Now that I'm scraping frost off the windshield of my 08 sport almost every morning it's probably time to consider purchasing winter tires. The car is currently rolling 195/55/15 rubber. After checking things out, it seems like dropping to 14in steel rims is a cost-effective option for winter with 175/65/14 being the set up of choice.
However,it seems 175/70/14s are cheaper than 175/65/14s for the brand I'm considering. These tires seem to size up well and have a similar circumference to the 195s.

Does anybody have experience with 175/70/14s on a GD fit? Does this seem like an appropriate choice for winter tires? What other sizes would work?

Any insight appreciated.

 

My hubby bought Blizzak's online last year and I could drive up a steep hill covered in ice with them and not slide.

 

Boy, I am in the same situation as you! I have an '08 Fit sport and I would welcome any thoughts or know how to get a tried and true 14" wheel and tire option for winter driving. I have heard of some civic rims that will work. I am on a really tight budget but the combo I seek is a 175/70 14

 

The 175/70/14 tire is 23.7", the 175/65/14 is 23". Stock tires are 23.4" so your contemplated size will work, though your odometer/speedometer will be off slightly. The more critical dimension with winter tires is that they are narrower than your summer tires so the tire cuts through snow better. Be aware that getting a separate set of winter wheels will resign you to driving with your TPMS warning light on all winter unless you buy another set of sensors and get them programmed to the car.

I am also running Blizzak WS-60 in 175/65/14 and they were great

 

Thanks kbh
So can you tell me what wheels you are using and what year your Fit is?? I get confused, I have the belief that the wheels changed on the 2009 & up Fit's. I have the 2008 Fit Sport 5 speed. It sure would be nice to be able to recycle some wheels out of a salvage yard for this.
With regards to the TPMS I could care less (this is why pressure gauges were invented) and any speedo/odo error is a minor concern as I doubt the real fuel mileage will change.

Years back I had a a VW Dasher with some tall skinny bias ply snow tires, it looked like a 4WD off road machine, it really changed up the final ratio. If I must I will get some new steel 14" wheels for a stock Fit, I'd just rather not. It is this crazy off set that's got my head spinning.

 

When we purchased our Fit (an '07 without TPMS) the Tire Rack wheel & tire packages were a great deal. They even came with hubcaps for the "steelies".

Spent less than $500 IIRC

 

I have a 2008 Fit Sport. I also bought a steel wheel/winter tire package from TR. You can call around to local Honda dealers to see if they have any "take-off" steel wheels - folks who bought a base Fit and upgraded the wheels. Sometimes, they'll let those go cheap just to get rid of them.

Overall though, once you factor in mounting/balancing costs, the TR deals are pretty good. If I had to do it over again, I'd buy my winters mounted on inexpensive alloy wheels. I've lost/damaged two sets of wheel covers in the three winters I've run my snow tires and they are about $40 a set to replace. I'm pretty frugal but even I can't stand the look of bare steelies and I just keep springing for new covers.

 

We've lost some wheel covers also. (No wonder, my daughter has bent the actual wheels running through potholes!)

WallyWorld (Wal-Mart) has the sets of wheel covers for $17, a far cry from $40. I think it's the thick paint and smooth surface of the wheels that allows the covers to fly off.

When I get down to the last replacement one, I might just wire the suckers on.

 

Thanks for the responses!
I've taken the plunge and ordered a set of 175/70/14 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R. They are $15 cheaper per tire than the 175/65/14s. The tires will arrive later this week.

There were no decently priced wheels in the local second hand market. The best price I found for new steelies was $49 each, so I picked up a set (Costco's price is $38 but they're sold out). I'm too cheap to buy wheel covers, but I have some old acura ones from a long gone integra that might fit.

 

When I bought the car I got a set of very attractive 15" wheels from Tire Rack on closeout for like 40 bucks apiece, and had Pirelli Winter Carving studded tires mounted in OEM size (195-55-15). They were great. I like driving an attractive looking car all winter long. For Winter #5 I wanted to try Nokian Hakkapellitta 7 studded tires, but could only get them locally in 195-60-15. I figured the extra height with same width would only be better for winter. In fact, the car feels PLANTED and the Hakka 7's are the best winter tires I have ever driven on, including several sets of Blizzaks. The larger diameter tires do not rub anywhere and fill out the wheel wells slightly more, which makes the car look less geeky and more muscular. My speedo reads 60 and I'm going 61-62, but it's no real inconvenience. I'm even thinking my next set of summer tires may be 60's. The car is already low and with Progress antisway bar and KYB's on the rear I'm quite content with the handling.
But to each their own...

 

YWGjets, just a reminder for you. Since you are running a bigger tire compared with the original one, be careful by controlling your speed. Coz let say your speed meter saying you are running 60. you may be running 62-63 instead because you are running a bigger diameter of the tire.