HELLo from Canada (Honda Fit M/T)

[Andrei_ierdnA]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

My guess is your step dad didn't completely top off the tank. Nice of him to help out, but that's going to mess with your numbers.

I guess the best thing to do faced with the 'problem' of someone putting fuel in is to immediately make sure it's topped right up and start fresh.

He's told me in the past that apparently you need to top off until the pump goes 'CLUNK' 3 times, which I don't get the logic behind. He couldn't explain it either, but he's a car sales-man so "he knows cars".
I always top off until the first 'CLUNK' of the pump. And then I even go as far as moving the hose to drip off all fuel that was stuck in the bottom part of the hose and turn the pump handle upside-down to get even the last drops.
Anyways you made a great point, I have not clue what he did...

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

It just doesn't like bad record keeping.

You are 100% right. I've checked the online dashboard from my insurance company since I have the telematics device for 6 months and noticed my step dad took my car for a 10 km spin around town. I don't know when he filled up the tank, and I only reset the trip computer when I got in the car later, so that's definitely bad record keeping.

Thanks guys for helping me figure this one out.

[Andrei_ierdnA]

After adjusting for the 9 km that wasn't taken into account into the fuel mileage calculation, I got 30 mpg instead of 28 mpg for that tank of mostly premium gas. It was still a bad data recording event.
I've talked to my mom's boyfriend this weekend about it and he was shocked. He said he filled it to the top, 3 pump clicks and then took it for a 9 km spin around town. He claims premium gas gives him about 10% better fuel mileage versus regular (he drives a Nissan Versa hatch w/ 5 speed manual).
I'll have to experiment with different fuel grades myself, but the price difference is substantial. If premium is about 15% more expensive than regular, but only supposedly gets you 10% better FE...then I'll rather take the cheaper gas.

[Fat Charlie]

I'd be leery of "better mpg" claims from higher octane. It doesn't have more energy per gallon, it has more resistance to combustion, which allows for higher compression. It's not "better gas" so much as "gas that is specified for higher compression engines." It's "better" for them, more expensive for us.

[PaleMelanesian]

I've tried a few tanks of premium and never found any difference beyond the normal daily variation. If there was anything, it's too small for my measurements to detect.

[Andrei_ierdnA]

Still haven't tried premium or mid-grade gas. From my research and what I've found on this forum, I doubt I want to bother. Also checked my area and mid-grade gas is about 10% more expensive and premium is actually 20% more.

Anyways, found a hilarious sticker and I just couldn't help myself. I also got my girlfriends' approval...didn't want her to hurt my SmurFITte or my chestnuts.

Here you go:

[RoadTripRob]

Sticker is great. Why are the first gen fits not more popular with eco modders, they are a lot cheaper than most of the "eco" cars yet give an easy 40+mpg?

is 40mpg still considered good?

[Andrei_ierdnA]

Originally Posted by RoadTripRob

Sticker is great. Why are the first gen fits not more popular with eco modders, they are a lot cheaper than most of the "eco" cars yet give an easy 40+mpg?

is 40mpg still considered good?

Thanks - I like that sticker too.

I don't know if first gen Fits get easy 40+ mpg.
I've got the 2nd gen Fit, which is slightly more fuel efficient. Only passed 40 mpg on 4 out of 72 tanks of gas; best tank was 42mpg.

However I'm a novice hypermiler and won't sacrifice on creature comforts such as using the AC and blasting music, or unplugging the day-time running light fuse.

And sometimes I like to accelerate hard and rev to redlight, just for the fun of driving stick shift.