lizardking wrote:"Anyway, I sat in the car for about 15 minutes waiting to hear the radiator fan turn on, but I never heard it, so I simply let the car idle for about an hour."
Main thing with ILP is that all accessories be turned off, and car allowed to IDLE until at least 10 minutes after that 2nd fan cycle.
I would think an hour of idling would have done the trick, unless you are in a terriblycold area ! Hope it will help you some!
As others have pointed out, that commute of yours is not conducive to good mileage. However the Fit should be about the best choice, short of riding a motorcycle or bike!
BTW while it is true the Manual shift could have giving a bit better mileage, I would personally go for the auto in heavy traffic.
Yes, all accessories were off. It was probably about 60 degrees when I did this. I'm sure the fan came on, I just didn't hear it while I was in the car.
I was seriously considering a manual, but I've never driven one, and I didn't think the best way to learn would be with my own brand new car. I'll learn on someone else's old car
o.k. I have 5000 miles on her and shes a sport auto,33 mpg driving 70 mph 50% of the time, if we could all realize that epa #'s meen nothing unless you drive on a test loop all day long....if you are getting 30 mpg avg be happy.
I am getting between 20 and 25, and my average is about 23. I'd be happy with 30. I'm not going by EPA estimates, but "Real World MPG" values posted by others in this thread.
I read posts like "I'd have to accelerate hard and slam on the brakes at every light and use the A/C with the windows down to get 32 mpg" and I'm struggling to get even 26.
I just filled up the tank for 24.8 mpg. That might not sound like a lot, but it was better than my previous highest of 24.3, plus I had spent an hour of idling at 0 mpg. I think I should be able to get about 27 mpg next time. Hopefully it'll keep getting better!
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did Honda fix the odometer issues on recent production? Anything made after october 2006, right?
Because if you drive 300 miles and used 8.5 gallons, that =35.3 MPG
If the odometer has been corrected for that 15% variance, that's only 255 miles travelled, divide by that same 8.5 gallons = 30 mpg.
I think it was a 15% extension they gave to the warranties, right? The EPA MPG ratings were likely done with the early, errant odometer. Does the EPA use the car's odometer, or their own distance measuring equipment? It's a potential difference of 5 MPG if you have a newer Fit.
I'm not sure if it has been fixed in recent production or not, but the warranties were extended by 5%, not 15%. Here's some info from an article about it:
"The Society of Automotive Engineers' voluntary standard for fluctuation in an odometer "is plus or minus 4-percent," and strangely enough, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration doesn't even regulate it. Honda claims that its units were "accurate to within 3.75-percent" on the high side, but a lawsuit against them claims that's just a bit too close for the average consumer's well-being. The automaker will be shelling out over $6 million in overcharges for leasers who were unfairly penalized for exceeding the agreed upon mileage, and will also extend the warranty mileage five-percent."
sniffles: I'm curious what your mileage is now that your Fit is broken in? I'm considering purchasing a new Fit for a daily commuter (150 miles per day @ 70 mph 95% mostly highway). Can you provide any updated statistics related city and highway use? And are you still satisfied with your purchase? Thanks in advance.
Wow, you must be reading all of the posts! My post was from November 2006 but any way my mileage now is about 38- 39 mpg. That is still with about 75% highway (60-65mph) and about 25% suburban here in the Baltimore area. I really haven't used the A/C yet. It's just starting to get warm now. I really don't do any city driving so I don't have any stats on that. Just last week I took a 320 mile round trip to Western Marland and got 41.1 mpg and that was with no A/C at all and using cruise control. A good part of the trip is up some pretty steep mountain grades. On one grade the cruise control couldn't hold it at 65 mph and it dropped to about 58 mph. I was happy with the mpg considering the mountains. My mpg are very accurate because I fill up at the same pump at the same gas station all the time. I was also by myself on the trip and of course my Vivid Blue Sport Fit is the 5 speed manual which is the only way to go with the Fit. Hopefully you will want a manual also with all of the highway driving you will do.
I'm very happy with my purchase. I lucked out when I went into the show room back in the middle of Sept. and asked about a manual 5 speed Sport Fit because someone had just canceled their order - they wanted an automatic! It only took me 3 1/2 weeks to get it. It was the first car I ever bought without taking a test drive for obvious reasons. It has a very nice ride and some get up and go. The driver's seat feels like I'm sitting in a hole (I'm 5'10") but I bought a cushion to solve that problem. I also wish the CD played more that one CD and I would also would like a bigger gas tank. I hope this helps. Good luck finding a Fit and don't give up because it's worth the wait!
We looked at a Civic and it doesn't have nearly the same cargo space as the Fit. The Civic really feels cramped inside to me. Plus it costs more for only a little added highway EPA highway MPG, probably mostly due to the Civic being more aerodynamic. But again, it was the lack of cargo space in the Civic (and Corolla) that drove me to the Fit. Good MPG is just an added plus.
o.k. I have 5000 miles on her and shes a sport auto,33 mpg driving 70 mph 50% of the time, if we could all realize that epa #'s meen nothing unless you drive on a test loop all day long....if you are getting 30 mpg avg be happy.
30 with an auto might make me happy.
I guess because I do not do that much city driving, I do not know how happy it would make me.
My mpgs keep creeping up, happy to say and I am at about 3K miles.
sniffles: I was trying to find people on the Fit threads that would have a similar vehicle (manual sport) with similar drive (mostly highway), and you seemed very close to what I would be experiencing. Thanks for the information. It is very helpful.
I have a downpayment on an 07 Silver Sport manual that is coming at the end of the month. Just wanted to make sure of the actual mileage people are getting. You've given me hope. I'm 6'2" so the seat height was no problem on my test drive. The bigger gas tank is a good idea. Based on 300 or so miles, I'll probably be filling up every other day with my commute. A few years back I had an 89 Honda CRX HF that consistently got high 40's, but it also had a small gas tank (10.9 gallons). If I get as many miles on the Fit as I did my 89 CRX - 401,000 - then I'll be a happy camper, even if I have to fill up every other day.
Hi "mgutai", I have a silver Sport manual that I bought in March, and I love it! I'm getting 36 mpg, mixed highway and city driving, mostly without a/c on, but it will get hot soon and I'll need it. I hope you love your new car!
My biggest issue now is the paint, and worrying about waxing it (I've washed it about four times now, but have yet to put on polish or wax, and I think it's going to need it soon - the roof is so tall though - I'm 5'5" - I'm not sure how I'm going to reach it to apply a good coat).
Hi "mgutai", I have a silver Sport manual that I bought in March, and I love it! I'm getting 36 mpg, mixed highway and city driving, mostly without a/c on, but it will get hot soon and I'll need it. I hope you love your new car!
My biggest issue now is the paint, and worrying about waxing it (I've washed it about four times now, but have yet to put on polish or wax, and I think it's going to need it soon - the roof is so tall though - I'm 5'5" - I'm not sure how I'm going to reach it to apply a good coat).
Wow again! I swear we are living parallel lives here. I just started getting into waxing a car, something I have never ever done even with the cars of the past. But I do figure I will own this baby for a good long time.
I keep wondering how I will get on top of it, and was thinking I should make sure not to have shorts/pants on with zippers and buttons.
Yep, I know what you mean about the zippers and buttons! I have a fear that I'll be up close wiping it down, or polishing it, and I'll rub against it with my zipper and put a scratch in the paint! Hah! Hey, it could happen. My Fit is not just a ride to and from work, it's my new Little Car. I feel a deep sense of affection for it, already, and I sure don't want to ruin it.
I have no clue how I'm going to wax the roof. Either I'll take a step stool outside and do it, or pay someone else to do it for me. Although... I'm kind of hesitant to let someone else touch my car.
After 4,000 miles, my Fit (Base model, automatic) manages to keep 41 mpg (50% city/50% highway) without A/C on. I am satisfied with this result.
One thing I have to adjust my driving habit is I have to accelerate hard from stop (keep the engine rev. around 2000 - 3000 rpm during acceleration.) Otherwise, my fuel economy will be around 33 - 35 mpg. Really odd.
Does accelerating hard mean you do it faster? Then maybe you're spending more time in fuel efficient fourth and fifth and less time in gas-guzzling acceleration in first and second?
Yep, I know what you mean about the zippers and buttons! I have a fear that I'll be up close wiping it down, or polishing it, and I'll rub against it with my zipper and put a scratch in the paint! Hah! Hey, it could happen. My Fit is not just a ride to and from work, it's my new Little Car. I feel a deep sense of affection for it, already, and I sure don't want to ruin it.
I have no clue how I'm going to wax the roof. Either I'll take a step stool outside and do it, or pay someone else to do it for me. Although... I'm kind of hesitant to let someone else touch my car.
OMG! I think I just met my doppleganger. lol jk
Tell ya what, if you or I figure out how to wax the top, we will let the other know. I have a step stool I intend to try too, and I am a short 5 4.
After 4,000 miles, my Fit (Base model, automatic) manages to keep 41 mpg (50% city/50% highway) without A/C on. I am satisfied with this result.
One thing I have to adjust my driving habit is I have to accelerate hard from stop (keep the engine rev. around 2000 - 3000 rpm during acceleration.) Otherwise, my fuel economy will be around 33 - 35 mpg. Really odd.
This gives me hope as I accidentally accelerated up to 50 mph in third gear earlier today.
I was worried how driving harder might affect my mpgs. I will fill up tomorrow or next day but I am thinking I will still be doing well if not as well as you.
Good to see you are still on the board. Idea for waxing the roof, open the car door and stand on the sill plate. You'll have to do this for each door to reach all areas of the roof however. I used to do this for my F150 4x4 Ext. Cab truck (which makes a nice dust collector in the 3rd stall of the garage now most of the time).
As for mileage and hard-driving (high revving), once in a while probably won't have any noticable impact on your tank by tank MPG. I've been getting very respectable mileage 36-38 MPG commuting, 45 on a trip). I am going to be changing the air filter as I have over 18,000 miles on it now. I usually change the air filter every 15-20k miles on my vehicles.
Anyone having any issues with antilock brakes activating on the front wheel(s) when braking while going over railroad tracks or series of bumps?? Seems that maybe I have an overly sensitive ABS sensor on one or both of my front wheels. I'll have it checked by Honda at next oil change.
I am becoming more and more confused by the huge discrepancies in the mileage numbers reported on this forum. How is it possible for one driver to get in the low twenties and another report numbers that would make a Prius proud. These cars, I imagine, are produced to very exacting standards and should be nearly identical. Sure driving habits differ and some are AT, some MT etc., but the differences reported are absurdly wide
My MT Sport Fit has averaged about 28mpg for my four mile suburban work commute and in the mid 30s with a high of 37 on the highway. Not as high as I had hoped, but in the ballpark of EPA and Consumer Reports results. Incidentally, with 6000 miles I have experienced none of the hoped for increase in MPGs after break in.
It seems to me that if someone is getting 45 MPG on the highway or COMBINED averages above the EPA highway estimates, then Honda needs to know about it and take that care apart piece by piece and find out what the hell they mistakenly got right on that car. In fact forget Honda, let's take it to the White House, our dependency on foreign oil could soon be at an end....
The reported numbers aren't absurd. There's just a wide variation in driving styles, patterns, weather etc.
Example: I have a compact sedan that both my wife and I drive. It has a mpg computer. I notice that when my wife drives it (after the computer has been reset), she is lucky to get low 20s mpg. She does mostly short trips in town with a lot of idling, she likes to run the A/C even when it's not hot outside, and has a "lead foot." When I drive the same car around town, I get upper 20s to low 30s mpg. The difference is, I drive with an eye to fuel economy, use a light foot on the accelerator (or no foot whenever possible), anticipate stops, don't exceed highway speed limits, run the A/C only when it's really hot (and I'm dressed up for work), and turn the engine off if I'm going to be stopped for awhile. That's about a 50% difference, and this car (EPA 24/32) is not as fuel efficient as the Fit. So it's not absurd at all for some people to get low to mid 20s on the Fit while others average mid to upper 30s, and even break into the 40s on the highway under ideal conditions.
With such a small HP, high rpm engine, differences in driving style make a big difference in mpg compared to a car with a larger engine. The vtec uses lots of gas too when the valves are fully open. So if you don't watch out Fit will use a lot of gas, whereas it can drive with good mpg if you avoid the guzzler factors. A/C alone can cut 2-10mpg in a Fit! On larger engines it doesn't cut in as much. So lots of uphill accelerations, fast throttling, and so on makes a huge difference. Furthermore, the AT seems to get particularly bad mileage compared to the MT for the Fit, leading to further discrepancy.
The people with low numbers DO seem to be trying very hard to get better ones, at least they say they do. I tend to believe that if they are that concerned over the mileage that they are getting that they would be trying all the tricks available to gain the peace of mind that higher mileage would give them. I know for myself that I drive very conservatively (pretty much the way you describe yourself) and can not get anywhere near the numbers some are reporting. And 45 is not "breaking 40" but pretty much decimating it. As I said this hybrid mileage.
There are people on this forum saying things like "I would have to drive like a maniac to get less than 30 mpg in this car" And then there are people like me (who drive like you)and sometimes have gotten only 26 mpg. Incidentally, if using the air conditioner has had any effect on my mileage it is that it has increased my mileage when it is ON. I live in florida and looked forward to the cooler weather with visions of record MPG dancing in my head. Alas, that was when I recorded my 26.
Sometimes the obvious explanations work -you get lousy mileage cause you are an aggresive driver and I get good mileage because I am prudent - and sometimes things just don't lineup as expected and there are less obvious reasons. I know from experience that it is very frustrating to do everything right and be told you must be doing it wrong based on the results you are getting - or something to that effect
If you look at other cars forum in Edmunds, you'll find the big differences in MPG for the same car...nothing special about the Fit. I consistently get in the low 30s to the high 30s MPG, depending on my mix of suburb/highway driving. I have 8500 miles on my Sport Auto Fit.
And I also notice the ABS activating on bumps from time to time...if they're a little oversensitive, that's okay with me.
Sometimes I wonder if the discrepancies are not just people's miscalculations. Example, and I admit this is stupid, and I am not a stupid person, but I used to calculate based on size of tank. In my old Tercel, if I got 275 miles on my trip meter before I hit the "E", I'd say, okay, it's a ten gallon tank, I got a little over 27 mpg. I'd never look at the exact gallons it took to fill it up again. Stupid, I know, but it didn't occur to me until I bought my Fit and wanted an EXACT miles per gallon reading, or as close to as possible, that I need to look at how many gallons it took to fill it back up, and then divide my trip meter count by that amount.
I seriously wonder how others are doing their calculating. If other relatively intelligent people out there are miscalculating as I was, it could be the root of all these crazy reports.
FYI: my mpg on the Fit MT (with correct calcualations) has gone from 34 to 36. I'm barely at 2000 miles in about two and a half months. My main driving is to work and home in a 24 mile round trip commute on the highway. I do short trips in stop and go, but the bulk is highway. Not much a/c, nor open windows, yet, and I am a cautious driver while the car is still new - plus, believe it or not, it doesn't seem to have the "oomph" my Tercel had. Both 4 cylinder subcompacts. Go figure.
plus, believe it or not, it doesn't seem to have the "oomph" my Tercel had. Both 4 cylinder subcompacts. Go figure.
Maybe it is because the Fit has a Vtec powerplant, which is tuned to offer more economy at low-RPM than a non-Vtec engine, while offering more power at high-RPM than a non-Vtec powerplant, since you are a cautious driver, you never see the VTEC kick in, maybe?
I just bought a Honda Civic Hybrid. It has a miles-per-gallon guage next to the speedometer. This is the best thing ever. It tells you second by second how many mpg you're getting.
On acceleration, it reads about 20. Around town at 40 mph it reads 50. Going down a slight hill at 70 mph it reads 100. The differences are amazing, and very instructive.
This should be standard equipment on all cars, because it really teaches you how to drive efficiently. The device can't cost much, and I know it would save drivers a lot of gas money.
Don't take those numbers as pure fact though, as there is no replacement for manually calculating on fillups. What they ARE good for is giving you an idea of just how important driving style is to getting decent MPG.
Always double check your numbers when you fill up, to find out what your actual mileage is.
On Hwy 395 in central Oregon with the air conditioner on, my manual Sport Fit achieved 42 mpg at an average speed around 65 mph. It got 38 mpg crossing the Sierra Nevada and the Siskiyou Mountains. It gets 35 mpg with mixed freeway/town around home.
As for mileage and hard-driving (high revving), once in a while probably won't have any noticable impact on your tank by tank MPG. I've been getting very respectable mileage 36-38 MPG commuting, 45 on a trip).
Believe it or not, my mpg continues to go up.
This was highest mpg yet, pushing just shy of 39 mpgs.
Hi, thegraduate, my Tercel was an '84, and yes, a manual transmission. I don't know much about the Vtec, I just know that I'm used to accelerating and "feeling" it, and I don't really in the Fit.
I just ordered one from Amazon (10 bucks less). Sounds like a great item and with gas heading for $4 a gallon should pay for itself. Maybe I will discover a hidden flaw leading to my mediocre mileage. It seems to me that this device would be invaluable when test driving new or used cars. Thanks all!
I guess I am in the minority. I see so many complaints about the Fit- but realistically, any and every car has its limitations and things that you can or cannot change.
I have 2,000 miles now, on my 2007 Fit Sport Automatic. I get 42 miles per gallon freeway, and 32-35 combined city and hwy. And that's with running the AC full blast- 'cuz I'm menopausal too! I do adhere to the 65 mile per hour speed limit, and don't gun the accelerator around corners.
I commute 62 miles per day, and the seat NEVER hurts me (although I wish it would slide further back on the passenger side when I am not driving) and I am not a tiny person, plus I have arthritis.
Yes, there are some limitations to this car, things I wish Honda would change. Power adjustable seats would be awesome. Power locks on all the inside doors should be added, so that if you are the passenger and not a child, you can get out of the car without asking mommy to unlock the darned thing! Also, an armrest, a locking gas cap, leather seats, windows that continue to work after you have turned the ignition off, automatic day running lights and a few other luxury items like a mirror on the visor over the passenger side would have been great.
But that being said, the car would have cost $26,000 instead of $16,000. For the price, the Fit does the trick. And I love it. I am considering turning it in next year for the 2008 Hybrid version if they actually come out with it, and it's not total rumor. :shades:
Maybe the quieter interior is fooling you. My 130 hp 1996 Accord seems quicker when gunning the engine because the gas pedal is stiff (so you really feel how far you are pushing the gas) and the engine gets loud, along with a harsher-shifting automatic downshift, while I know in the back of my mind my 166 hp 2006 Accord is the faster car (by a considerable margin).
hfount wrote: >> I seriously wonder how others are doing their calculating. If other relatively intelligent people out there are miscalculating as I was, it could be the root of all these crazy reports.
So just for the record (because many of us have been using inaccurate methods ("lazy") of calculating MPG we should:
1) Log the miles on the car every time we fill up.
2) Log how much exactly fuel was put into the car
3) Use these figures only to calculate real world MPG and post them online.
4) My next curiosity is to record gasoline price paid and place a dollar figure on each mile driven...
I was resetting the trip counter and diving by 10 to estimate MPG and getting good-fair numbers, but logging improved them GREATLY.
Hi, thegraduate, my Tercel was an '84, and yes, a manual transmission. I don't know much about the Vtec, I just know that I'm used to accelerating and "feeling" it, and I don't really in the Fit.
Thats because you wont really FEEL it till you get it up over 3500 rpms, which you are unlikely to do when you are a bit slower/lower gear. And if you have an AT (cannot recall, but I thought you had MT) with an AT you are prob screwed. JK, never drove one.
I have taken mine out a few times and really ridden it hard on the highways for a few miles when it wasn't overly crowded on the roadways. It actually seems to help the mpgs to get a bit of it more aggressive/heavy footed than usual.
Anyone having any issues with antilock brakes activating on the front wheel(s) when braking while going over railroad tracks or series of bumps?? Seems that maybe I have an overly sensitive ABS sensor on one or both of my front wheels. I'll have it checked by Honda at next oil change.
Yes, as a matter of fact I believe I have experienced same. If by "series of bumps" it includes going from gravel to roadway and vice versa and sometimes going over some good sized bumps it sounds like it revs up.
If this truly is an ABS sensor (never had ABS so I have no clue), then I should make a point to have dealer check it when I go in for service in a few thousand miles.
If it isn't harmful, would I want to run risk of more issues if I let them "tweak it"?
So just for the record (because many of us have been using inaccurate methods ("lazy") of calculating MPG we should:
1) Log the miles on the car every time we fill up.
2) Log how much exactly fuel was put into the car
3) Use these figures only to calculate real world MPG and post them online.
4) My next curiosity is to record gasoline price paid and place a dollar figure on each mile driven...
Please all, go to www.fueleconomy.gov and "open your own garage" and start logging it in. Go ahead and let them share it too, making sure to confirm it with them via an email they will send you(unless you want it totally private which you can do also.)
You can also make notes as I have done about tire pressure, garaging and so forth.
I was resetting the trip counter and diving by 10 to estimate MPG and getting good-fair numbers, but logging improved them GREATLY.
I'm not sure how you calculated MPG in this manner, but since the Fit has 2 trip counters, I always reset the "Trip B" when I fill up, so the next time I fill up I just take the miles shown on Trip B and divide by the gallons I just put in...pretty simple...no writing/logging required.
I'm doing a road trip this weekend, about 550 miles (one way) to our destination, mostly driving on I-70 through Ohio and I-76 through PA, so we'll see what sort of MPG I get. The speed limit in OH is 65mph, so I'll keep the cruise on about 70mph, and through PA I think the speed limit is 70mph, so I'll keep the speed up to 75mph. Then maybe on the way back I'll keep the cruise set right at the speed limit to see how much difference it makes.
Anyone having any issues with antilock brakes activating on the front wheel(s) when braking while going over railroad tracks or series of bumps?? Seems that maybe I have an overly sensitive ABS sensor on one or both of my front wheels. I'll have it checked by Honda at next oil change.
Yes, as a matter of fact I believe I have experienced same. If by "series of bumps" it includes going from gravel to roadway and vice versa and sometimes going over some good sized bumps it sounds like it revs up.
If this truly is an ABS sensor (never had ABS so I have no clue), then I should make a point to have dealer check it when I go in for service in a few thousand miles.
If it isn't harmful, would I want to run risk of more issues if I let them "tweak it"?
Agreed, I don't like the idea of messing with something that is actually working as designed (the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mantra).
I think what is happening is that the wheel momentarily reduced contact and resistance with road surface which the ABS sensor detects as wheel lockup (like braking on ice) and the system kicks it into high gear and starts modulating (turning on and off) the brake on that particular wheel.
No, I don't think it will cause any harm, but having ABS activated will mean that it takes longer to slow the car down or stop completely. So, in an emergency situation, it could be dangerous.
It doesn't seem to happen on heavier cars/trucks...
Comments
Main thing with ILP is that all accessories be turned off, and car allowed to IDLE until at least 10 minutes after that 2nd fan cycle.
I would think an hour of idling would have done the trick, unless you are in a terribly cold area !
Hope it will help you some!
As others have pointed out, that commute of yours is not conducive to good mileage. However the Fit should be about the best choice, short of riding a motorcycle or bike!
BTW while it is true the Manual shift could have giving a bit better mileage, I would personally go for the auto in heavy traffic.
Kip
I was seriously considering a manual, but I've never driven one, and I didn't think the best way to learn would be with my own brand new car. I'll learn on someone else's old car
I read posts like "I'd have to accelerate hard and slam on the brakes at every light and use the A/C with the windows down to get 32 mpg" and I'm struggling to get even 26.
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Because if you drive 300 miles and used 8.5 gallons, that =35.3 MPG
If the odometer has been corrected for that 15% variance, that's only 255 miles travelled, divide by that same 8.5 gallons = 30 mpg.
I think it was a 15% extension they gave to the warranties, right? The EPA MPG ratings were likely done with the early, errant odometer. Does the EPA use the car's odometer, or their own distance measuring equipment? It's a potential difference of 5 MPG if you have a newer Fit.
"The Society of Automotive Engineers' voluntary standard for fluctuation in an odometer "is plus or minus 4-percent," and strangely enough, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration doesn't even regulate it. Honda claims that its units were "accurate to within 3.75-percent" on the high side, but a lawsuit against them claims that's just a bit too close for the average consumer's well-being. The automaker will be shelling out over $6 million in overcharges for leasers who were unfairly penalized for exceeding the agreed upon mileage, and will also extend the warranty mileage five-percent."
I'm very happy with my purchase. I lucked out when I went into the show room back in the middle of Sept. and asked about a manual 5 speed Sport Fit because someone had just canceled their order - they wanted an automatic! It only took me 3 1/2 weeks to get it. It was the first car I ever bought without taking a test drive for obvious reasons. It has a very nice ride and some get up and go. The driver's seat feels like I'm sitting in a hole (I'm 5'10") but I bought a cushion to solve that problem. I also wish the CD played more that one CD and I would also would like a bigger gas tank. I hope this helps. Good luck finding a Fit and don't give up because it's worth the wait!
37.5 mpg.
30 with an auto might make me happy.
I guess because I do not do that much city driving, I do not know how happy it would make me.
My mpgs keep creeping up, happy to say and I am at about 3K miles.
I have a downpayment on an 07 Silver Sport manual that is coming at the end of the month. Just wanted to make sure of the actual mileage people are getting. You've given me hope. I'm 6'2" so the seat height was no problem on my test drive. The bigger gas tank is a good idea. Based on 300 or so miles, I'll probably be filling up every other day with my commute. A few years back I had an 89 Honda CRX HF that consistently got high 40's, but it also had a small gas tank (10.9 gallons). If I get as many miles on the Fit as I did my 89 CRX - 401,000 - then I'll be a happy camper, even if I have to fill up every other day.
My biggest issue now is the paint, and worrying about waxing it (I've washed it about four times now, but have yet to put on polish or wax, and I think it's going to need it soon - the roof is so tall though - I'm 5'5" - I'm not sure how I'm going to reach it to apply a good coat).
My biggest issue now is the paint, and worrying about waxing it (I've washed it about four times now, but have yet to put on polish or wax, and I think it's going to need it soon - the roof is so tall though - I'm 5'5" - I'm not sure how I'm going to reach it to apply a good coat).
Wow again! I swear we are living parallel lives here. I just started getting into waxing a car, something I have never ever done even with the cars of the past. But I do figure I will own this baby for a good long time.
I keep wondering how I will get on top of it, and was thinking I should make sure not to have shorts/pants on with zippers and buttons.
Yep, I know what you mean about the zippers and buttons! I have a fear that I'll be up close wiping it down, or polishing it, and I'll rub against it with my zipper and put a scratch in the paint! Hah! Hey, it could happen. My Fit is not just a ride to and from work, it's my new Little Car. I feel a deep sense of affection for it, already, and I sure don't want to ruin it.
I have no clue how I'm going to wax the roof. Either I'll take a step stool outside and do it, or pay someone else to do it for me. Although... I'm kind of hesitant to let someone else touch my car.
One thing I have to adjust my driving habit is I have to accelerate hard from stop (keep the engine rev. around 2000 - 3000 rpm during acceleration.) Otherwise, my fuel economy will be around 33 - 35 mpg. Really odd.
Yep, I know what you mean about the zippers and buttons! I have a fear that I'll be up close wiping it down, or polishing it, and I'll rub against it with my zipper and put a scratch in the paint! Hah! Hey, it could happen. My Fit is not just a ride to and from work, it's my new Little Car. I feel a deep sense of affection for it, already, and I sure don't want to ruin it.
I have no clue how I'm going to wax the roof. Either I'll take a step stool outside and do it, or pay someone else to do it for me. Although... I'm kind of hesitant to let someone else touch my car.
OMG! I think I just met my doppleganger. lol jk
Tell ya what, if you or I figure out how to wax the top, we will let the other know. I have a step stool I intend to try too, and I am a short 5 4.
One thing I have to adjust my driving habit is I have to accelerate hard from stop (keep the engine rev. around 2000 - 3000 rpm during acceleration.) Otherwise, my fuel economy will be around 33 - 35 mpg. Really odd.
This gives me hope as I accidentally accelerated up to 50 mph in third gear earlier today.
I was worried how driving harder might affect my mpgs. I will fill up tomorrow or next day but I am thinking I will still be doing well if not as well as you.
Good to see you are still on the board. Idea for waxing the roof, open the car door and stand on the sill plate. You'll have to do this for each door to reach all areas of the roof however. I used to do this for my F150 4x4 Ext. Cab truck (which makes a nice dust collector in the 3rd stall of the garage now most of the time).
As for mileage and hard-driving (high revving), once in a while probably won't have any noticable impact on your tank by tank MPG. I've been getting very respectable mileage 36-38 MPG commuting, 45 on a trip). I am going to be changing the air filter as I have over 18,000 miles on it now. I usually change the air filter every 15-20k miles on my vehicles.
Anyone having any issues with antilock brakes activating on the front wheel(s) when braking while going over railroad tracks or series of bumps?? Seems that maybe I have an overly sensitive ABS sensor on one or both of my front wheels. I'll have it checked by Honda at next oil change.
My MT Sport Fit has averaged about 28mpg for my four mile suburban work commute and in the mid 30s with a high of 37 on the highway. Not as high as I had hoped, but in the ballpark of EPA and Consumer Reports results. Incidentally, with 6000 miles I have experienced none of the hoped for increase in MPGs after break in.
It seems to me that if someone is getting 45 MPG on the highway or COMBINED averages above the EPA highway estimates, then Honda needs to know about it and take that care apart piece by piece and find out what the hell they mistakenly got right on that car. In fact forget Honda, let's take it to the White House, our dependency on foreign oil could soon be at an end....
Example: I have a compact sedan that both my wife and I drive. It has a mpg computer. I notice that when my wife drives it (after the computer has been reset), she is lucky to get low 20s mpg. She does mostly short trips in town with a lot of idling, she likes to run the A/C even when it's not hot outside, and has a "lead foot." When I drive the same car around town, I get upper 20s to low 30s mpg. The difference is, I drive with an eye to fuel economy, use a light foot on the accelerator (or no foot whenever possible), anticipate stops, don't exceed highway speed limits, run the A/C only when it's really hot (and I'm dressed up for work), and turn the engine off if I'm going to be stopped for awhile. That's about a 50% difference, and this car (EPA 24/32) is not as fuel efficient as the Fit. So it's not absurd at all for some people to get low to mid 20s on the Fit while others average mid to upper 30s, and even break into the 40s on the highway under ideal conditions.
There are people on this forum saying things like "I would have to drive like a maniac to get less than 30 mpg in this car" And then there are people like me (who drive like you)and sometimes have gotten only 26 mpg. Incidentally, if using the air conditioner has had any effect on my mileage it is that it has increased my mileage when it is ON. I live in florida and looked forward to the cooler weather with visions of record MPG dancing in my head. Alas, that was when I recorded my 26.
Sometimes the obvious explanations work -you get lousy mileage cause you are an aggresive driver and I get good mileage because I am prudent - and sometimes things just don't lineup as expected and there are less obvious reasons. I know from experience that it is very frustrating to do everything right and be told you must be doing it wrong based on the results you are getting - or something to that effect
And I also notice the ABS activating on bumps from time to time...if they're a little oversensitive, that's okay with me.
I seriously wonder how others are doing their calculating. If other relatively intelligent people out there are miscalculating as I was, it could be the root of all these crazy reports.
FYI: my mpg on the Fit MT (with correct calcualations) has gone from 34 to 36. I'm barely at 2000 miles in about two and a half months. My main driving is to work and home in a 24 mile round trip commute on the highway. I do short trips in stop and go, but the bulk is highway. Not much a/c, nor open windows, yet, and I am a cautious driver while the car is still new - plus, believe it or not, it doesn't seem to have the "oomph" my Tercel had. Both 4 cylinder subcompacts. Go figure.
Maybe it is because the Fit has a Vtec powerplant, which is tuned to offer more economy at low-RPM than a non-Vtec engine, while offering more power at high-RPM than a non-Vtec powerplant, since you are a cautious driver, you never see the VTEC kick in, maybe?
What year was your Tercel, and was it a MT?
On acceleration, it reads about 20. Around town at 40 mph it reads 50. Going down a slight hill at 70 mph it reads 100. The differences are amazing, and very instructive.
This should be standard equipment on all cars, because it really teaches you how to drive efficiently. The device can't cost much, and I know it would save drivers a lot of gas money.
Always double check your numbers when you fill up, to find out what your actual mileage is.
Believe it or not, my mpg continues to go up.
This was highest mpg yet, pushing just shy of 39 mpgs.
YEAH BABY!
for more information.
I have 2,000 miles now, on my 2007 Fit Sport Automatic. I get 42 miles per gallon freeway, and 32-35 combined city and hwy. And that's with running the AC full blast- 'cuz I'm menopausal too! I do adhere to the 65 mile per hour speed limit, and don't gun the accelerator around corners.
I commute 62 miles per day, and the seat NEVER hurts me (although I wish it would slide further back on the passenger side when I am not driving) and I am not a tiny person, plus I have arthritis.
Yes, there are some limitations to this car, things I wish Honda would change. Power adjustable seats would be awesome. Power locks on all the inside doors should be added, so that if you are the passenger and not a child, you can get out of the car without asking mommy to unlock the darned thing! Also, an armrest, a locking gas cap, leather seats, windows that continue to work after you have turned the ignition off, automatic day running lights and a few other luxury items like a mirror on the visor over the passenger side would have been great.
But that being said, the car would have cost $26,000 instead of $16,000. For the price, the Fit does the trick. And I love it. I am considering turning it in next year for the 2008 Hybrid version if they actually come out with it, and it's not total rumor. :shades:
32-35 combined city and hwy :shades:
>> I seriously wonder how others are doing their calculating. If other relatively intelligent people out there are miscalculating as I was, it could be the root of all these crazy reports.
So just for the record (because many of us have been using inaccurate methods ("lazy") of calculating MPG we should:
1) Log the miles on the car every time we fill up.
2) Log how much exactly fuel was put into the car
3) Use these figures only to calculate real world MPG and post them online.
4) My next curiosity is to record gasoline price paid and place a dollar figure on each mile driven...
I was resetting the trip counter and diving by 10 to estimate MPG and getting good-fair numbers, but logging improved them GREATLY.
Thats because you wont really FEEL it till you get it up over 3500 rpms, which you are unlikely to do when you are a bit slower/lower gear. And if you have an AT (cannot recall, but I thought you had MT) with an AT you are prob screwed. JK, never drove one.
I have taken mine out a few times and really ridden it hard on the highways for a few miles when it wasn't overly crowded on the roadways. It actually seems to help the mpgs to get a bit of it more aggressive/heavy footed than usual.
Or it could be the summer gas.
Worth a try though and its fun.
Yes, as a matter of fact I believe I have experienced same. If by "series of bumps" it includes going from gravel to roadway and vice versa and sometimes going over some good sized bumps it sounds like it revs up.
If this truly is an ABS sensor (never had ABS so I have no clue), then I should make a point to have dealer check it when I go in for service in a few thousand miles.
If it isn't harmful, would I want to run risk of more issues if I let them "tweak it"?
1) Log the miles on the car every time we fill up.
2) Log how much exactly fuel was put into the car
3) Use these figures only to calculate real world MPG and post them online.
4) My next curiosity is to record gasoline price paid and place a dollar figure on each mile driven...
Please all, go to www.fueleconomy.gov and "open your own garage" and start logging it in. Go ahead and let them share it too, making sure to confirm it with them via an email they will send you(unless you want it totally private which you can do also.)
You can also make notes as I have done about tire pressure, garaging and so forth.
I'm not sure how you calculated MPG in this manner, but since the Fit has 2 trip counters, I always reset the "Trip B" when I fill up, so the next time I fill up I just take the miles shown on Trip B and divide by the gallons I just put in...pretty simple...no writing/logging required.
I'm doing a road trip this weekend, about 550 miles (one way) to our destination, mostly driving on I-70 through Ohio and I-76 through PA, so we'll see what sort of MPG I get. The speed limit in OH is 65mph, so I'll keep the cruise on about 70mph, and through PA I think the speed limit is 70mph, so I'll keep the speed up to 75mph. Then maybe on the way back I'll keep the cruise set right at the speed limit to see how much difference it makes.
Yes, as a matter of fact I believe I have experienced same. If by "series of bumps" it includes going from gravel to roadway and vice versa and sometimes going over some good sized bumps it sounds like it revs up.
If this truly is an ABS sensor (never had ABS so I have no clue), then I should make a point to have dealer check it when I go in for service in a few thousand miles.
If it isn't harmful, would I want to run risk of more issues if I let them "tweak it"?
Agreed, I don't like the idea of messing with something that is actually working as designed (the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mantra).
I think what is happening is that the wheel momentarily reduced contact and resistance with road surface which the ABS sensor detects as wheel lockup (like braking on ice) and the system kicks it into high gear and starts modulating (turning on and off) the brake on that particular wheel.
No, I don't think it will cause any harm, but having ABS activated will mean that it takes longer to slow the car down or stop completely. So, in an emergency situation, it could be dangerous.
It doesn't seem to happen on heavier cars/trucks...