So my 2015 fit is approaching the 40k mark, and I'm noticing the fuel economy is starting to dip slightly. I got new tires since the tread was running low, and I changed the air filter on a whim. What else is at the level of "air filter replacement" ease that I can do myself to keep the car healthy and working well?

Also, is there a standard fix for the armrest yet? Is the entertainment system jailbroken by anybody? I haven't checked this forum since I first got my car.

 

I suggest you download the 2015 owner's manual http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/p...u/5A1515OM.pdf and start reading from page 361 to determine which maintenance item meets your challenge. The most important maintenance is changing your oil and filter regularly as the longevity of the engine depends on it.

 

The dip in MPG is probably due to 1. Winter Gas, and 2. increased rolling resistance from the new tires.

Keep records of your maintenance work, too. Some owners write the last change date right on the components (filter housings, etc).

 

Does CA have winter gas? Does CA have winter?

P.S. Expecting 2cm/1" of snow today here in Toronto, Northern US will get hammered, again.

 

I'm sure they THINK they do...





Anyway, read this article from Tire Rack:

Tire Tech Information - Tire Rolling Resistance Part 3: Changes to Expect When Switching from Worn-Out to New Tires

 

as others previously stated, decrease in mpg is more than likely your new tires. I would recommend getting an alignment with your new tires if you already havent as the decrease could also be related to toe-in.

 

Cabin air filter. Windshield wiper rubber blades. Inspecting your engine fluids on a regular basis. Checking tire pressures once per week (check spare tire pressure once per year). I power wash the engine air filter once per year since it's made out of synthetic media. Works like a charm.

 

that

that makes no sense

 

Fully agree. No sense whatsoever. This is what happens when you're not willing to spend the $18.66 for that part. Upside is I don't have to throw the used one in the garbage. I also shoved the front end of the intake piping with sponges as a pre-filter to extend the longevity of the filter I powerwash. I know, adding to the no sense factor. Loving it. lol

I applied the same strategy for the air filter on the civic I owned for 50k miles. Again, worked like a charm.

 

Also changing various light bulbs; see the owner's manual for instructions.

While they require a few more tools and/or are a bit messy, both changing the oil and rotating the tires do not really require any more mechanical aptitude than changing the air filter. If you don't have a set of jack stands etc. such that you can support the entire car in the air, rotating the tires is a rather long and involved process, I'll admit.

(There are various oil filter wrenches out there. By far the handiest I've found so far are oil filter pliers; Harbor Freight has one set inexpensively, and it's certainly the kind of tool where Harbor Freight's occasionally questionable quality doesn't make any real difference.)