First off, I live in Northeastern Canada so I'm looking for maximum traction in snow/slush/on ice. I've already decided to get a set of dedicated wheels and winter tires. The stock tire size on the Sport is 185/55/R16. I'd like to downsize to 15" steel wheels and winter tires (Nokian Hakkapeliitta R - already decided).

What I need to know from the wheel/tire gurus on this site is the exact size of wheels and tires I need. The tire shop I will be getting these at said 185/60/R15 on the tires but wouldn't that mean a taller sidewall? For winter use, what is recommended? Also, what do I need to know to get 15" steel wheels that will fit properly with these tires?

From Nokian website for available tire sizes in 15":
185/65R15 92R XL
185/60R15 88R XL
185/55R15 86R XL
195/65R15 95R XL

195/60R15 92R XL
195/55R15 89R XL
205/70R15 100R XL
205/65R15 99R XL

Apparently it is recommended that winter tires be narrower for better traction. I can't do anything with my tire width (185) since 175 is not available...going any larger is not adviseable for winter use. So that leaves me with:
185/65R15 92R XL
185/60R15 88R XL
185/55R15 86R XL

The second number has to do with "sidewall aspect ratio/tire profile" which I believe should be bigger than the stock tire, again for winter use. So now this leaves me with:
185/65R15 92R XL
185/60R15 88R XL

Which would be recommended? Also, any idea what the XL means? I know the numbers before are the speed rating but I can't find a description for XL.

My primary concern is with sizing on the wheels...

 

Rule of thumb is usually 1 size smaller, and yes you want the tires/wheels to be skinner to be able to cut through the snow.

 

Ok so should I get the 185/60R15 or the 185/65/R15? Would there be a practical difference between the two?

...never mind. A friend just sent me this link: Wild Weasel's Automotive HowTo Pages

Shows that with the 60 sidewall by speedometer would run 1.1% fast vs. 1.9% slow with the 65 sidewall. So, less of an impact with the 185/60/R15 sizing. Ok, onto the wheel sizing now!

 

Before you firmly decide on the brand of tire try consulting Tirerack's testing of all weather and winter tires.

Of the latter 2 the 185/60x15 tires are 23.74" in diameter compared to stock 24". The 185/65x15 tires are 24.5" in diameter, which would be better except they might not fit in your Sport's fenderwell. Only might. However. if you might use chains the 185/60x15's leave more room for them.
So I recommend the 185/60x15's. I've used Nokians so you need to check the exact tire dimensions on their website to verify.
Now to the matter of wheels. You need the Fit base wheels or an aftermarket 15x6 wheel with at least 50 mm offset that also IS KNOWN TO CLEAR YOUR CALIPERS AND FIT THE LUGBOLTS AND THE HUB BORE.

And actually. going slightly larger on the diameter and slightly narrower in tread width are better for traction and for rolling thru snow and for not overdoing the thrust of the tire against the snow. Reducing the torque is advantageous in holding traction. Spinning tires are next to worthless.

Michelin naturally has a highly rated tire in 175/65x15, same diameter as stock tires.

 

Ok I'm going to show how little I know about cars...say what???? All I know is that I need 15" steel wheels with a 4 bolt pattern. I did know that offset was a consideration (but didn't know what is was for the Sport, going to a smaller wheel).

What exactly do I need to tell the tire shop to ensure that they order me 15" steel wheels that will fit properly on my Sport, with the 185/60R15 Nokian tires?

 

Out of the two of those, 185/60-15 would be closer to the diameter of the OE size.

I don't know how much winter tires actually help, but I personally think the base model (DX) steel wheel and tire combo would be perfect for winter (175/65-15).

 

Yeah, I have the winter tire sizing all sorted out. Seems that bringing my Fit Sport to the tire shop and having them figure out what I need in the 15" steel wheel would be the way to go! Dang...I forgot that our DX in Canada gets 15" steel wheels. Of course Honda would sell them to me for considerably more than the $50/wheel that the tire shop quoted me.

 

That's exactly what you tell them.

 

order from tirerack.com - - they will come mounted and balanced to your door step - -

Man, am I glad I don't have to worry about winters anymore (ohio to florida 10 years ago - - aaahhhhhh)

 

Traded snow for hurricanes and forest fires, did we.There's no free lunch.

 

Great! Thanks for your input.

One more thing....is 53mm the offset on the stock wheels for the Sport? There should be no issues with using the DX standard steel wheels on a Sport, right? Does anyone have pictures of these wheels? (never mind - have these now)

 

Ok. Called my tire shop and reported the 4x100 bolt pattern and 53 mm offset on the stock wheels. That and my order for the 185/60 R15 winter tires let them know exactly which wheels I need for this winter set. Cost is $60/15" steel wheel and they're due in October 1....

 

Good show.
Keep a close eye on the tire dealer, he surely will get wheels that fit over your calipers and hub but not every tire dealer is that careful. At $60 per wheel he's probably getting them from Honda and there you should be safe. He did know it was 09, right?
good luck.

 

Oh yes. Told him 2009 Honda Fit Sport which comes with standard 16" wheels, 185/55 R16 tires, offset 53 mm, 4x100 bolt pattern. Since I wanted Nokian Hakka R tires, I'm stuck with the 185/60 R15 tire sizing. He took it from there to figure out what 15" steel wheels I need. I just said I wanted basic wheels to run through our Canadian winters. My tire shop is Kal Tire which is Canada's largest tire retail store...think there are 200 outlets across the country so I'm assuming they know what they're doing!

 

My brother went in to Kal Tire to pay the bill for my winter set (15" steel wheels and Nokian Hakka R 185/60R15 tires) and I have the receipt here. For the wheels they wrote "Civic 15x6 4on100". They did assure my brother that if these don't fit, they will "take care of it" (i.e. order me in the proper wheels). Does anyone here know for sure that those wheels DO fit on a 2009 Honda Fit Sport? These don't come in until October 1st so I'm curious (and a tad concerned)...

 

Late to the party, but 185/60 was the right choice. XL = eXtra Load (or RF = reinforced) not to be confused with Run Flat

Basically, with XL, the tire construction is stronger and able to carry higher loads. It is very important to consider how the load rating is stated. A standard load tire is rated at 35 psi. An extra load/reinforced tire is 41 psi. Note this is not the maximum psi, but rather the pressure at which the maximum load is rated.

Load rating is important to consider because if you vary from the stock load rating too much, you will have to change your tire pressures (possibly significantly) in order to keep the correct tire contact patch (shape) and even tire wear. This can be a tedious exercise to find the right tire pressure.

The stock 16" tire load rating is 1074 lbs (or "83") at standard load. A 185/60R15 is usually 1102 lbs (or "84") at standard load. This is typically the same load rating of the stock sized 175/65R15. A 185/65R16 you listed is commonly 1168 lbs ("86") or 1235 lbs ("86") at standard load (keeping apples-to-apples comparison). The problem with "86" or "88" standard load-rated tires is that they are designed for a proportionally heavier car. Because your car is lighter, the tires will be over-inflated at 33 psi. (Note that the stock 15" tire pressure which is not on your door jamb is 32 psi.) So, the tire pressures needed for a 1235 lb-rated tire might be around 87% of stock, although I have personally found the relationship not linear and varies a lot from brand/tire construction.

Whew! Still with me? Running lower tire pressures is not a bad thing in your scenario, however. F=p*A, right? So a lower pressure actually gives you a larger contact patch which should give you better winter traction. So, a 185/65R16 would not be the end of the world, except that you might have to experiment a bit to find the right pressures to get good traction/even wear which might be too much hassle for you to bother with.

I also believe you lucky Canadians don't have that stupid TPMS that USA does. For those in the USA, running the lower tire pressures IS a problem because you may trigger the TPMS.

Final note: Either diameter would be OK. A lot of people worry too much about the tire diameter being exactly stock. Consider this, though. A new tire has typically 10/32" tread depth. At the wear bars, a tire has 2/32". This is 8/32" = 1/4" in RADIUS. In tire DIAMETER, this is 1/2". In other words, your tires wear down 1/2" in diameter through normal usage.

 

Nope, you lost me. I'm getting the 185/60R15 88R XL Nokian Hakkaleppita (sp???) R winter tires on "Civic 15x6 4on100" steel rims. From comments here, I made the right choice on the tire sizing. My concern is with the wheels though the tire shop did assure my brother that if they DON'T fit, they'll order me in ones that will (no cost, obviously)...

 

Offset on 09 is 53 mm; offset on 08 is 55 mm. The problem you may have is whether the wheels fit over your brake calipers.
There is only one way to find out for sure. Jack the front end up and replace one of your stock fronts with the Civic wheel. Very quickly you will find out if the wheel fits Offset is stamped inside the back web of your steel wheels but offset hs little to do with whether therwheel fits over the brake caliper.
If they don't clear check us again with the size and backspace of the wheel you bought and we'll see if spacers will allow clearance. Backspace is the distance from the hub to the inside tire bead, or you can measure the distnce fom the hub to a ruler across the wheel rim at the car side. not across the tire sidewall.

 

Yes, I figured out the offset after that post (now corrected). I did tell the tire shop "wheels for 2009 Honda Fit Sport, 53 mm offset, 4x100 bolt pattern) and they're the ones who recommended the Civic wheels. I'll let them do the jacking and such (not my cup of tea) to verify that these fit properly. I was assured that they'll order in new wheels if those aren't appropriate. I pick up my set next week so we'll see....

 

If they already have the wheels they can be tried without tires mounted. if they don't fit, saves mounting cost.
PS we all are awaiting your result so we;'ll know what we can do. cheers, and good luck.