"Real REAL World Gas Mileage" Edmunds Daily

Real REAL World Gas Mileage

When we test drive cars at Edmunds.com we don't have to pay for the cars or the gas. Yes, we track fuel mileage but it doesn't hit us square in the wallet like it does to the rest of the driving public. It's a little like being a movie critic who doesn't pay for tickets -- if the flick stinks all you lose is your time.

Now that I'm the proud owner of a 2007 Honda Fit, I've begun to track my mileage...

It's like watching your stocks go up and down. You have a good day in the market you feel great. If you lose you are disgruntled. I got about 25 mpg my first tank but I'd only driven 50 miles. The second fillup (another 120 miles) I got 32 mpg and felt better. Then, I got an email from our Forum queen reminding me to visit the Fit forum. Guess what they were talking about?

Mileage. Tank to tank. Life time average. Length of breakin period. Driving styles. It was great stuff. I was riveted. "Listen to this!" I kept yelling to my wife. And, "Wow, I didn't know that!" Suddenly, the difference between one Fit driver getting 32 mpg and another getting 35.6 seemed to be the more fascinating than "The Da Vinci Code."

If you haven't done so yet, check out our Forums for the car you drive. Chance are, you'll make a lot of new friends.