What is wrong with my Fit??
I tried to stay out of this thread for as long as possible, but I can't take it any more. I'm going to start the on-topic part of my post with this quote from the Prophet Elijah Muhammad:
"Don't condemn if you see a person has a dirty glass of water, just show them the clean glass of water that you have. When they inspect it, you won't have to say that yours is better."
You're lack of knowledge is the proverbial dirty glass in this case, btw.
But I don't want to be your brother on this site, I would love for you to leave and never come back, but let me educate you.
Why does your Honda Fit get lackluster mileage?
-A) Its a tall, not-exceedingly aerodynamic car
-B) Because you/your mother don't possess a skill that should be requisite in legally driving a car you had to pay extra for a power-draining, inefficient slushbox (or you're just lazy, and even more worthless in that case)
-C) You don't know how to drive with a steady foot and are likely constantly accelerating/decelerating; and/or using cruise which lessens mileage.
-D) You're speeding; in which case, good luck to your local LEO's.
Also, you realize you're getting what Honda said you'd get right? Just b/c some anonymous folk on the internet claim 40 mpg doesn't mean that's a guarantee with anyone. Everyone's area/driving habits are different.
Finally, EVERY successful car manufacturer has gone down the exact same path as the one Honda is on, at this point it is essentially inevitable. Honda has already said the new Accord will be a return to the former glory, let's hope, and btw, while you're talking up your '00 and '07 Accords, realize those cars sucked too.
If you had conducted yourself in a manner that would've warranted even the slightest respect, I would've ignored this thread completely, b/c of the thinking outlined in the quote. You however time and time again proved your desire to troll members of a site who are enthusiasts of something you'll never understand.
Do I think Dwalbert is a tool? YES.
Do I think you and he are on equal levels of hammer-like symptoms? YES.
Once again, please leave and never come back.
"Don't condemn if you see a person has a dirty glass of water, just show them the clean glass of water that you have. When they inspect it, you won't have to say that yours is better."
You're lack of knowledge is the proverbial dirty glass in this case, btw.
But I don't want to be your brother on this site, I would love for you to leave and never come back, but let me educate you.
Why does your Honda Fit get lackluster mileage?
-A) Its a tall, not-exceedingly aerodynamic car
-B) Because you/your mother don't possess a skill that should be requisite in legally driving a car you had to pay extra for a power-draining, inefficient slushbox (or you're just lazy, and even more worthless in that case)
-C) You don't know how to drive with a steady foot and are likely constantly accelerating/decelerating; and/or using cruise which lessens mileage.
-D) You're speeding; in which case, good luck to your local LEO's.
Also, you realize you're getting what Honda said you'd get right? Just b/c some anonymous folk on the internet claim 40 mpg doesn't mean that's a guarantee with anyone. Everyone's area/driving habits are different.
Finally, EVERY successful car manufacturer has gone down the exact same path as the one Honda is on, at this point it is essentially inevitable. Honda has already said the new Accord will be a return to the former glory, let's hope, and btw, while you're talking up your '00 and '07 Accords, realize those cars sucked too.
If you had conducted yourself in a manner that would've warranted even the slightest respect, I would've ignored this thread completely, b/c of the thinking outlined in the quote. You however time and time again proved your desire to troll members of a site who are enthusiasts of something you'll never understand.
Do I think Dwalbert is a tool? YES.
Do I think you and he are on equal levels of hammer-like symptoms? YES.
Once again, please leave and never come back.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
Originally Posted by Car and Driver
Other than the excellent Fit, recent succeeding versions of existing Honda models have tended to be fussier, cheaper, and generally less interesting than the cars they superseded.
...At least Honda has admitted some errors with the Civic, and is said to be rushing improvements into production
...At least Honda has admitted some errors with the Civic, and is said to be rushing improvements into production
My mom purchased a 2011 Honda Fit last fall, on my behest. She was looking for a nice, compact 4 door hatchback for getting around town that had decent driving characteristics and good cargo space, but the most important thing to her was fuel economy. I had owned a couple of Accords before and had been very happy with them, plus I read several owner reviews (including several on this board) about how they were constantly getting better fuel mileage than the EPA estimates, so I pushed her in the direction of the Fit.
Well it has been about 8 months since she bought it, and we have NEVER, not ONCE, hit 35 mpg even in constant interstate driving, but worse, we cannot even top 30 mpg anymore. I have been driving this thing to work the last couple of weeks to try to figure it out using different driving styles and trying to work the pedal a bit but to no avail. My driving during this time has consisted of about 80% highway (interstate) and 20% city. Yet I am averaging 30 mpg dead on. I could get that in my old Accords! What gives??? The one thing I will comment on is that this is the 5 speed automatic and it shifts ALL OVER THE PLACE. It shifts if you breathe, then it shifts again. It shifts if you look at it wrong. If I am pulling a hill to get on the insterstate for example, and it has shifted down into 4th and I am accelerating up the hill just fine, it STILL shifts again down into 3rd even though it was having zero problems pulling the hill in 4th, and without my pressing the gas pedal down any more. Is there something wrong with the tranny, that would explain the poor fuel mileage? Someone please help! I feel like I did my mom a disservice! Thanks
Well it has been about 8 months since she bought it, and we have NEVER, not ONCE, hit 35 mpg even in constant interstate driving, but worse, we cannot even top 30 mpg anymore. I have been driving this thing to work the last couple of weeks to try to figure it out using different driving styles and trying to work the pedal a bit but to no avail. My driving during this time has consisted of about 80% highway (interstate) and 20% city. Yet I am averaging 30 mpg dead on. I could get that in my old Accords! What gives??? The one thing I will comment on is that this is the 5 speed automatic and it shifts ALL OVER THE PLACE. It shifts if you breathe, then it shifts again. It shifts if you look at it wrong. If I am pulling a hill to get on the insterstate for example, and it has shifted down into 4th and I am accelerating up the hill just fine, it STILL shifts again down into 3rd even though it was having zero problems pulling the hill in 4th, and without my pressing the gas pedal down any more. Is there something wrong with the tranny, that would explain the poor fuel mileage? Someone please help! I feel like I did my mom a disservice! Thanks
Last edited by phenoyz; Jun 11, 2012 at 11:09 AM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 152
From: NH
^+1 Life is too short to be stuck in a situation you don't like. Get another car that makes you happy. Finding the right balance between miles per gallon and smiles per gallon is tough for any car but the Fit does a pretty good job at it.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
From: Little Rock, Arkansas USA
I tried to stay out of this thread for as long as possible, but I can't take it any more. I'm going to start the on-topic part of my post with this quote from the Prophet Elijah Muhammad:
"Don't condemn if you see a person has a dirty glass of water, just show them the clean glass of water that you have. When they inspect it, you won't have to say that yours is better."
You're lack of knowledge is the proverbial dirty glass in this case, btw.
But I don't want to be your brother on this site, I would love for you to leave and never come back, but let me educate you.
Why does your Honda Fit get lackluster mileage?
-A) Its a tall, not-exceedingly aerodynamic car
-B) Because you/your mother don't possess a skill that should be requisite in legally driving a car you had to pay extra for a power-draining, inefficient slushbox (or you're just lazy, and even more worthless in that case)
-C) You don't know how to drive with a steady foot and are likely constantly accelerating/decelerating; and/or using cruise which lessens mileage.
-D) You're speeding; in which case, good luck to your local LEO's.
Also, you realize you're getting what Honda said you'd get right? Just b/c some anonymous folk on the internet claim 40 mpg doesn't mean that's a guarantee with anyone. Everyone's area/driving habits are different.
Finally, EVERY successful car manufacturer has gone down the exact same path as the one Honda is on, at this point it is essentially inevitable. Honda has already said the new Accord will be a return to the former glory, let's hope, and btw, while you're talking up your '00 and '07 Accords, realize those cars sucked too.
If you had conducted yourself in a manner that would've warranted even the slightest respect, I would've ignored this thread completely, b/c of the thinking outlined in the quote. You however time and time again proved your desire to troll members of a site who are enthusiasts of something you'll never understand.
Do I think Dwalbert is a tool? YES.
Do I think you and he are on equal levels of hammer-like symptoms? YES.
Once again, please leave and never come back.
"Don't condemn if you see a person has a dirty glass of water, just show them the clean glass of water that you have. When they inspect it, you won't have to say that yours is better."
You're lack of knowledge is the proverbial dirty glass in this case, btw.
But I don't want to be your brother on this site, I would love for you to leave and never come back, but let me educate you.
Why does your Honda Fit get lackluster mileage?
-A) Its a tall, not-exceedingly aerodynamic car
-B) Because you/your mother don't possess a skill that should be requisite in legally driving a car you had to pay extra for a power-draining, inefficient slushbox (or you're just lazy, and even more worthless in that case)
-C) You don't know how to drive with a steady foot and are likely constantly accelerating/decelerating; and/or using cruise which lessens mileage.
-D) You're speeding; in which case, good luck to your local LEO's.
Also, you realize you're getting what Honda said you'd get right? Just b/c some anonymous folk on the internet claim 40 mpg doesn't mean that's a guarantee with anyone. Everyone's area/driving habits are different.
Finally, EVERY successful car manufacturer has gone down the exact same path as the one Honda is on, at this point it is essentially inevitable. Honda has already said the new Accord will be a return to the former glory, let's hope, and btw, while you're talking up your '00 and '07 Accords, realize those cars sucked too.
If you had conducted yourself in a manner that would've warranted even the slightest respect, I would've ignored this thread completely, b/c of the thinking outlined in the quote. You however time and time again proved your desire to troll members of a site who are enthusiasts of something you'll never understand.
Do I think Dwalbert is a tool? YES.
Do I think you and he are on equal levels of hammer-like symptoms? YES.
Once again, please leave and never come back.
Everyone on here basically has the same answer--that I am not driving it the correct way, as you claim in your response above. If so, what in the world would you recommend I try different, since I have tried about 137 different driving styles over the last month of so to get it to quit doing this (or at least do better on the fuel mileage?)
Again, most of my driving is highway/ interstate, at 65mph. I drive 4.2 miles from my house to the interstate, through 5 stoplights, merge on the interstate, set the cruise at 65mph and leave it until 22 miles later when I exit the interstate, and go through 2.4 more miles and 3 more lights of stop and go traffic. I would say that equates to about 85% highway driving, where my mileage should come out around 32-33 mpg AT LEAST. I have tried romping the pedal, feathering the pedal, even tried putting it in D3 so it would not shift through the last couple of gears in the city driving. I have tried ALL of this over the last month, and nothing has changed. Still reading 29-30mpg, and this car only has just over 8000 miles on it. So I ask again, what do I have to do to fix this?? That is the primary question I asked when I first posted on here, and it seems like every answer has something to do with driving the car different. And STILL does. Let me repeat- I HAVE TRIED EVERY METHOD KNOWN TO MAN OF DRIVING THIS CAR.
Now, if you have any more advice or suggestions related to the mechanics of the car, since that is pretty much the only option I am left with, then fine, I'll be happy to hear them. But quit saying it is the way I or my mom is driving the car. I'll play your game and not bash Honda or its owners or its lovers anymore, but you have to play mine as well, which is giving me some useful information that might explain my dilemma. None of your bulleted list above qualifies.
Last edited by seb9316; Jun 11, 2012 at 12:10 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,302
From: Louisville
Getting the EPA numbers, or close to them is not a mystery worthy of extra explanation. Beyond that 5 speed AT with lockup torque converters are going to be busy.
Is the car owner concerned about the car's characteristics or just you on her behalf?
Is the car owner concerned about the car's characteristics or just you on her behalf?
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
...most of my driving is highway/ interstate, at 65mph. I drive 4.2 miles from my house to the interstate, through 5 stoplights, merge on the interstate, set the cruise at 65mph and leave it until 22 miles later when I exit the interstate, and go through 2.4 more miles and 3 more lights of stop and go traffic. I would say that equates to about 85% highway driving, where my mileage should come out around 32-33 mpg AT LEAST. I have tried romping the pedal, feathering the pedal, even tried putting it in D3 so it would not shift through the last couple of gears in the city driving. I have tried ALL of this over the last month, and nothing has changed. Still reading 29-30mpg, and this car only has just over 8000 miles on it. So I ask again, what do I have to do to fix this??
Your highway driving by these numbers is 77%. There are probably more stop and go trips during the week that you're not counting. (I'm a bit confused, who really drives the car?)
I have to admit I was a bit annoyed I wasn't getting 40mpg out the gate after reading all the fish stories on this site. When I got the car, 32mpg was all I could manage. After changing the tires (better quality low roll resistance Michelin Energy) and having it aligned the MPG increased to 35mpg. I've seen 36-38mpg depending on my routine for the week.
Please try taking it out on when there's less traffic. reset the trip odometer (so the avg MPG is reset). Set the cruise for 55mph and drive for 60 miles (or even 30). Report back the display results (it's accurate within +/- 1mpg).
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,899
From: tx
OP- did you check the air filter? Your mileage went down from when you got it, if I remember correctly. By 10k miles, mine as gunked up pretty bad, which would hurt the efficiency of the engine.
You've tried out different driving styles, so I have some questions:
What are your tire pressures? Driving with the a/c on at all, including defrost? Are you fighting heavy head winds regularly? Do you have to deal with any hills during this commute? What type of gas are you using (major brand? octane?) Did you change the oil yet? Still can't remember the mileage on the car. If you did change the oil, what weight did you go with? Check your receipt if you don't know, and to double check it is the proper weight.
You may have answered these questions previously in the thread. Apologies, I'm short on time. Surely we can get your mileage up a point or two, and make the engine a little happier so that it doesn't need to downshift as much, and make sure it is as it should be from the factory in its current state.
You've tried out different driving styles, so I have some questions:
What are your tire pressures? Driving with the a/c on at all, including defrost? Are you fighting heavy head winds regularly? Do you have to deal with any hills during this commute? What type of gas are you using (major brand? octane?) Did you change the oil yet? Still can't remember the mileage on the car. If you did change the oil, what weight did you go with? Check your receipt if you don't know, and to double check it is the proper weight.
You may have answered these questions previously in the thread. Apologies, I'm short on time. Surely we can get your mileage up a point or two, and make the engine a little happier so that it doesn't need to downshift as much, and make sure it is as it should be from the factory in its current state.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
Changing the air filter earlier than recommended does not help, and may reduce engine life. The dirt in the filter actually helps filter additional particulates.
Changing the air filter before 30K miles unless you drive dirt roads a lot isn't recommended.
More.
As for the rest, tire pressure below spec will hurt mpg. Using the A/C seems to decrease mpg 1-2mpg.
Don't get me going on gas octane.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,899
From: tx
Yes, but I figure a reduction in horsepower might be why the car feels the need to shift frequently, which wastes power and could be the biggest factor in the poor mileage. I've never driven and automatic around town, but it does sound like the shift patterns are annoying. If the car had more torque, this wouldn't happen by my logic, as the ecu calculates load with some other factors to determine if a shift is needed. Right? I don't know a ton about the auto/ecu controls on any car, but tuners can change the shift behavior in a reflash, so I figure its all in there somewhere.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
the automatic is busy. it's got 5 gears and a torque converter lockout to play with.
I've been driving autos and manuals since 1974 starting with a 2 speed chevy powerglide on a 283 V8. Talk about annoying. Back then people gushed about having a "passing gear" (3 speed auto). I'd wind it out to about 55mph in first and CLUNK hit second. Top speed was about 90. I was constantly playing with the transmission kick down linkage to try to get more time in 1st. Happily the car didn't mind my meddling.
I think people that find the Fit's auto annoying have never owned a small car with an automatic. A 95 Ford Escort 4 speed auto is annoying.
The Fit's auto shifts as it should and is quite clever about it. It is not as silky smooth as a 67 buick 430-4 with a 3 speed turbo-hydramatic.
I've been driving autos and manuals since 1974 starting with a 2 speed chevy powerglide on a 283 V8. Talk about annoying. Back then people gushed about having a "passing gear" (3 speed auto). I'd wind it out to about 55mph in first and CLUNK hit second. Top speed was about 90. I was constantly playing with the transmission kick down linkage to try to get more time in 1st. Happily the car didn't mind my meddling.
I think people that find the Fit's auto annoying have never owned a small car with an automatic. A 95 Ford Escort 4 speed auto is annoying.
The Fit's auto shifts as it should and is quite clever about it. It is not as silky smooth as a 67 buick 430-4 with a 3 speed turbo-hydramatic.
Bump
The Fit is not for everyone and the same goes for all other cars out there in the market. Doing your homework helps. Test-driving helps... Purchases are made for different reasons and expectations. Bottom line is if you're happy then it's a good buy. If you're not happy then it's time to rethink your decision.
Have a great day everyone, whether you have a Fit or not!
Have a great day everyone, whether you have a Fit or not!
Boy this thread is getting almost, I said ALMOST 
as colorful as the (should I say it?) gas/octane (shivers 
) thread... 
Ok I'll bite again since I'm being lumped into the we, us and all category... Btw, breaking down long posts into paragraphs make for a more pleasing reading experience...
No technical/mechanical inputs/suggestions here... Back to my 1st post. I'm quite happy with my Fit with the versatility and function it provides.
I'm with adolan21, "Finding the right balance between miles per gallon and smiles per gallon is tough for any car but the Fit does a pretty good job at it."
Waste of gas is when you're no longer having fun driving what you have... Time to move on! Getting down to the DNA level is an abyss...
Idk, I see about 10-20 Fits a day driving around here, I think Honda did a pretty bang up job. Seems like the the majority of the automotive press both driver and consumer oriented also agree.
Not for everyone though I guess. IDK what's wrong with yours. GL
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
From: Little Rock, Arkansas USA
Tires are Dunlop SP31 O.E. equipment, have no idea whether these are low rolling resistance tires, they are all season and come factory stock on most Fits. Tire pressure checked @ 33psi cold tire pressure, one more than Honda's recommendation (should not hurt fuel mileage)
Checked air filter when resetting the ECU the other day-- filter looks fine, underside is just a hair dirty
Would love to check and reseat the spark plugs if I could get to them, but unbolting the windshield wipers and pulling cowling off to get to them is unnecessary effort (reason I complained about this earlier) Plus, everyone says that the plugs shouldnt have to be checked for 100,000 miles. But what if one of them is a bit loose?
Checked auto tranny fluid and all obvious other fluids, everything is fine. Car seems a bit more underpowered now though ever since I reset the ECU. Don't know what that's about, may be in my head. Then again, I may see better fuel economy when I check it the next few times-- haven't dropped enough fuel yet to refill (maybe a good sign.)
My mom drove it up until the last month or so, where a) I wrecked her car and she drove the rental while I took over the Fit, b) she got tired of shifting all over and asked me to look into it. I thought it was all in her head at first, but I totally agree with her.
I will try it at 55mph as best I can on the interstate, around here that maight get you run off the road, but I am not sure what that will tell me except that real world mpg is not what Honda or the EPA says it is on this car, because driving @ 55mph on the interstate is not usually a viable option. Most interstates have a minimum required speed of 60mph these days.
I have driven a 95 chevy cavailer (fairly small, not as small as the Fit) and a 93 and 94 Mazda Protege (again fairly small but not as small as the Fit) all with auto trannies. None of them shifted the way this does, then again that was 15 years ago. I don't get the whole "feels busy" concept-- a 5 speed should not feel as busy as a 6 speed auto, but my mom's new car (a Hyundai Sonata) has a 6 speed auto and it seems FAR less busy than the Fit.
But you admit that there IS something wrong?
Checked air filter when resetting the ECU the other day-- filter looks fine, underside is just a hair dirty
Would love to check and reseat the spark plugs if I could get to them, but unbolting the windshield wipers and pulling cowling off to get to them is unnecessary effort (reason I complained about this earlier) Plus, everyone says that the plugs shouldnt have to be checked for 100,000 miles. But what if one of them is a bit loose?
Checked auto tranny fluid and all obvious other fluids, everything is fine. Car seems a bit more underpowered now though ever since I reset the ECU. Don't know what that's about, may be in my head. Then again, I may see better fuel economy when I check it the next few times-- haven't dropped enough fuel yet to refill (maybe a good sign.)
Don't fix it: it's not broken.
Your highway driving by these numbers is 77%. There are probably more stop and go trips during the week that you're not counting. (I'm a bit confused, who really drives the car?)
I have to admit I was a bit annoyed I wasn't getting 40mpg out the gate after reading all the fish stories on this site. When I got the car, 32mpg was all I could manage. After changing the tires (better quality low roll resistance Michelin Energy) and having it aligned the MPG increased to 35mpg. I've seen 36-38mpg depending on my routine for the week.
Please try taking it out on when there's less traffic. reset the trip odometer (so the avg MPG is reset). Set the cruise for 55mph and drive for 60 miles (or even 30). Report back the display results (it's accurate within +/- 1mpg).
Your highway driving by these numbers is 77%. There are probably more stop and go trips during the week that you're not counting. (I'm a bit confused, who really drives the car?)
I have to admit I was a bit annoyed I wasn't getting 40mpg out the gate after reading all the fish stories on this site. When I got the car, 32mpg was all I could manage. After changing the tires (better quality low roll resistance Michelin Energy) and having it aligned the MPG increased to 35mpg. I've seen 36-38mpg depending on my routine for the week.
Please try taking it out on when there's less traffic. reset the trip odometer (so the avg MPG is reset). Set the cruise for 55mph and drive for 60 miles (or even 30). Report back the display results (it's accurate within +/- 1mpg).
I will try it at 55mph as best I can on the interstate, around here that maight get you run off the road, but I am not sure what that will tell me except that real world mpg is not what Honda or the EPA says it is on this car, because driving @ 55mph on the interstate is not usually a viable option. Most interstates have a minimum required speed of 60mph these days.
the automatic is busy. it's got 5 gears and a torque converter lockout to play with.
I've been driving autos and manuals since 1974 starting with a 2 speed chevy powerglide on a 283 V8. Talk about annoying. Back then people gushed about having a "passing gear" (3 speed auto). I'd wind it out to about 55mph in first and CLUNK hit second. Top speed was about 90. I was constantly playing with the transmission kick down linkage to try to get more time in 1st. Happily the car didn't mind my meddling.
I think people that find the Fit's auto annoying have never owned a small car with an automatic. A 95 Ford Escort 4 speed auto is annoying.
The Fit's auto shifts as it should and is quite clever about it. It is not as silky smooth as a 67 buick 430-4 with a 3 speed turbo-hydramatic.
I've been driving autos and manuals since 1974 starting with a 2 speed chevy powerglide on a 283 V8. Talk about annoying. Back then people gushed about having a "passing gear" (3 speed auto). I'd wind it out to about 55mph in first and CLUNK hit second. Top speed was about 90. I was constantly playing with the transmission kick down linkage to try to get more time in 1st. Happily the car didn't mind my meddling.
I think people that find the Fit's auto annoying have never owned a small car with an automatic. A 95 Ford Escort 4 speed auto is annoying.
The Fit's auto shifts as it should and is quite clever about it. It is not as silky smooth as a 67 buick 430-4 with a 3 speed turbo-hydramatic.
Agreed. Most small engined automatics of old also had 4 speeds and were much less busy.
Idk, I see about 10-20 Fits a day driving around here, I think Honda did a pretty bang up job. Seems like the the majority of the automotive press both driver and consumer oriented also agree.
Not for everyone though I guess. IDK what's wrong with yours. GL
Idk, I see about 10-20 Fits a day driving around here, I think Honda did a pretty bang up job. Seems like the the majority of the automotive press both driver and consumer oriented also agree.
Not for everyone though I guess. IDK what's wrong with yours. GL
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
I will try it at 55mph as best I can on the interstate, around here that maight get you run off the road, but I am not sure what that will tell me except that real world mpg is not what Honda or the EPA says it is on this car, because driving @ 55mph on the interstate is not usually a viable option. Most interstates have a minimum required speed of 60mph these days.
No interstates have a minimum speed of 60mph. 45mph on some.
edit: you wrecked her car and took over driving the Fit while she drove the rental and her new car is a Sonata?
Under light acceleration the Fit locks its torque converter in each gear. When shifting to the next higher gear it unlocks (a slight bump), then shift (a slight bump) then lock (a slight bump). Repeat 3 more times on your way to 5th gear. If you increase throttle, it unlocks the torque converter (a slight bump), downshifts (a slight bump), then as you ease off, it upshifts (a slight bump) and then locks the converter (a slight bump).
The other cars you've driven probably don't lock their converters until top gear and above 50mph. The logic in the Fit could be considered a disadvantage with all the extra "bumps" (they're barely perceptible), but it's working for you to save fuel; the torque converter wastes fuel when it's unlocked in the form of heat created by pumping hydraulic fluid through a turbine/stator.
Last edited by Steve244; Jun 11, 2012 at 03:51 PM.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
From: Little Rock, Arkansas USA
Under light acceleration the Fit locks its torque converter in each gear. When shifting to the next higher gear it unlocks (a slight bump), then shift (a slight bump) then lock (a slight bump). Repeat 3 more times on your way to 5th gear. If you increase throttle, it unlocks the torque converter (a slight bump), downshifts (a slight bump), then as you ease off, it upshifts (a slight bump) and then locks the converter (a slight bump).
The other cars you've driven probably don't lock their converters until top gear and above 50mph. The logic in the Fit could be considered a disadvantage with all the extra "bumps" (they're barely perceptible), but it's working for you to save fuel; the torque converter wastes fuel when it's unlocked in the form of heat created by pumping hydraulic fluid through a turbine/stator.
The other cars you've driven probably don't lock their converters until top gear and above 50mph. The logic in the Fit could be considered a disadvantage with all the extra "bumps" (they're barely perceptible), but it's working for you to save fuel; the torque converter wastes fuel when it's unlocked in the form of heat created by pumping hydraulic fluid through a turbine/stator.
Sorry, we bought the Fit for her last fall to be an around town car, her other car was an early 00's V6 Impala, the one I wrecked a few weeks ago. Her name was on the rental, so she drove it while I took over driving the Fit. Last week she bought a new Sonata to replace the Impala. It's obviously a wait-and-see with regards to the reliability of a current Hyundai vs proven reliability of a Honda, but I'll say this-- that Sonata drives like a damn dream.
Last edited by seb9316; Jun 11, 2012 at 04:23 PM.
New Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6
From: alhambra
I agree that hills can hurt the MPG a lot. I live in the SF area and there are tons of hill and I am only getting 29 MPG mostly (90% city driving). I noticed that the MPG does much better than I am driving on flat road(around 30-32).
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,671
From: Boston, MA
Wow this has gotten very colorful to say the least. I think there is no need to bash the OP, nor is there any need for him to get upset at people who do like the car. I like the Fit. He doesn't. I'm probably not going to convince him it's a good car, at this point. But does it matter if I do? No. I'm happy to RECOMMEND the Fit as a car but one of my wife's friends just bought a Soul over our recommendation, and that's fine with me. It's OK, there's plenty of other cars he can buy. I personally HATE the Sonata - I found it excessively loud with a pull to the right, the latter of which apparently affects ~50% of the cars from the factory - but it's one of the best selling cars currently so plenty of people feel differently. You will probably beat the Fit highway MPG for sure, because it's a more slippery shape, and the tradeoff is mostly that you cannot fit a chest of drawers inside.
I would actually concur strongly not to drive 55 on the interstate. At least not in a populated area. I did this once to see if I could improve fuel economy on the CRV (a car with terrible aerodynamics and about a 1mpg drop for every 5mph you go faster than 50). I could improve it, but it was very scary and I would say very unsafe. Not worth the extra 3c/mile I would save ...
It sounds like you're getting very close to the EPA mileage. That's normal. Some people are over, some under. Maybe you have lots of hills in your area. It's really hard to tell. I think you should stop worrying about it. If it matters so much that you are willing to bear the substantial switching costs, then you can buy something else. If you like other things about the car, you can keep it. It's up to you. But I don't think anything is "wrong" because you're getting the EPA, and I think if you've tried to drive it in many different styles you're unlikely to improve further. I mean, to review: you're taken it to a mechanic, who thinks everything is in order; the enthusiast group suggests maintenance checks you've already tried; you've tried different driving styles; and - surprise! - as a result of all that you're getting very close to the EPA MPG. To me that all sounds ... normal?
Heck maybe someone on here would like it! And they know you dislike the car so they'll get a good deal on the price.
I would actually concur strongly not to drive 55 on the interstate. At least not in a populated area. I did this once to see if I could improve fuel economy on the CRV (a car with terrible aerodynamics and about a 1mpg drop for every 5mph you go faster than 50). I could improve it, but it was very scary and I would say very unsafe. Not worth the extra 3c/mile I would save ...
It sounds like you're getting very close to the EPA mileage. That's normal. Some people are over, some under. Maybe you have lots of hills in your area. It's really hard to tell. I think you should stop worrying about it. If it matters so much that you are willing to bear the substantial switching costs, then you can buy something else. If you like other things about the car, you can keep it. It's up to you. But I don't think anything is "wrong" because you're getting the EPA, and I think if you've tried to drive it in many different styles you're unlikely to improve further. I mean, to review: you're taken it to a mechanic, who thinks everything is in order; the enthusiast group suggests maintenance checks you've already tried; you've tried different driving styles; and - surprise!
- as a result of all that you're getting very close to the EPA MPG. To me that all sounds ... normal? Heck maybe someone on here would like it! And they know you dislike the car so they'll get a good deal on the price.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
From: Little Rock, Arkansas USA
Wow this has gotten very colorful to say the least. I think there is no need to bash the OP, nor is there any need for him to get upset at people who do like the car. I like the Fit. He doesn't. I'm probably not going to convince him it's a good car, at this point. But does it matter if I do? No. I'm happy to RECOMMEND the Fit as a car but one of my wife's friends just bought a Soul over our recommendation, and that's fine with me. It's OK, there's plenty of other cars he can buy. I personally HATE the Sonata - I found it excessively loud with a pull to the right, the latter of which apparently affects ~50% of the cars from the factory - but it's one of the best selling cars currently so plenty of people feel differently. You will probably beat the Fit highway MPG for sure, because it's a more slippery shape, and the tradeoff is mostly that you cannot fit a chest of drawers inside.
I would actually concur strongly not to drive 55 on the interstate. At least not in a populated area. I did this once to see if I could improve fuel economy on the CRV (a car with terrible aerodynamics and about a 1mpg drop for every 5mph you go faster than 50). I could improve it, but it was very scary and I would say very unsafe. Not worth the extra 3c/mile I would save ...
It sounds like you're getting very close to the EPA mileage. That's normal. Some people are over, some under. Maybe you have lots of hills in your area. It's really hard to tell. I think you should stop worrying about it. If it matters so much that you are willing to bear the substantial switching costs, then you can buy something else. If you like other things about the car, you can keep it. It's up to you. But I don't think anything is "wrong" because you're getting the EPA, and I think if you've tried to drive it in many different styles you're unlikely to improve further. I mean, to review: you're taken it to a mechanic, who thinks everything is in order; the enthusiast group suggests maintenance checks you've already tried; you've tried different driving styles; and - surprise! - as a result of all that you're getting very close to the EPA MPG. To me that all sounds ... normal?
Heck maybe someone on here would like it! And they know you dislike the car so they'll get a good deal on the price.
I would actually concur strongly not to drive 55 on the interstate. At least not in a populated area. I did this once to see if I could improve fuel economy on the CRV (a car with terrible aerodynamics and about a 1mpg drop for every 5mph you go faster than 50). I could improve it, but it was very scary and I would say very unsafe. Not worth the extra 3c/mile I would save ...
It sounds like you're getting very close to the EPA mileage. That's normal. Some people are over, some under. Maybe you have lots of hills in your area. It's really hard to tell. I think you should stop worrying about it. If it matters so much that you are willing to bear the substantial switching costs, then you can buy something else. If you like other things about the car, you can keep it. It's up to you. But I don't think anything is "wrong" because you're getting the EPA, and I think if you've tried to drive it in many different styles you're unlikely to improve further. I mean, to review: you're taken it to a mechanic, who thinks everything is in order; the enthusiast group suggests maintenance checks you've already tried; you've tried different driving styles; and - surprise!
- as a result of all that you're getting very close to the EPA MPG. To me that all sounds ... normal? Heck maybe someone on here would like it! And they know you dislike the car so they'll get a good deal on the price.
Now that we have that clarified, if other Fits do not perform like mine (which they apparently don't from comments from loyalists on here) then I have a problem with MY Fit, not Fits in general, as I have said repeatedly I would be OK with the shifting/ underpowered engine if the mpg were up to snuff.