Well, I took delivery of a SSM Fit Sport (AT) on Halloween night. So far, so good. No issues with wiper noise, or headlight aiming. The first tank disappeared pretty fast, yielding about 29.5 mpg in mixed driving.

Some observations- it's taken me a few days to get used to the ergonomics- At first I thought the driver's seat was too soft, and too low, and I couldn't get a comfortable relationship between the steering wheel distance and the pedals. Now that I'm getting used to it, I'm finding it fairly comfortable, though an extra inch of seat height or a telescoping wheel would certainly be better. The instrument illumination is nice, but I wish the tachometer was a little bigger, and the laughable 140 mph speedometer means that almost half the large dial will never see the needle.

I'm not using the paddle shifters as much as I thought I would. I can see where they would be cool for sporting driving, but on a twisty road, they are difficult to use in turns where the wheel is turned 90 degrees or so. It's nice to have the option of using the shifter paddles, but for the most part, it shifts about where I would anyway.

I thought I would be annoyed by the transmission downshifting on even slight inclines, but the shifting is so smooth that it really doesn't bother me at all.

Wish I could have the heater in windshield defrost setting without having to also run the air conditioner, but there's no way to turn that off.

Aside from these few minor quibbles, I love this car, and I'm looking forward to a long relationship with it. Now, if it would only stop raining, so I could enjoy my car without getting it so dirty!

 

Here's a link on a do it yerself way to disable the a/c while in defrost if your willing to take a few things apart.

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-diy-repair-maintenance/8534-c-defrost-mode-questions-answers-solutions.html

 

I something wrong (err, right) w/ mine? I have no problem turning on hot (w/o turning on AC) for the windshield.

 

no, there's nothing wrong with yours, he just means the compressor automatically runs when you use the defroster. You don't have to turn on the AC to get heat, it's just the way it was worded.

 

It seems that most folks not accustomed to Japanse cars (at least Hondas) aren't used to the fact that you can run the A/C while heating the car at the same time. It just means that the heated air stays dry and hot, which is better for defrosting windows. On my dad's car, for eaxmple, which is a Mercury Sable, I believe the temp dial is also used to turn on the A/C when you turn it all the way to cold. So, no possibility of heat with the A/C. I think this confuses folks sometimes.

JonasM

 

Having the AC on when defogging the windshield is a good thing. The AC system removes moisture from the air. Heating the windshield raises the temperature above the due point which makes the moisture evaporate back into the air. The AC removes the moisture which is works better when the engine is cold.

 

I completely understand the logic of intetgrating the AC with the defroster, I just wish it would give me the choice. In my '96 Corolla, I often use the AC Along with the defrost, but it doesn't automatically run the compressor in defrost mode. Not a big deal really, it works fine, but there's a fuel penalty for running the vent in that mode, that's all.

Doogiefish, thanks for the DIY link. I'm not sure it bothers me enough to start taking things apart in my new car, but it's good to know that a fix exists.

 

Can't you adjust the temp? I use the a/c alot for my asthma...if it's cold out but humid, I run the a/c but turn the temp to hot....

 

Its not the air conditioner thats running, its the compressor for the a/c. Its still hot air coming out.

 

Congrats on the Fit! I got mine on Halloween too. I can also comment on the driving position...It took a few adjustments, but I think I have found the sweet spot. I do have to extend my arms a bit more than I am used to, so I might get a lumbar support at some time to help with it.

 

Congrats on the new car.

I dont even own a Fit yet and Ive found a decent seat position already. From the many that Ive sat in I think I found it. I wouldnt really know till Ive been driving a good 20-30min.

But the first thing I wished it had was a telescoping steering wheel as you said jazzplayr. It would work wonders in this car.

 

A/C light on while running the heater/defroster, it's on the owners manual.

 

Not on ours, it just kicks the compressor on when you move the dial to defrost -- nothing lights up at all.