How to make a Honda Fit more fuel-efficient?
Adopt smooth, predictable driving, maintain the vehicle well, and minimize added weight and drag to improve fuel economy in a Honda Fit.
The Honda Fit is prized for its compact size and efficiency, but fuel economy can still be boosted with practical steps. This article outlines actionable strategies across driving habits, routine maintenance, and how you carry gear to help you get the most miles per gallon from your Fit.
Smart driving habits
On-the-road efficiency starts with how you drive. The following practices help reduce fuel use during daily commutes and longer road trips.
- Drive smoothly: accelerate gradually, anticipate traffic, and avoid hard braking to minimize fuel burn.
- Use cruise control on highways to maintain a steady speed and lower RPMs when appropriate.
- Plan trips to combine errands and reduce idling time; a warm engine runs more efficiently than a cold one.
- Operate the vehicle in its eco-friendly range: enable ECON/ECON mode if your trim supports it to reduce throttle response and climate-control load.
- Avoid peak-speed driving when possible; moderate speeds typically yield better mpg in a small car like the Fit.
- Use the climate control judiciously: recirculated air and conservative A/C use help, especially at highway speeds.
In practice, steady driving and mindful throttle use can translate into meaningful mileage gains over the course of a busy month.
Highway driving tips
Longer highway trips pose different efficiency challenges than city driving. Focused habits here help sustain mpg over distance.
- Maintain a steady speed with cruise control on appropriate stretches of highway.
- Keep aero drag low: close windows, remove roof racks or cargo boxes when not in use.
- Stay within a moderate speed range; excessive speeds increase aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption.
- Plan routes to avoid unnecessary detours and slowdowns, which force more throttle and idling.
Applied consistently, these highway-specific practices can prevent your mpg from slipping on longer runs.
Maintenance and mechanical care
Keeping the engine and drivetrain in good shape prevents efficiency losses from wear, blockages, or improper tuning.
- Keep tires inflated to Honda’s recommended tire pressure (check the door jamb placard); underinflation raises rolling resistance and lowers mpg.
- Rotate tires and ensure proper alignment to maximize fuel efficiency and tire life.
- Change the engine oil at the manufacturer’s intervals; consider synthetic oil if recommended for better lubrication and temperature performance.
- Replace the engine air filter as scheduled; a clogged filter reduces airflow and efficiency.
- Replace spark plugs per the maintenance schedule; misfires can waste fuel.
- If a fault is detected, have sensors like the oxygen sensor or mass airflow sensor checked promptly—faulty sensors can degrade mpg.
- Periodic fuel-system cleaning or injector cleaner approved for your vehicle can help maintain efficient combustion, when appropriate.
Regular, timely maintenance keeps the Fit operating as designed, preserving its efficiency over time.
Load management and aerodynamics
Weight and drag are tangible culprits behind lower fuel economy. Simple changes can contribute to real-world gains.
- Remove roof racks, bike carriers, and other aero-drag items when not needed.
- Lighten the load by clearing unnecessary cargo from the trunk and cabin.
- Keep windows closed at highway speeds; if you need cooling, use the A/C sparingly or in economy mode rather than leaving windows open at speed.
- Consider low-rolling-resistance tires that match the Fit’s original specifications and load rating.
Reducing weight and drag helps the engine work less hard, especially on longer drives, improving overall efficiency.
Model features and fuel‑economy settings
Many Honda Fits include features designed to maximize efficiency. How you use them can influence your real-world mpg, though results vary by model year and trim.
- Enable ECON/ECON mode if your Fit has it to soften throttle response and curb climate-control load for better efficiency.
- Use climate control features wisely; at highway speeds, keeping the A/C on recirculated mode and balanced with comfort can help maintain efficiency.
- Remember that higher octane fuel does not automatically improve efficiency in most Fit engines; use the grade recommended by Honda in your market.
ECON-related settings and proper fuel choice, aligned with your specific model year, can offer small but real improvements when combined with good driving and maintenance.
Summary
Boosting fuel economy in a Honda Fit comes down to a mix of disciplined driving, proactive maintenance, and mindful loading. By driving smoothly, planning trips, maintaining tires and engine components, and reducing drag and payload, you can extract more miles from each tank. The Honda Fit remains a practical, efficient compact, and applying these practices can yield noticeable, real-world savings. If you drive a Fit from a later generation or in markets where the model continues, these steps remain broadly applicable.
What Honda gets 70 miles per gallon?
One of the most fuel-efficient cars ever sold in America is the first-generation Honda Insight. When it launched in December 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency slapped it with an incredible 70 mpg highway rating.
Do Honda Fits get good gas mileage?
Yes, the Honda Fit is considered fuel-efficient, with EPA-estimated ratings reaching up to 33 mpg city / 40 mpg highway for the LX model with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Other configurations and years have similar strong fuel economy, with the manual transmission versions getting around 29 mpg city / 36 mpg highway. The car's efficiency is further enhanced by its standard Eco Assist™ system.
Fuel economy breakdown
- CVT Transmission: The most fuel-efficient models are typically equipped with a CVT, with ratings like 33 mpg city / 40 mpg highway for the 2020 LX trim.
- Manual Transmission: Models with a 6-speed manual transmission generally have slightly lower ratings, around 29 mpg city / 36 mpg highway.
- Other trims (CVT): The Sport, EX, and EX-L trims with a CVT transmission have a combined rating of about 31 mpg city / 36 mpg highway.
- Real-world performance: While official EPA ratings are high, real-world mileage can vary. Some owners report averages around 33.5 mpg, and others have achieved even higher mileage on long, highway-focused trips.
Factors that affect fuel economy
- Transmission: As noted, the CVT is generally more fuel-efficient than the manual transmission.
- Driving habits: Your driving style significantly impacts mileage. The Fit's standard Eco Assist system helps monitor and optimize your fuel use.
- Vehicle condition: A poorly maintained vehicle, such as one with a malfunctioning fuel pump, can lead to a decrease in fuel efficiency.
Why is my Honda Fit losing gas mileage?
The fuel pump can become clogged or malfunction. A bad fuel pump can lead to a rough running engine because it is not getting enough fuel. This will lead to a decline in gas mileage. If this issue is not addressed it will lead to a rough, idle, sputtering and stalling.
How do I reduce the fuel consumption in my Honda Fit?
Our Fuel Saving Tips
- SLOW DOWN.
- TYRE WEAR CHECK.
- WEIGHTS.
- CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURE.
- ACCELERATE WITH CARE.
- MOVE SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC.
- TURN OFF AIR-CON AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
- KEEP FACTORY FIT TYRES AND ALLOYS FITTED TO YOUR HONDA.
