Couldn't resist on the title. Naturally this is my experience/opinion blah blah blah...

About 3.5 months ago, I changed jobs and my commute has changed drastically.

At my old Job, I would commute 26 miles each way on 50mph country roads over smooth rolling hills with some 25mph towns and a few stop signs. I ran that commute for 6 years, 2.25 with the Fit and my economy for that period averaged just under 38mpg.

The Last three months have been the following: 6-7 miles each direction with one stop in the morning. 1/2 of the commute is through town (25mph) and the rest is on 50mph roads. Also, I have done a number of 11 mile drives to and from a branch office during the day on 35mph roads with 6-7 stop signs/lights. Much more "city-like" than my previous commute. I also take a few trips a week for lunch about 3-5 miles. the last three months, the fit has averaged just over 33mpg.

I track my economy using my phone and a handy little free Android App called MyCars. I threw together the info below to compare my previous commute VS my current one and thought I'd drop it out here for all to see.

For consistency, I compared the same months so weather conditions and most of my other activities would be similar. The commute stats are from the beginning of October through the 1st week in January (As best as I could do based upon when I Filled up the tank)
2009-10 - Miles: 3599 - Gallons: 101.02 - MPG: 35.63 - fill-ups: 11
2010-11 - Miles: 3656 - Gallons: 99.00 - MPG: 36.93 - fill-ups: 12
2011-12 - Miles: 1941 - Gallons: 58.42 - MPG: 33.22 - fill-ups: 6

I'm seeing the Fit fall closer to the EPA estimates for the vehicle but even with temperatures dropping, I'm still keeping the fit's average fuel economy above the "highway" ratings. (we've had a few sub-zero mornings here)

My experience is that the fit Loves country roads, even moderately hilly ones as long as the speed isn't high enough for the vehicle's drag to take effect. (I noticed the drag impact with the roof rack and fairing installed last year). The fit definitely suffers in more "city-style" driving and my drop looks to be an average of 3mpg. I'll see if it holds that difference in economy over the next few months or whether it drops further/less.

Either way, i'm driving about 60% of what I was doing before which makes the $$ savings that much better - that said, my oil change will likely come sooner (from an odo standpoint) and longer (from a time standpoint) but we'll see.

Just thought a few might be interested.

~SB

 

tl;dr

automatic or manual transmission?

 

Yup... I find it most fuel efficient around 45 mph on local roads (up to 65 mph on the highway).

Unfortunately for me, my Fit see most of its miles doing deliveries in suburban roads with too many stops. My overall mpg is just about 30.

 

5MT

Added to the sig... thought it was there.

~SB

 

yes, but what is your REAL fuel economy?

 

my REAL fuel economy depends on how much I eat that day (because weight is an issue... )

Lifetime calculated is in my sig... it had been about 2K miles since I last updated it so I figured today might be a good choice.

~SB

 

Nice to see a good SIG and updated as well. If everyone had a simple sig w/ year/model/tranny it would help all to understand. So let's go folks.

Good summary and insight as well. A look at your conclusive world of MPG, should stand as a model for all, well most - eh Steve?

 

took your suggestion to heart and updated my avatar to something really meaningful...

 

Thanks for sharing! I have far fewer miles on mine, but I notice better mileage on my daily commute which is 50% stoplights and 50% country roads than when I am on the highway especially if I use the cruise. Still way better than my truck and above EPA estimates so far. I use an app on myiphone as well as fuelly.

 

That depends on what speeds your are cruising at. After about 65 mph, the mpg will start to fall. At 80, it's almost worse than my deliveries.

 

I'm usually between 65 and 75

 

My Altima had an AVG MPH gauge as well as the AVG MPG. In the Fit, i was probably about the same speed across the board as my commute never changed (time-wise). the Altima ranged from an avg MPH of 41-44 for a regular commute. The fit loves these speeds in 5MT form.

Shorter commutes & faster speeds (65+) are not the Fit's forte'.

~SB