2nd Generation (GE 08-present)The New Fit... Generation specific talk and questions here.
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Id never use snow chains. My friend had one snap on him on a highway drive. I have no clue how those snap but then when he got out of the car he saw that the chains were hitting the wheel wells and fenders the whole ride. Winter tires are a safer bet.
or icy conditions, you should install snow tires or tire chains. They may be required by local laws under
certain conditions."
and
"Tire Chains
Mount tire chains on your tires when required by driving conditions or local laws. Install them only on the front tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire clearance, Honda strongly recommends using the chains listed below, made by Security Chain Company (SCC).
All models except Sport
SC1026
Sport model
SC1030
When installing cables, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and mount them as tight as you can. Make sure they are not contacting the brake lines or suspension. Drive slowly with them installed. If you hear them coming into contact with the body or chassis, stop and investigate. Remove them as soon as you begin driving on
My friend took his 2007 Civic Si to Reno and was required to install snow chains in the mountain. He bought regular snow chains from the installer on the side of the road. He drove maybe an hour and a half with the chains on. No damage to his tires and wheels. His tire size is 215-45-17's. So I don't think snow chains will cause any damage to the stock fit tires and wheels if properly installed. Also he was driving around 25 mph for the whole duration with the chains on.
Chains, like many things, are okay when properly installed and functioning; if anything goes wrong, it goes really wrong. There is a basis for the time honored expression 'getting it wrapped around the axle.'
I realize there are times they are required in the mountains out West, but I'd avoid 'em if you can.
Moon
Yep. They work reasonably well in moderate conditions. Do NOT use them on bare pavement. They wear out in just a few miles if you do. They are only intended for use in the snow and ice. But they go on and off very easily, so it is not problem to stop and remove them when you come to a bare pavement.
They are not good for extreme conditions. We have a set for my Mother's car. She rarely drives anywhere in the winter ( she is 86 and afraid to drive in slick conditions, so I take her where she needs to go), so they are just for emergency purposes. If she drove in any slick conditions at all, I'd buy her snow tires...
On the amazon page for the SC1030, there's a pretty positive review from a person that bought them for his Fit.
That review also mentions that Thule makes chains that are listed as fitting the 185/55-16 tire size, the CS10 075. They're Thule's best (most expensive) chains), but they look great. I decided to order some, and I'll post more when I get them and try putting them on.
I had a pair of SCC chains for my old Protege. They worked fine, but were nothing special. The design, with cables that go only straight across from one side to the other, makes them very loud and rough on ice or patches of dry pavement (they're fine in snow, though).
I put the Thule chains on today. They've worked very well so far, but I haven't driven that much. Portland's gotten an unprecedented 6" of snow today! OK, it's not Minnesota or anything
They're easy to put on, but it made me a little nervous--chain near new paint! Here are a couple of pictures:
I've been daily driving in winter weather for 14 years in a row now - northern NH, central PA, western NY, MI, and now southern CT . . . long hills, steep hills, mountains, dirt roads, unplowed roads, etc. 7 of those winters have been on a lowered Prelude - and with a decent set of snow tires, I've never gotten in an accident, never gotten stuck, and certainly never felt a need for chains or cables. :shrug:
The only purpose I can see behind chains might be for someone who drives up a snow-covered mountain road on a ski trip once or twice a year.
Oh - just bought an '07 Fit on Wednesday, and the OEM tires are . . . adequate, but only just. Tirerack will be delivering a set of 14" rims & winter tires on Monday.
I was considering buying a set of wheels and snow tires, but the problem is that I live in a place that, some winters, gets no snow at all. For ~$800, it just doesn't seem worth it for the rare occasions that I have to drive on snow (like going up to Mt. Hood to snowboard if the roads aren't cleared).
The storm we're having in Portland right now has dropped as much as a foot, along with some freezing rain, and I would be completely out of luck getting around (if I have to) without chains. However, this happens about once every 5 years.
I put the Thule chains on today. They've worked very well so far, but I haven't driven that much. Portland's gotten an unprecedented 6" of snow today! OK, it's not Minnesota or anything
They're easy to put on, but it made me a little nervous--chain near new paint! Here are a couple of pictures:
I can't imagine any conditions that I'd need something like that for... We've gotten about 2' of snow since Friday and I've been having a blast in my new '09 Fit (with snow tires)
Id never use snow chains. My friend had one snap on him on a highway drive. I have no clue how those snap but then when he got out of the car he saw that the chains were hitting the wheel wells and fenders the whole ride. Winter tires are a safer bet.
Highway? I thought the max speed on those things are 30 mph.....
Highway? I thought the max speed on those things are 30 mph.....
In theory...actually, once they're on, it may be another issue.
I remember a ride in a '56 Ford with a chain end loose; made an awful clank every turn of the wheel.
Moon
Today I finally got a chance to try out the snow chain that I bought. It's from Diamond Back.
Some thoughts: awesome traction if you live in a place where there's constantly snow on the street, can never see bare pavement, and all cars go under 30mph. With regular tires, I've never had the abilty to go uphill in 2 inches snow at such speed. (Usually I need to approach the hill very fast in order to get momentum) If your municipality do clear the street however, then it's a hazel to take them off when you come to bare pavement and then put them on again when needed.
So it seems to be useful if you have fresh snow of at least half an inch, or when it has been snowing for like 3 days straight and your city couldn't clear the snow quick enough.
When taking them off though, it did freak me out, because if you are not careful, it does seem to get wrapped around the axle (for this particular brand, I guess).
Snow Chains?
Linear Mode
