3500+ RPM cruise bad for the fit? (highway driving)
#21
I drive at 120-130km/h or if you live in the United States (75-80MPH) for about an hour everyday, and about 2 hours each weekend. I live in North Carolina, and this is like normal driving speeds.
Is this bad for the car? that RPM seems kinda high to cruise for long periods of time... but i been doing this for almost a year now, racked about 14k miles and the car is about 10~ months old
Is it possible to get gears for the honda fit to make the RPM's not so high during highway speeds? would it improve gas at all if the RPM's were lower? i still get about 38-42 MPG when i do these hour, or 2 hour trips on the highway, but i don't understand how with the RPM at 3500+ all the time.
what your guys average RPM on the highway? I drive a manual transmission, i think this is apart of the problem.
Is this bad for the car? that RPM seems kinda high to cruise for long periods of time... but i been doing this for almost a year now, racked about 14k miles and the car is about 10~ months old
Is it possible to get gears for the honda fit to make the RPM's not so high during highway speeds? would it improve gas at all if the RPM's were lower? i still get about 38-42 MPG when i do these hour, or 2 hour trips on the highway, but i don't understand how with the RPM at 3500+ all the time.
what your guys average RPM on the highway? I drive a manual transmission, i think this is apart of the problem.
I am getting use to the high revs as well. Seeing 6,000 is scary still. My old Austin Healey Bugeye was redlined at 4500 and cruise was 55mph at around 3500.
#23
The road noise drove me crazy when my car was stock, the wind noise isn't all that bad but adding music to the two plus after market exhaust is too much at highway speed... I prefer hearing the droning sound of the loud exhaust over all other sounds.... My Goldwing has a better sound system and is quieter than a stock Fit but the Fit is cheaper to operate and more fun as well.
#24
For comparison, consider my 2002 Honda S2000. Granted, the engine is built to tolerate a 9000 rpm redline. Cruising in 6th gear at 60 mph, the engine runs 3300 rpm. That would equate to roughly 4400 rpm at 80 mph. Noisy? Somewhat. However, the engine can handle the rpm's without undue wear - and so can the Fit's engine. Higher rpm capability is very typical of Honda, perhaps indicative of their motorcycle heritage.
#25
The road noise drove me crazy when my car was stock, the wind noise isn't all that bad but adding music to the two plus after market exhaust is too much at highway speed... I prefer hearing the droning sound of the loud exhaust over all other sounds.... My Goldwing has a better sound system and is quieter than a stock Fit but the Fit is cheaper to operate and more fun as well.
#26
For comparison, consider my 2002 Honda S2000. Granted, the engine is built to tolerate a 9000 rpm redline. Cruising in 6th gear at 60 mph, the engine runs 3300 rpm. That would equate to roughly 4400 rpm at 80 mph. Noisy? Somewhat. However, the engine can handle the rpm's without undue wear - and so can the Fit's engine. Higher rpm capability is very typical of Honda, perhaps indicative of their motorcycle heritage.
#27
For the record, the ratios in top gear for the Fit are somewhat different automatic transmission vs. manual. The automatic runs about 2100 rpm at 60 mph, while the manual is shorter geared and runs about 2800. For this reason, the automatic version is a bit more suitable for high speed cruising, although I would agree that the manual is more fun, and gives better control and stronger overall acceleration.
#29
Probably would be worse. The torque converter will not remain locked if you give the accelerator pedal any push. Unlocked torque converter translates into additional losses as the fluid is churned and generates heat. I have observed that when you are in fifth, even fairly subtle accelerator pedal adjustments cause the rpm's to surge by a few hundred rpm.
#30
.
For the record, the ratios in top gear for the Fit are somewhat different automatic transmission vs. manual. The automatic runs about 2100 rpm at 60 mph, while the manual is shorter geared and runs about 2800. For this reason, the automatic version is a bit more suitable for high speed cruising, although I would agree that the manual is more fun, and gives better control and stronger overall acceleration.
For the record, the ratios in top gear for the Fit are somewhat different automatic transmission vs. manual. The automatic runs about 2100 rpm at 60 mph, while the manual is shorter geared and runs about 2800. For this reason, the automatic version is a bit more suitable for high speed cruising, although I would agree that the manual is more fun, and gives better control and stronger overall acceleration.
#32
I think Honda had two choices. Force the majority of manual trans drivers to shift more often from 5th to 4th, or lower the gear ratio and increase the RPM's.
If you look at the CR-Z 6MT, 6th gear isn't even as high as 5th in the 5AT FIT but it is better than the 5MT FIT. I'm thinking that's because the extra torque from the Electric Motor allows the car to handle hills better at 60+mph.
Granted 5MT drivers do expect to have to shift but for those that travel hilly highways (such as RT 88 in New York), regular shifting is not some thing to be expected.
It's a trade-off and I think Honda made the right move even though I'm not a fan of the noise at 60+ in my 5MT. Still wouldn't trade it (unless all I drove was highway - then I'd be wanting a CVT or in our case, the 5AT).
~SB
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