First 6100 miles: gas mileage report

mynameisphunk · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 12:26 PM

Finally got my handwritten mileage log entered into a spreadsheet today. I've also been recording what the trip MPG meter reads vs. the actual to see how it varies under certain conditions. The car's been flawless...I need to work on getting that average MPG back up towards the 40mpg mark! I've been heavy-footed as of late.

For what it's worth, I haven't even checked my tire pressure since I picked up the car - so they should be at (or below) the factory recommended pressure throughout this time period.

Lifetime gas mileage so far: 38.31mpg

Steve244 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 12:57 PM

please describe your daily drive, auto/mt?

mynameisphunk · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 01:11 PM

2009 Fit Sport M/T, OEM wheels and tires, factory fill of oil (will be going synthetic at 7500 miles regardless of what the oil life monitor says, then will follow the monitor after that).

Typical drive is about 90/10 highway/city, with the highway portion including 35-45mph secondary roads with not much traffic. Typically when tank mileages were dipping into the 34mpg range, I was very heavy on the gas, accelerating spiritedly, doing 75-80 on the highway, frequent AC usage, lots of people/stuff in the car, etc... while the 42+ mpg tanks are with minimal or no AC usage, shifting at 2000-2500rpm in every gear, light on the throttle, and cruise at 65 on the highway.

Steve244 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 01:55 PM

thanks!8910

mike2100 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 01:59 PM

Sounds like the perfect commute. 45 mph secondary roads yield amazing mileage. Plus if there are curves you can really toss the car around.

mynameisphunk · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 02:52 PM

Actually, my "commute", at least work-wise, is 1.7 miles each way, usually done on a bicycle. These miles are strictly non-work related, and vary from trips to Boston, NYC, DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, to camping in the Adirondacks and lots of trips back and forth to my fiancee's house (120 miles each way), etc...

But yes, central PA has some fantastic roads....which is why my other car is an NA Miata

Shockwave199 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 04:46 PM

Just goes to show you- this car will do exceptional with hwy miles. I'm opposite- 90/10 city/hwy. The results are much different. But when I take to the hwy, improved mileage begins to soar. I'm not unhappy mind you. Without a perfect calculation like yours, I'm fairly certain I average 28 mgs most times, considering my city driving- with the trip mpg reading between 32-34 most days. That's way better than I ever did in my old clunker. I must adimt though, I do get jealous of you folks who do primarily hwy miles and get super results. That's really the only way no matter what car you're driving. City driving will eat into your results in a hurry, I find.

Dan

mynameisphunk · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 05:32 PM

Think about it in terms of number of minutes running per gallon, and I would bet you're destroying us highway travelers :-)

28 is damned good considering all city.

Shockwave199 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 07:18 PM

28 is about what the EPA is- no surpises. And yes, it's damn good I think. It could be more for all I know. I take whatever the trip mpg reads and subtract four, given the known history of it's inaccuracy. I haven't done an exact calculation to know for sure though. I've heard about test drives where they 'blow the epa numbers away'. In my observation, that can only be done on the highway. City, I think it falls right in line with the epa, or close to it. I don't think it's possible to best the epa's city number, unless you're overcompensating your driving habits in a big, unnatural way- and even then...

I knew what I was getting with the fit's gas consumption and so far it's been great. I'd love to report 40-50, but 28-35 is in no way bad either! And if you can sqeeze out a 40, beautiful thing!

Dan