AT Sport better MPG with paddle shifters

secondspassed · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:00 AM

I've been driving in S-mode (paddle shifters) in my GD for the last couple of tanks and am happy to report my average MPG has gone from ~33MPG to ~35MPG.

I attribute the increase in MPG mainly to driving more aggressively. Staying in gear longer than D-mode would in most situations and not being afraid of the 3000-4000 rpm range if I'm trying to accelerate or going up a hill. I live in a fairly hilly area of SoCal, so that's surely a big factor.

Just want to let you guys know not to be afraid to drive your AT Fit hard! It seems to really want to be revved.

P.S. Manual Tranny guys, have mercy on my little thread. :P

kenchan · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 12:15 PM

you sure it's not from the cooler weather you have now vs a week
or two ago? my buddy out in burbank told me 20F decrease in like
a day. lol

fuel consumption is a pretty tricky thing to measure... and also
quite complicated since the engine ecu and tranny map works
inconjunction with your driving habits and driving conditions.

secondspassed · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

you sure it's not from the cooler weather you have now vs a week
or two ago? my buddy out in burbank told me 20F decrease in like
a day. lol

fuel consumption is a pretty tricky thing to measure... and also
quite complicated since the engine ecu and tranny map works
inconjunction with your driving habits and driving conditions.

I'm sure the heat was bringing my MPG down, but I've never averaged above 33MPG with this car in the first 1.5 years so these results over several tanks seem pretty distinct to me. I'm really almost always driving up or down a hill around here, so I think staying in higher RPMs is far more rewarding in this environment.

kenchan · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondspassed

I'm sure the heat was bringing my MPG down, but I've never averaged above 33MPG with this car in the first 1.5 years so these results over several tanks seem pretty distinct to me. I'm really almost always driving up or down a hill around here, so I think staying in higher RPMs is far more rewarding in this environment.

yah, ive noticed on my cars that they like higher rpm than bogging so that's probably true. you beat the computer!

Scratch&Dent · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 02:03 PM

I've been working on the same thing--maintaining efficiency on hills--and I've noticed that if I can keep my speed above 50 going uphill, it stays in 5th gear AND keeps the torque converter in lockup mode. Since there are hills everywhere around here, I just try to stay above 50.

SS RICH · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:03 PM

I had this same phenomenon happen to me however I want to attribute it to hitting the 32,000 mile mark. I then noticed a significant improvement in mpg. on a long trip got 340 miles on a tank and to gas light did not go on yet. then filled up with 9.1 gallons. I also had filled up in Pennsylvania. I live in NY where the gas is highly oxygenated which makes it harder to get that kind of mileage. I also do much better on very misty days. water injection i guess?
SS RICH