I'll say it again, change to 205/50-15's to fix this problem. Downside is you'll lose about 1 mpg, and depending on the tire, you may get more noise (I didn't). Upside is the "freeway wander" problem is gone, the car sticks better on cornering, and though I didn't do an A/B test, it's likely that the extra rubber helps improve the Fit's average braking performance. You also get a much wider choice of rubber. No rubbing at all using the stock Sport wheels with the +50 offset, and stock suspension.

 

^^I'm not sure if I agree with you. 205/45/16 would be better then 205/50/15. Less sidewall=Less potential for wandering. Plus you don't have to get new rims!

 

I didn't need new rims for the 205/50-15's, the stock Sport alloy width of 6.0" is fine, that size is spec'ed down to 5.5" width.

The stiffer sidewall of a 205/45 would be an improvement, at the cost of ride quality, something the Fit is short on to start with. The problem with 205/45's is speedo error, the diameter is 19 mm smaller than stock. When compared to the 205/50's, their diameter is only 1.5 mm larger than stock.

 

You all must drive too fast.... Mine tracks like a slot car with velcro wheels.

 

You are talking about the 09 Fit Sport right..???? You do know that the stock wheel size is 16 inches and not 15 inches right...??.... food for thought

 

Doh!! You beat me to it!!! And he states he has an 09 Sport so not sure how he didn't need to change wheel size.... hmmm

 

The problem appears to be associated with the USDM Base, which I don't think has the welded in anti-roll bar. (is anyone able to confirm?)

I have the anti-roll bar and Base size tyres (Mine are Goodyear GT3 though), and I have no issues with motorway handling.

 

Spoiled Australians....

 

What is a bit hard to sort out of this thread is the difference in high speed stability between Base and Sport models. The Sport differs in two important respects:
1. The lower profile 185/55 x 16 tires on the Sport, vs. the 175/65 x 15 tires on the Base. Note also that the 16 inch tires are H speed rated, and the 15 inchers are not.
2. The presence of a rear stabilizer bar on the Sport, not present on the Base.

Maybe it is Sport Snobbery, but I would think that these two upgrades would both act to improve high speed stability. I promise that when our on-order Orange Revolution Sport w/Nav arrives, I will be sure to check it out at 75 mph on I-95 and report back.

 

I'm looking forward to throwing my Integra Blades with 205/50/15 tires on the Fit, once we get it, to see how it looks/handles.

 

we're just used to having cars that go around corners.

 

I agree with the 205/45x16's being equally as good as 205/50x15's. Both tires have very close revs per mile but the 205/50x15 combo is a trifle lighter so 205/50x15 is possibly better for competition but the 205/45x16's are equally as good for the street. We have both sets here and the difference is not found on the street, only on stopwatch. Besides, since neither are Dunslops, there is no tire wander at all. Its all in the tire construction. And we drive ours at speeds up to 100 mph regularly on track outings with severe side loadings.
Changing tire brands is the easy solution.

 

^^^Good info!!!

 

I see posts referring to 205/50R15 size. From an online tire size calculator, it shows that 205/55R15 is closer to the original overall height thus reducing speedometer inaccuracy. Not sure about clearances though.

I'm thinking about when I need to change my original 175/65R15 Dunlops that i'll change sizes. What do you guys think about 185/60R15 or even 195/60R15 sizes?

 

^^With the 96-00 Civics, Honda used 185/65/14. For the Si they used 195/55/15. Typically you can up the first number and you have to lower the 2nd number. Like 185/65/14-195/60/14-205/55/14. Or 185/55/16-195/50/16-205/45/16. Or 195/55/15-205/50/15-185/60/15. All of those sizes are pretty close to the same circumfrence and you can get away with using them. The Fits tire size is almost identicle to 96-00 Civics and 94-00 Integras.

 

I found this thread, because the straight line stability on my car is horrible. I wish I had a longer test drive on the freeway before I bought the car. I have an 09 sport model with manual transmission. I think I will have the dealer check the alignment. The grooves in the road pull the car all over the place, and then the slightest correction can occasionally really over correct. I am just talking about at 65 to 70 mph. I have driven hundreds of cars in my life and never experienced anything like the dartyness of this car. If I take my hands of the steering wheel, it will not hold its lane for more than about 3 seconds. It doesn't pull one way or the other, but the road will eventually grab it and yank it off course.

 

Though the Fit has this natural trait, yours sounds more pronounced. In SoCal, with the grooved freeways tramlining will enhance the wind buffeting instability. Good news is that after the tires wear a little this should mitigate to some degree. I'm already used to mine. It's not a big deal to me.

 

I have a 09 Sport Fit that I commute about 45 miles at around 70 mph round trip to and from work. It is mostly highway driving. I have not notice any straight line stability problem with the OEM tire 185/55 on 16" rims under typical driving condition. But when there is a cross wind or when I am pass by a larger vehicle, a pickup truck, mini-van, full size van, tractor trailer, etc I do feel being push around.

 

A short time lurker & potential owner here. I also found the handling of the Sport AT model I test drove a bit different. When you turn, it plants itself nicely but it has an unnatural sensation as it leans (rolls) when turning or bobbing during lane changes. I was going around 40 mph but was curious how the same movement feels @ hwy speeds. Judging by what I read, if the Fit is that sensitive to alignment errors and/or tires, it would seem it is an inherent characteristic of a light, tall & narrow car like it is. Granted, all of my cars were lowered (Celica, Integra, VW, E46) but the Fit drove more like my current X3 sport: similar levels of initial grip & body control but bobbing & weaving of an SUV. The X3 has enough heft & body control to be stable @ hwy speeds, I've wondered how the Fit would do w/o the weight to stabilize itself. If the Fit is in need to constant alignment checks & finicky about tires, I'm afraid the Fit simply was designed primarily as a city car.

 

For those who say its the tires, I tend to disagree. Remember, old E-class rode 195s & ITRs rode on 205s. If anything, I think the Fit's are "over-tired": Mini's come standard in 175s. The only thing is is the narrow, upright design of the Fit doesn't help itself stability wise.