I was wondering how many miles I should be able to expect to get out of this vehicle. I drive 380 mile a day for my job using the fit. Using my Subaru for work I tallied up 335000 mile on it and just sold it. Also wondering is there any scheduled repairs I'll have to do? Like on the Subaru every 100,000 was the timing belt. I am always looking to get the most gas mileage out my vehicle besides the usually drive the speed limit, avoid aggressive acceleration, does 89 91 octane make a difference or anything else can?

 

ooo me first!

Your Fit has a timing chain instead of belt, so there's no belt maintenance; the chain is "life of engine." But it does need the spark plugs changed around 100K and the valves adjusted at that time (solid lifters). That's probably around $300 at Honda. Read your owner's manual, there's this handy electronic maintenance minder thingy. It's more than just counting miles; it looks at many operation parameters to calculate maintenance intervals. Use it.

There are some high mileage Fits here (200k?) with no reports of extraordinary repairs. I think it'll do 300K but you'll have some repairs (cv joints, shocks etc) by then. Automatic transmissions might last that long, but I wouldn't bet on it. The consensus seems to be that the recommended (by maintenance minder) intervals for transmission fluid changes is longer than ideal. If you want to play it extremely safe, 30K ATF changes (if you have an automatic) might be beneficial. MTs I'd let go longer.

89-91 octane will make a difference in the price you pay for fuel, but little else. The most you might expect is a small increase in top-end power (maybe enough to notice) but this won't help mpg.

 

Tire selection and maintaining tire inflation will have an effect on your milage as well, but you presumably already realize that. Valve adjustment at somewhat more frequent intervals than 100K miles wouldn't hurt, either—maybe 50K miles or so.

Beyond that, for highway driving, removing weight (like the back seats if you don't need them) and possibly working on some sort of a lower belly pan/cover for the engine bay would be the best easy bets for bettering your milage.

 

I know tires make a lot of difference, I put cheap tires on my Subaru and lost 3-4 mpg. Which tires are the best? Well I'm hoping I can get close to that 300,000 mile mark, 90% of my driving is hiway miles. I hate to deal with that tranny thing since mine is an auto Tran.

 

What sort of issues did you have with the Subaru over those miles?

I'm really satisfied with Michelin Energy tires. My mpg went up 3mpg compared to the factory OE dunlops. At 35K on the Michelins they appear to have more than 50% life left. I replaced the dunlops at 30K (they were toast). Michelins are about 25% more than other tires I've priced but based on performance they are worth twice as much. Mine is a Base model, Michelin and others make the OE size, the Sport is a bit harder to fit but there are other sizes that work well.

 

A few people have posted a nice MPG bump as well as a quieter, smoother ride with Bridgestone Ecopia tires in the 205/50/R16 size, so may want to check those out.

I had 217,000 miles on my 2002 Civic when I sold it after I bought the Fit and it was still running like a champ. I don't think you'll have a bit of trouble getting at least 300k out of the Fit with normal maintenance, especially if it's mostly highway miles, which is what it sounds like.

-Dustin

 

yeah, time may take as big a toll as miles. The last Honda I had averaged about 18K a year. At 150K and 8 years it started to get more expensive, new radiator, ABS accumulator, CV joints, muffler. I replaced the shocks around then too. Sold it at 225K after a couple more engine mounts and 12 years. It was still running strong. Never had any electrical issues (other than batteries) over the years.

On your 09, it had 1 factory recall for Lost Motion Springs in the valve train. Make sure this work was done. As part of that they will adjust valves. There was also a ECU reflash to correct data tables used to calculate mpg. Other than the displayed amount (10-15% too high) there were no other fixes in the reflash.

 

QUOTE="Steve244;1222256"]What sort of issues did you have with the Subaru over those miles?
Just timing belts, all four brake calipers that's about it

 

I think I increased my gas mileage by ~7 with removing the backseat. It's suppose to be 100 lbs - if you're interested in going that route I have several sources on how to get it done, consolidated from fitfreak.

 

yeah I took them out right away. It's been so cold here in Minnesota I'm sure I'll get better mileage when it gets warmer. Im getting 35 hwy mpg. That's actually checking it.

 

[QUOTE=Bama3Dr;1222257]A few people have posted a nice MPG bump as well as a quieter, smoother ride with Bridgestone Ecopia tires in the 205/50/R16 size, so may want to check those out.





I have the sport model, what tire size options do I have?

 

Want to improve your MPG?

1. Remove any racks, etc. unless you're actually using them.
2. Don't carry stuff you don't need.
3. Keep your windows closed and don't use the AC unless you have to.
4. Get a Scangauge or an UltraGauge. The Fit's mpg display is great, but these are even better.
5. Not accelerating aggressively is great- driving as if you don't have brakes is even better. The car will slow on its own if you let it and let off the gas soon enough.
6. Leave enough space in front of yourself to allow a constant speed.
7. Plenty of air pressure in the tires, preferably Low Rolling Resistance ones.

You can go crazy with hypermiling, but these are some good things to start with.

 

380miles a day? holy hell... i drive like 23miles a day tops. hahaha