The shifting at 2500 comment has nothing to do with going into or out of S mode. Basically if you want to play around with the paddle shifter, put the selector in S, and shift manually with the paddles. You can use the paddles when the selector is in D, but the tranny will put itself back in the proper gear if you try to make it do something that it shouldn't do. The shifting before 2500, at least as far as I would suggest, is just letting the AT shift on its own, just try and keep the rpms under 2500 when it shifts (IE dont stomp on the gas). Thats going to equate to very slow starts, but that will also net you the best mpg. Personally I just try and keep the rpms under 3000 at all times.

 

just took delivery of a fit sport AT too, got about 30 mpg for the ride back home and using it for a few days. very pleased. is it allright to use the S- mode during break in? i'm actually using the S mode to try to conserve more gas, or is that just me being stupid?

 

Well I just tried the paddle shifters in S mode on my way into work this morning, and I definatly was able to keep the rpms under 3000, and most of the time was able to keep it under 2500 to as low as 1500.

I read the manual last night and it does say it can take unleaded 87 and up, so my next tank of gas I might try a medium grade to see how that does with the gas milage.

Thanks for all the insight and help from everyone, I really appreciate it.

 

Dont waste the money on better gas, all its going to do is empty the pocket faster.

 

So your saying that the better gas wont improve the mpg?

 

yes

There is no data at all to support that bogus claim

 

[quote=gyzer;373579]Well I just tried the paddle shifters in S mode on my way into work this morning, and I definatly was able to keep the rpms under 3000, and most of the time was able to keep it under 2500 to as low as 1500.

I read the manual last night and it does say it can take unleaded 87 and up, so my next tank of gas I might try a medium grade to see how that does with the gas milage.


If you're going to test go to the highest octane gas. Make sure there's a difference.
Actually, thanks to the different formulations by refineries to produce 87, 91, and 93 octane gasoline there may well be higher energy contents in higher octane gas. Higher energy content means more mpg.
(from an old refinery engineer) And there are many comments to improved mpg on the net as not. But the last time I saw runs on a dyno with fixed conditions there was an improvement in mpg with higher octane gas. That being said, it doesn't have to always be true. It depends on the crude stock you begin with. And additives. And fractions off the distillation towers. And...
Racers use higher octane gas for 2 reasons: first because their engines may have enough compression that high octane is necessary to prevent 'knock' but second because the energy content of the higher octane gas yielded higher power (2 hp may not be much to you...) We used to go around collecting gas from several stations and run what is called a heat of combustion test. A known quantity of gas and air is placed in a 'bomb' and ignited. The rise in temperature of the bomb shell (or water bath around it) is measured to determine how many btu per pound was generated. All for SCCA and IMSA showroom stock racing where only a few engines really needed high octane. And no prize money. Back then Amoco premium, Sunoco premium and Shell premium came out on top by a few per cent. Did it make a difference? Heck who knows, we didn't have a standard to compare with. But when you are racing ...

Besides myself there are others who have run a tank or two of regular and shifted to high test and found an increase in mpg but the increase was never enough to justify the higher prices. Generally the premium cost 10% more but we only gained 5% on mpg.

Now the kicker: there are serious differences between brands of gas for energy contents. That does mean some gas will get higher mpg than others. But thats this week; next week it may be different. Thats because gasoline is not a straightforward recipe; it varies a lot even at the same octane and brand. That only leads to trying another brand if your current mpg is not what you'd like.

 

Well my mpg has gone up with driving in S mode and shifting up to 5th gear faster and keeping my rpms under 3000 for the most part, and at lower speeds under 2000.

My mpg now is 25.9, I calculated it from half a tank.

Before, it was at 22.7. I've only been driving in S mode for about a quarter of a tank, so on my next tank I hope to get over 26mpg with driving in S mode.

Thanks to everyone with your comments and sugestions, you've all really helped me out.

 

I wouldn't worry about it until you're past 3,000 miles. I didn't start seeing consistent gas mileage until around 4,000 miles.

 

Calculating from half a tank will give you false results especially if you are eye balling it. When you fill up at the pump will yield the true results unless you have a SG and know how to use it, Paul knows of this.