I picked up my Fit on Friday and left Oklahoma on a trip to western Colorado. I have been over these roads before in various other vehicles. None of them would be considered good handling cars. When I reached some higher elavations the Fit seemed a little underpowered. I used the sport mode in my auto and I thought this would help going up and down the mountains. Climbing Raton Pass and going back down the other side on I -25, I fell in love with the sport mode. Climbing it was simply keeping the motor in it's powerband. I noticed that I was keeping up with the other cars and trucks. My confidence grew and I started passing cars even on the outside of curves that had this flatlander nervous on past trips. Going downhill was even better. Using the sport mode to get some engine braking was great. I found that I could downshift and the car seemed to grip the road even better with a little bit of the gas pedal. I am so impressed. It has done well with a full load of people and luggage. I even found out that the Fit will downshift itself for better engine braking in the "D" mode. I have put over 1000 miles on my Fit since Friday. Today driving west of Denver on I-70 this morning was even better than yesterdays part of the trip. I have had doubts about my choice of cars. This new car was a leap for me. I had this lingering feeling that I should have got a Civic the whole time I was waiting for my Fit. I made the right choice. I LOVE MY FIT.

 

How was it in the wind compared to past cars?

 

The wind that I have driven in with my Fit was in Oklahoma before I left. It does get a little wind buffeting going into the wind. A little in a cross wind also. Not nearly as bad as my old Geo Metro was. My Suburban gets shook by the wind due to large sides and frontal area. This car is more fun to drive than anything recent. The only thing I might have had more fun in was the 67 GTO I had when I was in high school. It was fast. It didn't handle as good as the Fit. I hope my memory is correct. That was years ago.

 

I have 1500 on mine. Im off to the Cape on sunday. 800 mile round trip.
Cant wait to see the gas milaege

 

I like going down a big hill in an MT and just letting the clutch out. Instant no-power acceleration!

 

you must like wearing out your clutch.

if you put it in neutral, its also illegal.

 

Why would that wear out the clutch? I only do it once in a blue moon and of course I match the revs when I re-engage it.

 

one word: PARAGRAPHS.

 

It would not wear out the clutch, but it would put a little wear on the throw out bearing. Just slip it into neutral instead of holding down the clutch.

Yes it may be illegal, but is outdated. It dates back from the days of manual drum brakes that could not stop you if you coasted too fast down a hill. In fact it is still illegal to drive at night in PA without firing a flare every 5 miles. There are plenty of archaic laws still in the books.

BTW driving 66 mph is illegal in most states.

 

from http://web.mit.edu/charvak/Public/Driving.doc

"the non-rotating throwout bearing has little ball bearings that allow it to push on the blue plate which is spinning at engine speed. These bearings have to exert a lot of force at a fairly high speed so they shouldn't be mistreated. They are wearing out whenever you press the clutch pedal. The rate at which they're being worn is proportional do the engine rpm. This is why all clutch operations should be in and out motions, avoid holding it out unless it's absolutely necessary."

 

Interesting, but I doubt it can be any more wear than a typical downshift.

 

Nice articale. what is the Source of this information. It sound like you wrote it and you have good experience and or school. I am Questioning you but I am not. Does that make sense? It is a very nice artical and because of reading it I am motivated to treat my trani even better technicley. Ive kinda don some of the stuff just from driving experience and I wrenched on stuff now and then. I just like to know what kinda stuff I am taking in. Ive learned some of the best technical stuff about things threw good word of mouth. Thanks for posting