My first all highway trip

Rod2Rice · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 12:55 AM

OK so did a 200 mile highway drive over the weekend, my first since I got the Fit back in May. Was only able to get a best of just under 32mpg. I really was hoping for upper 30's at the minimum. Fee factors probably kept it down a bit. I was going about 72-73 most of the trip using cruise control, my gas is 10% ethanol, and I didnt get to run the tank until close to empty, so I filled up with only about 2/3 of the tank being used. Guess I need to travel further to really test it!

kylerwho · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 01:03 AM

are you in cali? heard some news about some type of clean gas additive. does it affect mpg? i think the car has vtec engaged when your doing 70. slow down 10 mph and your mpg will improve greatly.

BlueCell · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 01:06 AM

Its somewhere just under 70mph is where Vtec engages. Try going all highway at 67mph and see how much gas improves.

dank24 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 01:08 AM

I go just about 70-85mph everywhere (highway). And I still get 32mpg+.

I draft like a mofo though, those big SUVs that like to speed lol

kylerwho · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCell

Its somewhere just under 70mph is where Vtec engages. Try going all highway at 67mph and see how much gas improves.

I think it is just at 3400 rpm that vtec engages so go as fast as you can as long as your running under 3400 rpms to achieve max mpg.

solbrothers · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 01:14 AM

you need to slow down. at those speeds, you must use more throttle because you are fighting the aerodynamic drag

kylerwho · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 02:10 AM

the fit is not too aerodynamic no matter what speed you go. though i have been noticing that people who drive a constant 55-58 mph have been getting better mpg. anyone care to explain? seems obvious of lower rpm and drag equals less fuel burnt but why in the mid to upper 50s?

E = Mc2 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:19 AM

I've noticed my best mileage comes in when I keep the motor at or below 2000 rpm. That puts me in the 50-55mph range, which is where I try to keep it on my daily 100 mile commute to/from work. Mine is an AT, so that may make a difference. 2500rpm with the AT = roughly 65mph.

That said, I packed the whole fam damily into the Fit Friday night and drove the 600 miles from KY to my parents' house in SC. With 775 pounds of people in the car and roughly 250 pounds of stuff; only hitting 70 mph when we going down hill; the first tank was 401miles / 10.2gal, or 39.3mpg. I was hoping for 40 or better, but it'll do. I set the tire pressure at sidewall max of 44psi before loading the car and only coasted about 7-8 miles the entire trip.

Rod2Rice · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 01:42 PM

I wasn't constantly watching the tach, but I know I was between 2500-3000. The road I was on was a 65mph limit, and even at my speed people were passing my by like crazy, so was hard to go any slower. The one BMW that passed me by probably doing around 120 was out of his/her mind.

tdesi420 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 08:55 PM

I would expect that you would have gotten into the 40's with that trip.

I also took a 200+ mile trip over the weekend from NYC to Philadelphia and back going on an average of 65-70 mph with rpms b/w 2500-3000 and got back 35.5mpg on my '99 Integra LS.

solbrothers · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:05 PM

i drive 50mph on the freeway. two reasons. 1. to get awesome fuel economy. 2. im an asshole.

JDMchris.com · #12 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solbrothers

i drive 50mph on the freeway. two reasons. 1. to get awesome fuel economy. 2. im an asshole.

driving under 55mph can get you a ticket on the highway/freeway

solbrothers · #13 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDMchris.com

driving under 55mph can get you a ticket on the highway/freeway

havent had an issue yet. i get passed by semi trucks LOL

Hootie · #14 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 10:58 PM

That millage seems fairly low for the speed gone and the distance driven even with 10% ethanol. What kind of roads were you traveling? Flat, hills?

Rod2Rice · #15 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 11:29 PM

My drive was 99% highway, flat for the most part, and very little traffic to boot. I just filled up again tonite, and got 301 miles from the tank, 2/3 of that was the 200 miles home, and got 32.11 mpg from it.

TOOL · #16 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solbrothers

i drive 50mph on the freeway. two reasons. 1. to get awesome fuel economy. 2. im an asshole.

Thats pretty ridiculous! I couldnt do it, i cant even drive 65mph. I hate being passed be grandmas haha.

Hootie · #17 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod2Rice

My drive was 99% highway, flat for the most part, and very little traffic to boot. I just filled up again tonite, and got 301 miles from the tank, 2/3 of that was the 200 miles home, and got 32.11 mpg from it.

Thats really strange, at least to me.

In my opinion I think using cruise control may have actually hindered your millage aside from the 10% ethanol. The cruise on these cars are just so sensitive to any drop in speed. If the speed drops or I increase it by 2 MPH, I notice a slight "tug" as the car gets to the set speed; which is something I don't feel when I'm controlling the throttle myself. Once again, that is my opinion.

DrKelso · #18 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solbrothers

i drive 50mph on the freeway. two reasons. 1. to get awesome fuel economy. 2. im an asshole.

For once, I agree with you. When people pass me I just chuckle to myself and think "Hehe...I'm getting better MPG's than you". If you absolutely need to drive fast, you probably should have left sooner...unless you're in labor or something...

Not to mention a quote from the trailer for the 2005 movie, Be Cool...always stuck with me.
*talking about the Honda Insight*
Martin Weir (Danny DeVito): "But what about speed?"
Chili Palmer (John Travolta): "If you're important, people will wait."

solbrothers · #19 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOOL

Thats pretty ridiculous! I couldnt do it, i cant even drive 65mph. I hate being passed be grandmas haha.

i just sit back and laugh at the people struggling like rats on a sinking ship.

solbrothers · #20 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrKelso

For once, I agree with you. When people pass me I just chuckle to myself and think "Hehe...I'm getting better MPG's than you". If you absolutely need to drive fast, you probably should have left sooner...unless you're in labor or something...

Not to mention a quote from the trailer for the 2005 movie, Be Cool...always stuck with me.
*talking about the Honda Insight*
Martin Weir (Danny DeVito): "But what about speed?"
Chili Palmer (John Travolta): "If you're important, people will wait."

lmfao!!!!! are we seperated at birth?! my thoughts EXACTLY!