New to Fit - Mpg indicator ??

[fmoore]

I got a $4500 cash to clunker trade in on my gas guzzlin 93 Roadmaster Wagon a couple of weeks ago. Very pleased with the size and particularly the fuel efficiency as compared to the 8 cyl wagon.

Upon refilling at 276 miles, the Fit took 9.1 gallons. This calculates to 30.3 mpg. Not bad for combined highway/town driving, but not quite up to the 31 mpg advertised. I'm only at about 530 miles total on the car so it may get a little better after breaking in.

More intriguing is the discrepancy between the 30.3 real mpg and the 32.7 shown by the Fit's avg mpg indicator, which represents a deviation of about 8%, which is fairly significant.

Have others noted a similar discrepancy? How does the onboard avg mpg indicator work? Maybe 8% is within it's designed accuracy.


Btw, it looks like the low fuel light comes on at about 1.5 gal left.

[manxman]

I got a $4500 cash to clunker trade in on my gas guzzlin 93 Roadmaster Wagon a couple of weeks ago. Very pleased with the size and particularly the fuel efficiency as compared to the 8 cyl wagon.

Upon refilling at 276 miles, the Fit took 9.1 gallons. This calculates to 30.3 mpg. Not bad for combined highway/town driving, but not quite up to the 31 mpg advertised. I'm only at about 530 miles total on the car so it may get a little better after breaking in.

More intriguing is the discrepancy between the 30.3 real mpg and the 32.7 shown by the Fit's avg mpg indicator, which represents a deviation of about 8%, which is fairly significant.

Have others noted a similar discrepancy? How does the onboard avg mpg indicator work? Maybe 8% is within it's designed accuracy.


Btw, it looks like the low fuel light comes on at about 1.5 gal left.
Congrats on the new Fit. Your fuel efficiency will improve over time as the engine breaks in- your best mileage will come into play after you hit at least 10K. The inaccurate MPG indicator on the dash is a known issue. If you want the most accurate metering of gas mileage and many other engine issue reports (temperature in degrees instead of idiot lights, etc.), and the ability to get actual reports (code definitions) when the "check engine" light comes on, and then be able to clear the codes, you might want to invest the small cost of a "Scan Gauge II". Check Amazon.com for prices and a complete description of the Scan Gauge.

[fmoore]

Thanks, Manxman. I'll be watching for improved real mpg.

Is the dash avg mpg calculator a "known issue" with Honda or industry wide?

Will the gap between real and dash mpg close with time?

I'm unfamiliar with that feature. How is gas usage measured?


Eventually I wont pay much if any attention to it, but for now its an interesting feature. If it's fairly accurate, it can certainly be a good indicator of how well the engine is running and how well we are doing on conserving energy. Inaccuracy leads only to suspicions of gimmickry.


Oil change: When I reach the point where my Fit needs an oil change (usually around 5000 miles) and change the oil and filter myself, will a warning light stay on forever after telling me I need an oil change? Do I have to spend $150 for a device to turn it off? I hope not.

[manxman]

Thanks, Manxman. I'll be watching for improved real mpg.

Is the dash avg mpg calculator a "known issue" with Honda or industry wide?

Will the gap between real and dash mpg close with time?

I'm unfamiliar with that feature. How is gas usage measured?


Eventually I wont pay much if any attention to it, but for now its an interesting feature. If it's fairly accurate, it can certainly be a good indicator of how well the engine is running and how well we are doing on conserving energy. Inaccuracy leads only to suspicions of gimmickry.


Oil change: When I reach the point where my Fit needs an oil change (usually around 5000 miles) and change the oil and filter myself, will a warning light stay on forever after telling me I need an oil change? Do I have to spend $150 for a device to turn it off? I hope not.
Your owner's manual has instructions for how to reset the "oil life" back to zero after you change your oil (at least I think that it does. If I am wrong about that, just post on these forums or PM me- I have the Honda Fit Service Manual).

The MPG meter won't get any more accurate, or any worse. Its main value is the gauge that shows how your driving technique is affecting gas mileage, but I have gotten to the point of not paying much attention to that. As you coast down a hill, it tells you that your gas mileage is GREAT, and as you chug up the other side of the hill, it tells you that your mileage sucks. Duh!

Free advice- use synthetic oil when your change comes due. My brand is Amsoil- the first synthetic oil made for cars back in the late '60s. IMO, it is still the best. You will see a small improvement in mpg. just from the synthetic oil vs. refined crude.

Oh, almost forgot- the inaccuracy of the mpg meter is a known issue with the Honda Fit. I can only assume that this is the same with all import cars that have this meter, but can't say that is a fact. The Scan Gauge is more accurate because you punch in the gallons that you add in each fill-up. You obviously don't have the ability to tell the Fit meter that information.

[claymore]

Scan gauges are being used for many projects on other sites. It really is the most accurate type of product if you like to keep close watch on your fuel mileage wish I had one.

[fmoore]

Still unclear how fuel usage is measured. Is there a flow meter in the gas line?

"The Scan Gauge is more accurate because you punch in the gallons that you add in each fill-up." What if you don't fill it up? The amount of gas in the tank shouldn't matter.

[EXWRX]

The scanguage or any mileage meter measures the amount of time your injectors are open and based on the fuel line pressure is able to estimate the amount of fuel dispensed with each opening of the injectors. The Scanguage gets more accurate as it goes along by adjusting its estimated usage with the real usage that you enter when you fill it up. So after a tank or 2 of gas, the scanguage should be pretty well dialed in barring a fuel pump/fuel pressure regulator/injector problem.