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Honda Fit Real World MPG

2554 messages,  Last post on Apr 21, 2013 at 3:55 AM

You are in the Honda Fit Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Fit, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Hatchback

Messages Page 249 of 256

#2475 of 2554 Re: Honda Fit 2009 MPG [hondafitfan] by spiff1969

Sep 12, 2010 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: hondafitfan (Aug 29, 2010 12:28 pm)
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!

#2476 of 2554 Re: Super unleaded vs Reg. unleaded [hondafitfan] by carattorney

Sep 12, 2010 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: hondafitfan (Aug 29, 2010 3:45 pm)
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.

#2477 of 2554 Re: Super unleaded vs Reg. unleaded [carattorney] by spiff1969

Sep 12, 2010 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: carattorney (Sep 12, 2010 2:29 pm)
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.

#2478 of 2554 Re: ONLY good thing about Honda Fit was Gas Mileage [wordsworth] by micweb

Sep 14, 2010 (8:01 am)

Replying to: wordsworth (Jul 03, 2010 8:42 pm)
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.

#2479 of 2554 Rear sway bars by tele_mark

Sep 14, 2010 (8:51 am)

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.

#2480 of 2554 Re: ONLY good thing about Honda Fit was Gas Mileage [micweb] by wistlo

Sep 14, 2010 (10:44 am)

Replying to: micweb (Sep 14, 2010 8:01 am)
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.

#2481 of 2554 Re: ONLY good thing about Honda Fit was Gas Mileage [wistlo] by micweb

Sep 14, 2010 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: wistlo (Sep 14, 2010 10:44 am)
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?

#2482 of 2554 Re: ONLY good thing about Honda Fit was Gas Mileage [micweb] by stephen987

Sep 14, 2010 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: micweb (Sep 14, 2010 1:18 pm)
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).

#2483 of 2554 Re: ONLY good thing about Honda Fit was Gas Mileage [stephen987] by micweb

Sep 14, 2010 (4:56 pm)

Replying to: stephen987 (Sep 14, 2010 4:50 pm)
Thanks! I'm looking at the Base and it is not so hard riding so that isn't an issue.

#2484 of 2554 Re: Rear sway bars [tele_mark] by micweb

Sep 14, 2010 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: tele_mark (Sep 14, 2010 8:51 am)
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.

Messages Page 249 of 256

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