As the title says... Can you use the paddle shifters to get into neutral or not?
I shift into neutral for sections of road that are long and slightly downward sloping for better mpg and it would be nice to be able to use the paddles for it.
(obviously I don't own a fit yet, but I am in the market for one)

 

Short answer: No.

Long answer: The Fit Sport with paddle shifters can not shift itself into neutral because it is an automatic. Only vehicles with a S.M.G (Semi-Manual Gearbox) can be shifted into neutral via paddles.

 

Thanks. (10 char)

 

get the manual transmisson, you'll enjoy your Fit more. the Fit has a tiny engine, you're gonna want the MT to get the most out of the car.

 

this man says this to all the AT questions

 

well actually I DO want a manual, but the wife is pretty adamant about an automatic, she drives a manual now, and is doesn't want another one, especially because if we have kids, this will become her car, since her's in only a 2 seater.

 

Tell her this manual practically drives itself

 

except when you have to shift LOL

 

unless you're on the freeway cruising at 75 mph.
manual = 3500 rpm
auto = 2600 rpm

and unless you're sitting in a lot of traffic.

auto or manual, each has their advantages. but in the end most people go with the auto.

 

Are the autos much slower than the sticks? I just don't like the idea of buying a 117hp car with an auto trans. Does it struggle up hills more than the stick? I don't mind downshifting with the paddles, but if it is much slower, I might have to push the manual trans. option a little more.

 

both are slow but the stick is def. faster..

and dont say im biased.. i drive an '08 AT lol

 

my 08 MT is quite a bit faster off the line than my 09 AT, but on average they are about the same acceleration wise. but the MT is hells more fun to drive, that's for sure.... if driving is your thing. my wife hates driving and can't understand the concept of 'fun while driving a car.'

 

I read that before. Do you know why the manual revs higher at the same speed? They are both 5 speeds, correct? Is it some additional overdrive type setting that keeps the auto reving lower?

 

Its all due to the gear ratios. The USDM M/T Fit has a 4.29 final drive gear whereas the USDM A/T has a final drive of 4.56; and then all the drive gears (1st-5th) are all different ratios.

 

I've got an AT and hate it...just like all autos, they shift at the wrong time. When I saw the paddle shifter, I thought cool...but when driving, you only have partial control. It shift on its own into 1st when you come to a stop and shifts on its own into 2nd...

I bought it that way because that was the ONLY Fit available at the time.

 

The A/T sports don't up shift into 2nd automatically in "M" mode, it only up shifts when you pull the + paddle. Are you sure that you aren't pulling the up shift paddle while driving off in "S"? I'm guilty of it, the Fit's gearbox will go straight into 2nd when you do and sometimes 3rd if your going slow enough.

 

If you're in S, using the paddles, the car will downshift to first automatically at a complete stop, and my go from 5th to like 3rd at around 15-20 mph if you braking and not pulling the paddles yourself.

It will not however, shift up for you ever.

So, are you in S when the car shifts into second on its own? If so, go to Honda, tell them your car isn't functioning properly.

 

I was looking at Fit Sport AT's today here in Canada and the paddle shifters are gone. I actually thought it was odd so I looked in 3 different Sport AT's and no paddle shifters. Has Honda had reliability issues with the AT Sport model?

 

Paddle shifters aren't offered in Canada for some reason

 

They were available on earlier '09 models.