I go to Canada every so often -- usually in November for a week-long bowling tournament. On a previous trip, I had noticed that the 2000 Jeep Cherokee (my wife's car) was sluggish going up hills, on Canadian gas. This time, I was in my '19 Fit LX, and in two tanks that it took me to get home from Moncton, NB, the first one (Canadian), I got only 32.5 mpg. When I refilled (7.8 gallons, so I still had a couple of gallons of Canada Dry in the tank), I got 36.2.

Do they use a different formulation? I always use 87 octane.

Urb

 

We have a winter gas. It's hard to tell if it's the gas that is giving lower mileage as winter is not good for fuel economy in general. Through all the years of all the vehicles that I've owned, the mileage drop is consistent and expected. It has been beaten to death, but where you buy your gas from can make a difference i.e. Esso and Petro Canada are usually the better quality gas vs. some of the others. What isn't a secret is when you buy your gas when they lower the price when their tanks are low. The reasoning is b/c there is more dirt/contaminants when their tanks are low.

Other factors are altitude, air density and air temp to influence fuel economy.

Having driven cross country through the states, I find that as long as you are driving smoothly and everything is maintained well (I'm OCD on this), then mileage shouldn't be too off.

 

OK, thanks for the info! I thought yesterday's test was as objective as possible, because it was 100% highway driving, same day, same weather, same everything. First tank, 32.5. Fill up on this side of the border, and immediately, the number went up! This is a new Fit with 6,000 miles on it, so everything's presumably working exactly the way it's supposed to. I'll probably be going back in two years (the bowling tourney alternates between the USA and Canada), so I'll plan on doing another test!

Urb

 

Hey, I'm in San Diego and get 22 m.p.g. in the city! P.U.! Would would ever think by looking at this tiny car that that's all you get in the city? I have gotten good mileage on the highway though. That's the only thing I don't like about my Fit, except for the lousy ride.