I had a similar problem. I went in one day with the TSB and showed the service adviser and made an appointment for the following day.

There was a different adviser at the desk the next day when I went in and I was given quite a hard time, being told that my VIN may not be on the list for upgrade.

I was later told that my Fit qualified and that the upgrade would be done.

That was on December 1st, and I've filled the tank several times since, and there hasn't been any improvement at all in the gauge accuracy.

What to do, what to do......?

 

i'd take it to another dealer if there's one close by... or go back to the same dealer and tell them they f-ed up.

if it's done right, there's no mistaking it. the change in the behavior of the monitor is not subtle.

how inaccurate is the monitor?

 

I haven't driven but a few miles since the reflash, so I can't tell the impact on the mpg gauge yet, but I do wonder if anyone has noticed a difference in the little sliding instantaneous mpg bar. Mine seemed to be reacting faster than normal--it appeard to adust for slight throttle inputs a lot quicker than it used to. Is this just my imagination, or has anyone else noticed this too?

 

I think that a lot of dealers just don't like customers having a TSB in hand. Sort of pokes a hole in their egos. Mine was done, but not until I called American Honda. Till then 2 dealers just laughed at me. These smart-A dealers are with every car make, so it's not just Honda. Even after I showed them mine the first time, they claimed it did not exist. I actually had it in my hands, they read it and still claimed it did not exist. Anyway, all ended well, in the long run.

 

Sounded like some dealers just don't want to perform warranty work. I called my dealer 2 days after the bulletin was released, asked him to look it up and he found it. The appointment was made for the next day. All he asked was if my car is under 32K miles.

 

Was this teachable moment with the Fit, or with another car?

 

I'm wondering which dealership? Friendly?

 

Your description suggests that the dealer did not, in fact, do the update. My gauge was consistently 10-15% optimistic from the very first tank; after the update, it's quite close to the mileage that I calculate -- sometimes over, sometimes under. The problem is, you are probably now in Honda's maintenance database (I assume they have one), as having been updated. I don't know if there is any way for a dealer to read the state of the software to confirm if the update has, in fact, been done. However, I don't think you will have enough evidence to present to Honda until you have done, say, 10 fill ups, comparing the calculated and reported MPG. If the gauge is still significantly off after that, try going back to a Honda dealer, or contact Honda.

 

It's a shame that Honda is stuck with some of these jerks as dealers. They generally have such great cars, and most of the dealers are very good. Honda has earned my loyalty for life. Once my Solstice goes to the happy hunting ground, I'll find an appropriate Honda to take its place. (Hope they still make the S2000 or something similar)

 

Unofortnately, the S2000 is done for. I believe 2009 or 2010 is the last year of production (link). The Rumored (potential) replacement is something totally different, supposedly with SH-AWD and in Coupe format. I wouldn't even consider it an S2000.

My experience with Honda Dealerships has been different... It really depends on the individual dealer and often times the reputation you build with them. I talked with the Service manager at ours a few times when we were looking for a place to service our cars. I explained past experiences and he said his goal was to take care of our needs and if there were any issues, contact him directly. I've talked with him a few times since but just out of luck... not out of need.

~SB

 

RATS! If they are not going to have a sports car, I might have to find a way to keep my Solstice going. That might be hard since parts are already getting scarce, and GM quality control sucks. Mine has been in for warranty work 20 times in the 20 months I have owned it. A blast to drive, but a maintenance headache. I won't however, go without a ragtop!

 

Might be time to trade the Solstice in for an S2000 Now. Have a piece of history that will make it long enough to be considered... History. the S will last forever too.

~SB

 

Unfortunately, Solstice resale values are in the toilet. The body style of the S2000 is bland and old, even though it's a great car. I was hoping they would spice it up a bit, but that's not going to happen, apparently. Guess I'll sit and see what they come up with. Just hope it's a ragtop!

 

There is the CR-Z coming out, but it's build for economy rather than power.

CR-Z Hybrid Sports Coupe Concept - Official Honda Web Site

 

Looks interesting. See what it is like when it comes out. Doesn't look like a ragtop though!

 

I just had the update done to my Fit. I brought in a copy of the TSB along with a spreadsheet of my fillups documenting how far off the Fit's MPG meter was from the calculations based on mileage and gallons of fuel used. The dealer gave me no hassle and did the upgrade under warranty. Here is the description of the service on my invoice:



I'm still on the first tank of gas since the update so I can't report on the accuracy of the new software.

 

Hi Uncle Gary,

I know you said not to ask, but I've been filling to the top of the neck for some mpg consistency, so I'd like to know what kind of damage am I doing?

Didn't fill to the top today for the first time in months, so is there any chance that the system will recover somewhat if I stop topping off?

Inquiring minds want to know....

Alex (near Poughkeepsie)

 

Morehead in Newburgh.

 

Modern cars have an evaporative emissions control system, which traps and
recycles fuel vapors through a charcoal canister. If you overfill the fuel
system, the fuel can expand into the vent line and liquid fuel can flood the
evaporative emissions plumbing, purge valve and canister. This can damage
the charcoal canister, making replacement necessary. I did this on my 1984
Shelby Charger, and as I remember, it cost more than a few bucks to replace
the canister and purge the system of liquid fuel.

The mechanic told me "kid, stop topping off your gas tank". I did, and
never had a problem again.

Uncle Gary

 

I had a gas station in NJ top off the tank in my Prelude... it was morning on a Sunny Day, 90+ degrees (almost 100 by noon), Black/Black Car and the gas station was about 1 mile from the house. Car sat all day and baked in the sun. The next day I went out to the car and the pressure had built up so high that it burst the seal on the gas cap. Gas leaked out and down the side of my car. Ate away at the paint down the side. Cost the Gas Station's insurance company $500. ...Another reason not to top off the tank.

~SB