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View Full Version : Newbie: 2007 Honda Fit Sport AT


Sid 6.7
05-23-2008, 11:41 AM
My name is Jay and I have a 2007 Honda Fit Sport AT. I traded in a 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE, and one of the biggest reasons was cost of ownership and wanting better fuel economy. I miss the Altima's power sometimes, but not the fuel bill.

Here is a list of any and all mods I can think of that might have a bearing:

8,000 miles on a 2007 Honda Fit Sport AT
Full Tank of 87 octane
Royal Purple Synthetic Race Oil 5W30 running 3/4 quart Low (on purpose)
45psi of Nitrogen in tires
205/50/15 Hankook Ventus HRII H405 rubber
15"x7" Konig Next wheels
SSR Intake (Sid Short Ram Intake, the guys over at FitFreak.net named this DIY intake after me)
No spare or jack (but I do have a 10" sub with amp and box)
250lbs Driver

Up until the new wheels, intake and oil, I was averaging 20-23mpg at the most in 100% city driving, and sometimes that was trying to get the most out of it. I was disappointed when I first got the Fit. The city mileage was pitiful, and honestly it was no better than the Altima 3.5SE V6 I had just traded in. Highway mileage was below average as well, only getting 35-36 MPG at it's best.

I am now getting, on average, 42-44mpg even at 70-75mph, on highway trips, which is awesome, to me at least. And I am averaging 26-28mpg on 100% urban, city driving, with trips only averaging 3-4 miles. I live quite close to where I work.

I am quite pleased now with the Fit's mileage, but I would always like to do better. With gas prices headed up with no end in sight, purchasing this car was a wise investment. Hopefully I can learn some more techniques here.

One of the techniques I am trying out for myself, is comparing full auto driving versus manual paddle shifting in 'S' mode. The goal is to emulate how I would drive a 5 speed manual transmission and control rev shift points myself. I think the full auto program just can't keep me where I want to be in the powerband to maximize mileage. We shall see.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Fit2.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Fit.jpg

Sid 6.7
05-23-2008, 11:46 AM
Here is the Altima I traded in.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Altima.jpg

atlaw4u
05-23-2008, 12:00 PM
Hi and welcome to the forum. You may want to start with this article (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510) if you haven't already read through it.

Also, make sure your tires are aired up to the maximum pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall.

fanamingo
05-24-2008, 02:55 PM
Welcome to CleanMPG! The Fit is a good car with a lot of potential. We have some Fit drivers here that consistently get 45 mpg tanks and higher. Slow down a bit on the highway and your mileage will get even better. I'll second the recommendation to read the link atlaw4u provided. Driving habits make a huge difference in results. As an example, Wayne (xcel) recently completed a trip from Chicago to New York in a Prius for ~70 mpg. A reporter from CBS made the same trip in an identical car leaving at the same time for only ~40 mpg.

Prius - Chicago to New York on a single tank Wayne's Progress (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11136)

Also, doesn't the Fit call for 5W20? If so, the 5W30 may be huring your mileage a small amount.

sailordave
05-24-2008, 04:01 PM
I'd say go back to your stock tire size. If you want to improve mpg you don't want to go with fat wide treads. Throw away that big box you have in the back and get your spare tire and jack back in there. The day you loose one of your tires is the day you'll regret ever taking the spare and jack out of your car. I've had a blow out on a Dallas interchange. Thank God I had sense enough to have a spare tire, jack, and portable aircompressor (spare tire was low). You want to keep waking up the neighbors with your stereo then get a smaller box for your subwoofer. I outgrew loud booming car stereos back in 1989. I now get quality factory size speakers attached to the factory stereo with a hidden amp and I'm perfectly fine.

sailordave
05-24-2008, 04:13 PM
I checked the Honda site and the correct size tire for your model Fit is 195/55 R15 84H. What you have now is a wider tread and lower profile than standard. Shop around for some low rolling resistance tires for the original size. Not sure the size of your rims but you may be able to put that size on the rims. I'd check the weight of the rims compared to factory original rims. If factory weigh less then I'd sell the aftermarket rims and put the stock back on.

Sid 6.7
05-24-2008, 11:41 PM
Thanks for the encouragement. With the new wheels and tires I dropped almost 20lbs on each corner of unsprung weight.

The box and sub are about 12 lbs. so no real problem there. And I have swapped the factory 6.5" speakers for higher end, and the sub is a 10" just to add a little punch, not enough to even hear it outside the vehicle with the windows up.

I have to correct weight oil in it.



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