Last winter, whenever it snowed I drove my kid's 1993 Civic EX to work because I put REAL snow tires on it and the Fit with its summer tires SUCKED in any type of snow. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't go another winter without real snow tires (NOT that "All Season" crap....it's not the same...not even CLOSE).

So now I'm shopping for some steel wheels (and I couldn't care less about the TPMS - I know how to use a tire pressure gauge). I really want to use the same snow tires that I have for the kid's car....General Altimax Arctic tires. I think my only option for this will be to use 15" wheels (as opposed to the 16" ones that it came with) and 195/60 tires. This should be an almost identical match in diameter, so the speedo should still be accurate.

Can anyone think of a reason NOT to do this? I can get the 4 tires mounted and balanced, on steel wheels including shipping, etc for $528. (there's also a $25 gift card deal going right now on tirerack.com, so it would be about $500 even total cost, really)

I don't think I'm going to do much better than that. What do you guys/gals think?


Warner

 

I called and spoke with a guy at tire rack who confirmed that this combination will work in place of the 16" wheels. They do take different lug nuts (that they COME with!). So it's going to be a piece of cake....I'll just pull the old wheels/tires off and put the snows on (probably in November or December....when it actually may snow). This is actually going to help my current tires last until Spring of 2012, since the snows will be on this winter and next. I have 35k on the stock tires, but they actually look okay. I'll just rotate the backs to the front in Spring....

Warner

 

I put 15" steelies on my Sport. I have 185/65SR15 BFGs on them. Worked well and nice ride too.


First pics from last year with plastic hubcaps Second a pic of one just painted. Should be a nice fit as I am now lowered on Swifts.

 

Thanks for the reply Black. I was AMAZED at the difference the snow tires made. I was literally pulling away from 4wd vehicles on snow in the kid's civic. It was nothing short of amazing. Here's a good video comparison of true snow tires vs all season radials in snow from the tire rack site:

Video Center

Warner


PS - I'll be rocking them in the standard black color, with no wheel covers.

 

And this isn't why I chose the General Altimax Arctics.....but I'm glad I did:

Video Center


Warner

 

Aww man... I'm in Winnetka, so, not too far from Elgin.

You're making me worried... this would be my first winter with the Fit.

Then again, you actually have summer tires on your Fit, not all-seasons. If I had summer tires, I'd get winter tires without a second thought.

I guess I'll give this winter a go on the stock all-seasons to see just how bad it is. Then, if needed, I'll get the winter tires on steelies (and eventually summer tires for the OE alloys).

Spending more money is something I'm trying to limit right now (financial crunch!).

 

warner - check these out.

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/sale...tml#post907568

 

Go 14, 175 wide. Cheap, comfortable, efficient.

 

I run 185/70r14 winter tires, tein s-tech -1.6" no rubbing =) but FLUSH

 

I have the stock tires on it now, so when I say 'summer tires' that is what I am talking about. They were brand new and HORRIBLE in the snow. I don't mean to scare anyone, and I am a good winter driver, but they were really bad. I feel SO MUCH better now that I have the snow tires on the way. Yeah, its $500 that I really didn't want to spend, but how much would one accident cost? My deductible is $400, and that would be the tip of the iceberg....some losses go way beyond monetary....

Warner

 

Thanks....but I did order the black steel wheels and General tires as mentioned in the original post. I know the wheels will be straight, come balanced and ready to install, including the correct lug nuts. I think I'll be quite happy with what I ordered. Those tires on the kid's Civic were amazing in the snow last winter. This will sound sick, but they were SO good in the snow I actually looked forward to having it snow so I could drive in it again. I know...that's sick, right?

Warner

 

Hey so does the $500 include shipping?

 

yup. I checked it out, it's about 450-ish before s&h, then another 75 or so for S&H from somewhere in Indiana to me with the cheapest shipping option. The minus the $25 "rewards."

So, the price is really, 450-ish plus whatever shipping costs will be to where ever from where ever (you can choose which one of their locations to ship from).

 

Not only does it include shipping charges, but they come mounted and balanced, too. That saves some bucks as well! I think I spent $15 a wheel/tire on the kids car for mounting and balancing...so that's $60 right there.

Warner

 

Exactly right. Mine were $528 and then they send you a $25 gift card, so just over $500. And they SAY the closest shipping location is Indiana, but the UPS track on mine indicates they are coming from Sparks, Nevada. I don't care...the shipping charges stayed the same. If you get them, let me know how you like them. Like I said I have lived in Chicago my entire life (and I'll be 45 this year) and I had NEVER driven with TRUE snow tires until last winter on my oldest son's car. And I was completely blown away with how great they were in the snow. Honest to God I looked FORWARD to driving in the snow because it made me laugh every time I drove that car on snow.

Warner

 

Down here people refer to snow tires as mud grips. Snow isn't so much of a problem but every few years we have some pretty bad ice storms.