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Old 01-11-2016, 01:14 PM   #1 (permalink)
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SmurFITte - '13 Honda Fit LX
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HELLo from Canada (Honda Fit M/T)

Hello everyone,

I've lurked on this great forum a bit before, but just signed up now.
I've stumbled across the great art of hypermiling about a year ago while still driving a '98 Chrysler (Dodge) Intrepid which had a pretty low MPG. I only had that car for a couple years, during which I managed an all time average of 26 MPG (9.1 L/100km here in Canada). Been keeping track on Fuelly.com.

No mods, only SGII and keeping tires around 40-44 PSI.

About 3 months ago, for my 29th birthday, I bought a used 2013 Honda Fit LX with manual transmission at just under 40,000 km. So far my average has been just under 36 MPG (6.6 L/100km) but I would like to see it climb up to 40 MPG, especially after I get better at shifting gears and get into some warmer weather.

The Canadian cold weather and winter gas have a negative impact on fuel mileage. With the Intrepid it was anywhere between 10-20% more fuel in winter months...that's almost 6 months here in Canada

Anyways, that's it for the introduction - hope to learn a lot from this excellent resource (you guys) and improve my gas mileage.


Last edited by Andrei_ierdnA; 01-16-2016 at 10:44 AM..
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Old 01-11-2016, 01:36 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Welcome to the site Andrei. The Fit is a great vehicle and I'm fairly confident you will be able to get it up to and above 40 mpg with a little work.

What is your normal commute like?
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Old 01-11-2016, 02:33 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Welcome! The Fit's a fun little car.

You've already got the SG, so your next move should be to block the lower grille- and watch those coolant temps! I got mine in February of 14 and didn't block the grille until spring 15. It didn't just help with aero, it helped with warmup and heat retention. I don't have to wear my hat and gloves all the way to work like I did pre-block.
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Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%

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Old 01-11-2016, 02:50 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Welcome!

The Fit is a neat car. And congrats on not swallowing the automatic transmission kool-aid! The manual is more efficient in the real world, despite the AT's better ratings. Just as it is with the Mirage MT vs. auto.

And the manual is more fun too.

I took a manual Fit (2009 model year) out for an eco-driving coaching session, and saw 41 mpg US / 5.7 L/100 km in sub/urban driving in warm weather/warm vehicle. And that was without using any advanced techniques. There's lots more where that came from.

What part of the province are you in?
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Old 01-11-2016, 09:07 PM   #5 (permalink)
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SmurFITte - '13 Honda Fit LX
90 day: 38.01 mpg (US)
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Thanks for the warm welcome

Thanks for the warm welcome guys (on a cold wintery day)

@ Daox

Normal daily commute is only about 10 miles (15 km) one-way of mix city/country roads. I've noticed my "per trip" mileage vary widely according to how many RED lights I catch. Been trying to "learn" those lights and time my arrival so that I catch the GREEN, but it ain't easy and can't annoy other drivers behind me.

The Intrepid took about half my commute to warm up in colder weather. I love how fast the Fit warms up.

Best mileage with my Fit since I got it 3 months ago was 48 MPG (4.9 L/100km), but that was for a 100% hwy trip going at legal speed 60mph (100km/hr) with an empty car and I'm pretty sure I had some back-wind. The return trip was worse, with head-wind and girlfriend aboard.



Best mileage for a tank of gas was 39.6 MPG, so I've almost reached the 40 mark, but my goal is to have 40 as an average, not all time best.

@ Fat Charlie

Thanks Charlie, I'm glad you recommend that because it was on my to-do list as a first mod, since it seems fairly easy to DIY. I was thinking of the top-grille though, since on the bottom I attached some Gutter-Guard (plastic mesh) with zip-ties to prevent rocks flying into the radiator through those large openings.
Which one is generally better for improving FE, top or bottom?
Or both?
I still need to do more research here to find the best ideas and materials.
I would be worried about engine temperatures if blocking both...
I'm not currently using my SGII, as my new car insurance convinced me to try the telematics device for 6 months to save up to 25% on next years rates. They gave 5% off just for trying.

@ MetroMPG

I fully agree with you, driving a manual is so much fun...after your learn though. My first couple of weeks were pretty terrible, a lot of stalling and stressing out like mad when having to stop on a hill with traffic behind me.
I feel heavily involved in driving, more connected with the car, and I've been paying attention and focusing more on the whole driving experience and the traffic around me since switching from auto. Auto boxes feel like somewhat of a boring video game (left, right, stop, gas).

I live in Guelph now, after being in Toronto for 8 years. So glad to have escaped the rat-race rush-hour madness. Outside of the big city it's a pleasure to drive.
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Last edited by Andrei_ierdnA; 01-12-2016 at 01:25 PM..
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Old 01-11-2016, 09:30 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Andrei- Big Brother may not like it if he spots hypermiling techniques. But hte gauges are critical to even gentle driving, so try an OBD splitter:



The upper grille is tiny, the lower one is a gaping wound that ducts air through the radiator and compresses it underneath the car. Block that one.


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Originally Posted by sheepdog44 View Post
Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%

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Old 01-11-2016, 09:54 PM   #7 (permalink)
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90 day: 38.01 mpg (US)
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Thanks a lot Fat Charlie, I've wanted to get an OBD splitter since I got that insurance telematics device. But believe it or not, I couldn't find one online because I didn't know what it's called and my online searches failed in finding one.
I just searched "OBD splitter" on Amazon and found it for $15 Canadian with free shipping. Would be even cheaper in the US I'm assuming. Will order one tonight - thanks

And with Big Brother...I'm going on the premise he's got bigger (fatter) fish to fry!!! otherwise, you might as well turn off your cell & remove battery for every drive you take

What did you use to block the lower grille of your Fit?
Have a pic after blocking the opening?
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Last edited by Andrei_ierdnA; 01-13-2016 at 07:09 PM..
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Old 01-12-2016, 10:10 AM   #8 (permalink)
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It's coroplast spray painted black, and the lower pic is with the block.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog44 View Post
Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%

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Old 01-12-2016, 10:14 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Some members block behind the grille opening to keep the OEM look. There may be a small efficiency penalty vs. an external block, but it's still way better than wide open OEM.

Also you might consider a block heater if you've got somewhere to plug in. Depending on wattage, an hour of pre-heat will make a noticeable difference in cold weather.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 01-12-2016, 10:17 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
Fat Charlie: considered extending the air dam? Using that OEM lip as a mounting surface is about as convenient as it gets!

I did that with my '07 Civic winter beater -- screwed directly into the upper part of the OEM rubber lip:



From: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...7-a-30111.html

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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