, then back to Seattle, then to the Washington Coast, then down the Oregon Coast 1/2 way to Newport and then to Eugene, OR and then back to LA. I drove of course on the highways primarily, but also touring and parking around the stop and go cities, some traffic jams, stop and park for fuel, food, touring, 25 MPH zones on coast, road construction zones, etc., and approx. 5 to 6 hours of idle time looking at maps, GPS, phone, etc. (3 hours of that with AC on sleeping in the car in a rest stop). FINAL MPG over 3000 miles--per the car meter: 37.4. If I did not have the idle time, I am thinking it would have been closer to 38. :)

    PS. No problems with the FIT or Tires at all--excellent performance the entire trip. Easy to drive, turn and park in large crowded cities.
  • hondafitfanhondafitfan Member Posts: 3
    It's amazing . I actually got 45 mpg yesterday driving on the freeway with no a/c and no passengers. Just me driving. Average speed 60 mph.
  • hondafitfanhondafitfan Member Posts: 3
    Question. I use reg. unleaded. Has anyone used super unleaded and noticed any diference in the mpg? Thanks.
  • spiff1969spiff1969 Member Posts: 2
    I have a '07 Honda Fit Sport (5 speed stick) with 70,000 miles on it. Last July I drove from Los Angeles to Santa Rosa (dist. apprx 460 mi). I got 50 mph on the first leg of the trip (207 mi) and 40 mpg on the second leg (253 mi). I also drove from Santa Rosa to Nevada City (an hour north of Sacramento) and back and average 49.5 mpg. When got home I took it in for it's 70,000 mi. check up (by now it had clicked over to 71,000 mi.). Honda told me that the front brakes (original) finally had to be replaced. Even though it is a tall box, the handling is very secure and it has plenty of pep. It truly is a remarkable piece of machinery!
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    I use Super Unleaded (91 or 92 depending on the State) and notice a 1 to 3 MPG improvement. You will have to determine if the added cost is worth it. Most people would probably use Regular to save the $$ which is understandable. More important that the Octane is the brand of fuel. There has been a lot of debate about this, but I would highly advise using a high quality fuel in your car like Chevron (BMW's preferred fuel) or similar if Chevron is not available in your area. Also the service station you fuel at is very important. Look for clean, well run stations. Newer stations will have newer tanks in the ground pumping up less potential contaminants into your tank. :sick:
  • spiff1969spiff1969 Member Posts: 2
    My service advisor at my local Honda dealership in Pasadena Ca. tells me to stay away from ARCO and go with Chevron, Unocal or Mobil.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    I am not surprised that the dealer was poorly informed, to advise you that there were no handling equipment differences between the Base and Sport models - I had to dig very, very deep to find out the Sport actually includes an additional rear sway bar missing on the Base model.

    Consumer Guide has a good review of both the Base and Sport models. Their take is BOTH models handle significantly better than the average small car (disregarding the Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 which weren't out at the time). As to the two Fits, the Sport handles better than the Base but at a significant degradation in ride quality. I think the degradation in ride quality is due to the narrower profile tires, not the sway bar. I think part of the difference in handling on the Base model is due to lesser quality, narrower tires.

    I test drove both the Base and Sport. I thought the Base wallowed a bit, the Sport was more precise but harsher riding. I later test drove a Base a lot harder and found it very grippy on freeway on ramp curves - apparently the wallowing didn't really affect grip around the curve. The handling was definitely good enough for me. What I DIDN'T like was the wallowy feeling between 70 and 80 on the freeway. It didn't feel "planted." It felt like a light, flighty car, a feeling increased by the noise of the engine (3900 rpm with the manual transmission), wind noise, and tire thrum.

    The Mazda2 is much quieter and feels more solid.

    The problem is, there is really only one mini--mini van, and it's the Fit. The versatility of those seats is phenomenal. Head room and cabin "spaciousness" are phenomenal. In the Mazda2 it's possible to feel a little claustrophobic. In the Fit you feel "spacious." Measurements between the two cars are comparable, but "feeling" is vastly different.

    Honda continues to annoy me with their cheapness. What you get is good quality, but on the Base they leave out keyless entry, floor mats (missing on the Sport too), cargo cover, and stability control - all included on the Fiesta and Mazda2. to make matters more insulting, Honda is apparently only "dribbling" out stability control to the Sport trim for 2011; in 2012 federal rules mandate stability control in all makes and models, but with a corporate motto of "Safety For All" I don't know how Honda can sell the Fit without stability control. It's hypocritical.
  • tele_marktele_mark Member Posts: 10
    I added an aftermarket rear sway bar to my base Fit and it really woke it up. I did the same thing on the Yaris it replaced. The sway bars really should come standard on these small cars.
  • wistlowistlo Member Posts: 13
    I have a 2009 Fit with 35,000 miles, about half of it from road trips with a family of four.

    I agree with the assessment of ride quality on the low profile tires. On bumpy local streets, the 55 series tires provide much less cushion than my older Civic's 65 series. I run the Fit's tires at 40 psi, which gives me about 2 mpg better on the highway and improves the already crisp handling, but makes the ride harsher on rough streets. It's rough. On the positive side, the two year old in the back seat loves flying over big stomach-in-throat humps.

    The car is a pleasure on the highway, and I don't find it flightly, just responsive. It's similar to a Civic in strong crosswinds.

    I also agree with the spaciousness assessment. I'm 6'5, the teenager's 6', and we manage to fit comfortably. Not a lot of side to side room--three across is a squeeze in the back and two large men in the front seat can feel a little close (when I took delivery from the similarly-sized salesman in the passenger seat, I thought "what have I done?"). But with a car seat, toddler, toddler toys, playpen, and three big-persons' worth of luggage, there is room to spare in the cargo area. (It's about a third bigger than the Accord's trunk).

    We get 35-40 MPG on the highway with this load, at 60-75 MPH with tires at 40 psi.

    Immediately after purchase, I did spend about $350 on floor mats, a trunk mat, a removable cargo shelf cover, and a cargo net to bring the interior standard up a notch. Otherwise it's comfortable. The leather wheel is especially nice after hours of driving.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    Thanks for the useful observations from an owner with substantial mileage. Very thoughtful. I looked at one at lunch today and the interior space is amazingly versatile. Any observations about noise levels? Esp. on the freeway?
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    edited September 2010
    I don't find the car all that noisy, though there is a bit of tire noise. My only complaint with the Fit as a highway car is that I get tired of the stiff ride after a few hours (I have the Sport model).
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    Thanks! I'm looking at the Base and it is not so hard riding so that isn't an issue.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    Where did you find an aftermarket rear sway bar for the Base Fit? Did it come with the necessary mounting brackets and bolts?

    I put a TRD rear sway bar on a Yaris LB and it really tuned up the handling - much less understeer. If there is a similar bar for the Base Fit that leans me even more towards that model.
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    In the past 5 years, I have never used any fuel other than Chevron in the West. In the East where Chevron is harder to find, I used Mobil. Texaco is connnected with Chevron and is a good one in localities that don't have Chevron. ARCO is cheap and I use it in rental cars at the airport to save money, never a vehicle I own. :sick:
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    I am interested. Where did you get the bar installed and approximately how much does it cost to do so?

    Thanks.
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    I am responding to these comments:

    "Honda continues to annoy me with their cheapness. What you get is good quality, but on the Base they leave out keyless entry, floor mats (missing on the Sport too), cargo cover, and stability control..."

    I have a Base Fit with 15K on it at this point. If you have a Base model--Honda actually gave you a blessing in disguise by leaving those things out.

    1. No Keyless Entry: I hated this too when I got the Base FIT, but it turned out to be an opportunity to load a VIPER Responder 350 Keyless Two-Way Alarm Paging System ($300.00 installed everywhere). Now I have a security system that far exceeds the security system on most cars including the Sport Fit. You not only have keyless entry, but also a remote with a LCD screen that monitors the security system 24 hours a day, up to 1500 feet away and constantly communicates and vibrates or rings or both the second anyone tampers with your car--not to mention a really bright warning light flashing at night. So you know in advance if anyone is in your car or anything happened before you get there or you can run out immediately and catch the [non-permissible content removed]. Other great features are CarJacking prevention, security control of the electric doors to prevent intruder entry the second you turn the ignition on and dome light control. I would not have gotten this alarm if I purchased the Sport and with the Sport they would have had to remove that alarm system (which does not have many features and only a horn beep.) I learned about the Viper from my Honda Dealer Service Advisor that was discouraging me from installing the Honda Sport alarm on my Base Fit! No Joke! He just did not see why anyone who can install a Viper for less $$ would want a factory Honda alarm. At first I was resistant--but he was right in the end.

    2. No Floor Mats: Another blessing. If they gave them to you, it would be the cloth/fabric ones. Like most cloth mats--they last a week max, and you can never get them as clean and looking as day one ever again. A few months later---you are disgusted to put your feet on them. Instead, buy the beautiful thick Honda All Weather FIT mats (125.00) They are great--and every month or so, I wipe them down with water and they are brand new clean again! If you want to know how dirty mats get, get the all weather ones and wipe them down regularly and see how much dirt there is.

    3. Cargo Cover: There are probably a few occasions I would have liked this to hide things, but really--you purchased the FIT for its versatility--Do you really want that piece of plastic impeding the ability to fold seats up and down and load cargo in and out like a pick-up truck? Who needs that! Plus its another thing adding weight to your car, killing MPG and where are you going to store it when you don't need it. (The Wife: "I can't stand that car cover getting dust in the gararge--get rid of it--why did you buy it, if you are not going to use it!") Sorry--FIT does not need it. (Savings of 150.00).

    4. Stability Contol: There has been a lot of discussion about stability control on the Base FIT here. I don't get it! Could I have been the only person to get a Base FIT that rides great? I took my FIT non-stop (except fuel) from Los Angeles to Portland, OR this summer and then to Vancouver BC, then down the Oregon Coast and back to LA and never once, even at unmentionable speeds had a problem with stability. Now maybe if I went to the track with it--maybe--but no one buys a FIT for that. I don't get the issue. Come by and drive my Base FIT if you want. :)

    Thanks.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    Most gasoline does not have sufficient cleaner additives to keep the modern fuel injectors clean. The current Federal standard is based on testing cleanliness of early technology BMW injectors.

    California requires twice as much cleaner additive as the Federal standard, so if you live in Calif you are a little better off.

    In response to fuel injectors getting dirty and affecting mileage and emissions, several petroleum manufacturers and several car manufacturers got together to come up with higher standards for fuel injector cleaning. The result was the Top Tier Program:

    http://www.toptiergas.com/

    note that Honda is a participant.

    Chevron, Union 76, Shell are the big three that satisfy these program requirements in Cali. The complete list is at the website.

    If you use these gasolines, you don't need expensive periodic "fuel injector cleanings" offered by many dealers.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,148
    A reporter is interested in talking with owners of the Honda Fit who are also parents. If you are interested in commenting on your experience, please reply to pr@edmunds.com no later than Saturday, November 20, 2010 and include your city and state of residence, the model year of your vehicle and the age of your child/ren.

    Thanks for your consideration,
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    Corporate Communications
    Edmunds Inc.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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  • harrys1harrys1 Member Posts: 12
    Stability control is designed as a safety feature in the event that you start losing control of the vehicle or have to make a quick maneuver, particularly on slippery surfaces. It does not affect handling in normal driving. Your comments are like someone saying that life insurance is foolish, since he has yet to have a need for it.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    edited October 2010
    For example, stability control saves drivers in three common situations:

    1. Overestimating safe entry speed into a curve, like an on-ramp or off-ramp (but stability control can't fix gross errors or suicidal racing speeds).

    2. Pulling into a lane, and having to quickly swerve out when another vehicle simultaneously heads for the same spot.

    3. Hitting a slippery spot (wet, black ice) in a curve.

    Stability control is also useful in the snow, since the system lets manufacturers toss-in "ESD" or electronic slip device, the modern counterpart of "LSD" or a limited slip differential. Essentially this works by clamping down on the brake on a slipping drive wheel, so power is shifting to the other wheel. It's different from old-fashioned traction control which merely retards the ignition to slow down the motor to reduce likelihood of slippage, but can't transfer power from one wheel to another.
  • lewjac3lewjac3 Member Posts: 15
    I have a Fit sport auto with 600 miles, I am getting 27 mpg average, 70/city 30/highway, I have a very lite foot. Will the mpg improve with time?
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    that is superb mileage with a 70% city weighting. I presume you have an automatic. most high mileage light/small cars only give about 18-20 mpg in your scenario.
  • lewjac3lewjac3 Member Posts: 15
    Mic, thank's for the reply, I dont know why you consider my mpg superb considering other posts on this site. Back to my original question about after break in period, do you know if mpg will improve?
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    City driving pounds mpg even more than the EPA estimates. I've had a lot of small cars and read a lot of mpg tests and reports and your numbers are incredibly high for 70% city driving. To get that kind of CITY mpg you need to almost be a hypermiler and at least have a light foot. Usually city driving is for short distances too so the warmup cycle kills miles.

    I have never seen mpg improve after break in on any of my cars. (30 or so owned in the past 10 years). I have seen it go down more often. I think I drive extra carefully when brand new then start driving more "normally" although I have a light foot and on my freeway work commute used to meet or exceed EPA freeway mpg (far exceeding the combined mpg).
  • lewjac3lewjac3 Member Posts: 15
    Mic, Everything you said sounds logical, but compare to other posts here people are getting 30+ with a similar ratio of driving I stated. Anyway have a nice Thanksgiving. regards.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    I tracked mileage for 10 years by saving each gas receipt and writing down the miles on the trip odometer, which I reset each time. I then used a calculator to figure out the mpg and averaged the mileage over lifetime ownership. Many people rely on the built in calculator, which is often inaccurate, or figure the mpg in their head, or remember only a few good tanks when they maybe squeezed more gas in too. I also subscribe to Consumer Reports website edition.

    Consumer Reports says the current edition Fit in 5 speed manual gave them 24 / 37 mpg rating overall 33, with automatic 21/39 overall 30. CR drives reasonably lightly. Most of the public doesn't.
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    LewJac,

    I have a 2009 FIT Base that I love and love the fuel mileage too. Its been all over already. Last summer I drove it from Los Angeles to Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Last month I drove it from Los Angeles to New York City in 3.5 days and I am stuck here for now but will return hopefully before the snow gets here. On both of those trips I drove mainly highways as you can imagine, but some sleeping in the car a bit with the AC or heater on along the ways. I averaged between 39 and 40 MPG. 39.6 precisely for the LA to NYC trip.

    Now, the way I use all the time, and you can use too, to test MPG is to get on the highway when it is clear enough to cruise at 65 MPH or so. ZERO out your trip meter so that the MPG resets and drive approx. 5 miles in each direction and see what it says? That's all you need to do. Or just wait for the next highway trip and do it.

    Local driving has too many varaibles to use as a determinator. Use the highway test method. In LA during the summer with the AC on, stop and go, my MPG local only can be as low as 25 MPG.

    Last, you know that the FIT is hypersensitive to tire air pressure and that will effect your MPG too. Make sure the tires are all even and pumped to the recommended level. I keep them at 32 or 34 depending on the type of driving. I once found that when they got below 32, it cost me approx. 1 MPG for each lb below 32 PSI.

    Hope that this helps.

    Do the highway test and let us know.

    Happy holidays. :)
  • ksinvtksinvt Member Posts: 1
  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    With all of these new compacts coming out with 40+MPG, where's the hybrid Fit? Anyone here of one coming to the USA anytime soon?
  • accordguy0325accordguy0325 Member Posts: 169
    Regrettably, the last I heard according to a blurb on insideline was that Honda has no plans to bring the hybrid FIT to the American market.

    This is likely the case because Honda does not want to further depress sales of the Insight and Civic Hybrids.

    I think this is a mistake on Honda's part - for the FIT hybrid appears to be Honda's best hybrid (out of the current Civic Hybrid, Insight, and CRZ).

    The Toyota Yaris, Chevy Aveo/Spark, Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio are all in the same boat though - none of them get 40mpg (yet).

    I suspect we will see an uptick in the mileage of subcompact cars over the next few years.
  • mgutaimgutai Member Posts: 25
    At approximately 130,000 miles, my 07 Fit Sport Manual is getting between 35 and 38 mpg in mostly highway driving between 70 and 75 mph. During the winter it's been 2 to 3 mpg less due to 'winter blend' fuel, snow tires, and use of the defroster (which kicks on the a/c). Overall, VERY happy with my Fit.
  • gatortom1gatortom1 Member Posts: 25
    Thought I would kick in a follow-up on gas mileage since I am just turning 13,000 miles on my 2009 base model with automatic transmissioin. I've averaged just over 34 mpg. My driving is largely suburban. That is, not a lot of waiting at lights but usually short trips of about five miles. (I'll add that this ACTUAL mileage is about 11% to 12% below what the on-board computer usually tells me.) Also, mileage is 31 to 33 in the cold--that is 20s--and 34 to 36 in summer driving around hilly Asheville, NC.
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    I am recently back from my drive to NYC from Los Angeles and Back to Los Angeles in my 2009 Base FIT. Total mileage including driving around NYC, down to Washington DC and back to NYC, and then taking the Southern route back to Los Angeles with city stops along the way was approximately 8000 miles.

    The FIT performed better than any other car I have ever owned and rented, (including Mercedes), was a pleasure to drive, easy to park and maneuver, and I had no mechanical or tire problems at all. The aerodynamics allows it to cut the wind better than most cars and there is no sway unless strong side winds.

    Details:

    In October 2010, I drove to NYC in 3.5 days, approx. 2800 miles, for an Avg. MPG of 39.6. This included a few sleeps in the car with AC or Heat on for a few hours along the way. Also driving with AC on until Missouri because it was so hot then. I was alone on the drive, but the rest of the car was packed heavy with little room to spare.

    While in NYC, I drove into and around the city a lot, parking in the city, traffic, etc. Drove it down to Washington DC, around DC, suburbs, parking a lot, etc. Drove it in NYC after the Blizzard and the major snow a couple of weeks later—no problem—it held the road better than most vehicles with the Original Dunlaps on and no chains. Driving in blinding rain—no problems at all. :D

    On the way home in January 2011, I drove it South to avoid the ice and snow on the way back to LA. Stops and touring in Savannah, GA, Hilton Head Island, SC, Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Houston, TX, Austin, TX, Tucson, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ. Some sleeps in the car with heat on along the way. I was alone again, but the FIT was packed heavy with little room left. Could only see out of the top portion of the rear window.

    Grand Total AVG MPG for the entire trip from departure from LA to Arrival back in LA 4 months later: 37.0 MPG Exact. :shades:

    Loving my FIT, now with over 25,000 miles on it in 1.5 years of ownership. It’s the best of the best IMHO. :blush:

    Thanks.
  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    Is yours a manual? What sort of highway speeds did you maintain?
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    Its a 2009 Automatic Base FIT.

    This model does not have cruise control so you get those ebbs and flows between 65 and 75 most of the trip would be my best estimate.

    Thanks.
  • pghdriver210pghdriver210 Member Posts: 1
    I do about 85% of my driving in the city and get around 26-28mpg. However when I go on a weekend trip and drive a constant speed on the highway I always get between 38-40mpg. So yes I agree you are getting great mileage for the amount of city driving you are doing and the people getting 30+ miles are doing less city driving or all highway. Unless you want a hybrid you can't do much better than this car!
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    All the onboard computers I have had on different makes of cars have been 10-12% "high." I think the manufacturers could actually make them more honest, but the "spec" for acceptable variation allows a plus or minus for equipment variation. Since in real life counting injector pulses is so accurate, they just "aim" their counter on the high side, secure it won't slip out of "spec" (vary by more than the permitted amount from actual) while always showing an optimistic number. In other words, they game the spec.

    But once we know what they are up to, the onboard mileage computer is very reliable, as long as we make that 10% mental adjustment.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    I completely agree most people severely underestimate how much city mileage they do - now that I am doing urban driving instead of freeway commute, my mileage is hammered, from mid-30's to low 20's. And my trips are generally 5 miles and California is not frozen. And I seldom run the aircon.

    It's not hard these days to build smaller cars with 35+ freeway mpg. It's much harder to build anything with real world mileage in the city greater than 25 mpg. Witness the Consumer Report actual city mpg on their sample Fits - as low as 21 with the auto on pure city only cycle, 24 with the stick. CR attaches their own metering device to the fuel line so their numbers aren't estimates based on tank fills or read off the onboard computer the way some auto mags do it.
  • carattorneycarattorney Member Posts: 62
    That sounds about right. After getting 37 to 40 MPG on my mainly highway cross-country trip, I am now back in the city driving mode getting 26 to 28 mpg :(
  • almprin06almprin06 Member Posts: 1
    Everyone's self-calculated mpg results would be best posted at www.fueleconomy.gov
  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    Another miscalculation people often make is that if drive 50% city and 50% highway and get 20mpg in the city and 40mpg on the highway, they think their average mpg is 30, but it's not.

    Say you drive 100 miles: 50 miles of pure city driving at 20mpg uses 2.5 gallons of gas, and 50 miles of pure highway at 40 mpg uses 1.25 gallons of gas. So that means you used 3.75 gallons of gas to drive the 100 miles which equals 26.7mpg, not 30mpg.

    So the poorer city mpg pull down the average more than the higher highway mpg. It would be better if we calculated gallons per 100 miles (GP100M) driven, instead of miles per gallon (MPG).

    In the above example, we'd get 5.0 GP100M for city and 2.5 GP100M for highway and then the halfway point between 5.0GP100M city & 2.5 GP100M for highway would be 3.75 GP100M exactly.

    This is the way gas mileage is calculated in Europe (liters per 100km), but like the metric system, it will never catch on here.
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