Whatch this video: Motoring TV : Quakerstate Garage?

 

It costs a lot of money to add that 6th gear. A casual driver won't want to have to be shifting all the time through a close ratio box. As long as the fit is an econo-box and the norm for econobox cars is 4 or 5 gears in a manual, it makes no sense for Honda to go 6 speed.

Zach

 

Q: Should the Fit have 6 gears?

A: Yes, to lower the RPM in when in the final gear at highway speed. Also the 2011 Fit RS has a 6 speed M/T which may be available in the 2012 Fit.

P.S.: Use search next time

 

Driving from NY to Boston and then back through New Haven with the cruise control on, a somewhat hilly drive, made me realize that if my AT had a sixth gear it'd be downshifting an awful lot.

 

Lack of torque is why, 3500 rpms @70 mph in 5 gear is insane for a economy car. I know the auto has a lower final gear ratio so I am sure the rpm is lower on the highway at 70 mph. The auto will down shift for more torque and the manual need the rpms higher to move.

 

Whatever FIT's torque shortcoming is, I don't mind because I am always a happy camper fueling up my FIT at gas stations....$35 for a full tank that can run about 300 miles.

If the market wants more torque and 6 gears, there are several great vehicles but there would be a likely chance one will have to pay $100 to $120 per full tank fuel up for 300 miles as well.....

 

I wouldn't mind a 6MT with a 2nd taller OD for long interstate highway trips, as long as it lets me put around at ~70 around 2500rpm, maybe a hair less...

As far as getting sick of rowing through the gears, I usually shift my MT GD3 1-2-5 when not in a hurry.

Though I would like reverse to be on an awkward dogleg out of the pattern on a 6MT.

 

Maybe an R1.8 or K20 with a AMG 6 speed in the Fit, They would never sell anything else.

I skipped shift too but usually 3 to 5th because getting on the Highway.

 

A bigger motor in the Fit would also bring better mpg. It depends on how you drive it though. I am getting better mpg in my Civic than I ever did in the Fit. I drove 330 miles and spent 34 dollars for premium and thats in the winter. I usually spend 25-30 dollars in the summer. The K20 in a lighter car would get 30 mpg or better highway.

 

I would like to find a way to use a K series 6 speed. I bet the bellhousing could be made to work, everything else might be a pain though.

I may look into that when I start to talk with a few Auto trans builders about a manual valve body for GE and GD auto Fits. Like the Road Surge shift kits they make for DSMs!

And I agree I really only run out 3rd gear when merging on the highway because traffic is usually going +80mph

 

My 3rd gear goes to 95 mph

 

I love the Fit's gear box. I don't mind the RPMs on the highway. Most of the noise seems to come from the tires anyway, not the engine. I enjoy shifting on the back roads where it's fun--not on the highway. For me, the highway is for cruising and listening to some good tunes, not working the shifter. 5th will handle pretty much anything on the highway for passing or cruising and has lots of pull. Anything 5th won't handle, 3rd will take care of. I wonder if a sixth gear would improve highway mileage? I already get 40 mpg or better on most highway trips so I have my doubts.

 

I wouldn't mind having a taller 5th gear as others have mentioned. 90% of my commute is freeway driving and the taller 5th gear would yield better fuel savings. Coming from a Civic Hybrid I was one to appreciate 60+ mpgs. I have only had the Fit for 3 weeks now and the first tank was 34 mpgs and I might be at 37 on this tank.

 

Speaking of swapping gear ratios, check out this thread by blackndecker:
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/gene...iscussion.html

 

6th for me would do me almost no good in the MT. With the country roads, 5th gives me the combination of Torque & economy that I need cruising at 50mph-60mph. 6th gear for VT would be too tall and require me to shift more (down to 5th). also, 6th would be only for extremely level highways in a 6MT format as too many people would likely bog the engine before shifting on the slightest incline. Anyone who drives a Fit along Rt 88 in New York from Binghamton to Albany knows how useless 6th gear would be 1/2 the time (uphill) and it would only be useful for keeping the engine noise lower (downhill). I doubt there would be any fuel economy gain as there is NO level portion of that road. 5AT owners know how often the fit already shifts at the slightest uphill because of the lack of torque.

I'd love a 6speed... mated to an R18 or in some sort of FI setup but realistically, without those changes, I think a 6MT wouldn't see much, if any, benefit.

~SB

 

I could see a 6AT before a 6MT.
For you flat landers, you could probably go a few miles in 6th w/o bogging. But in hill country, I would hate to see what the casual driver did to his engine.

Zach

 

Mine goes to eleven...

 

totally agree. Try putting premium in an 18 gallon tank that gets you only 200 miles on a good day. That's $60 a tank.

 

Just a thought. Could we pull the Six speed MT from the CRZ and do a swap with our Five speed MT? They use the same engine. I don't see a reason why they wouldn't work.

 

While they use a variation of the same motor, it isn't the same so I'm not sure the transmission would mount right up. also, the gearing in the CR-Z is tuned for a hybrid and not the fit's Torque-less motor. (I believe 1st gear is taller than 1st on the fit). also 6th gear is only a little taller than 5th on the 5MT and it is actually shorter than 5th on the 5AT. While it might (and I say MIGHT) fit physically, it looks to be all wrong for the FIT from a gearing standpoint.

You might gain 1mpg on the highway and the performance numbers would likely drop.

~SB