What tire size(s) are possible for the 09 non-sport fit? I've learned that the 175 65 15 tires are few and hard to find, however I've been told by a few tire places that I could go wider and slightly taller e.g. 185 65 15 (I think that's what was recommended but I could have forgotten the ratio).

Anyway bottom line - what is a good tire size to open up to more tire options for the non-sport 09 Fit (assume non-performance)?

Thanx

 

195/60/15 has a lot of options and the fit sits only .1" taller (Radius)

http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/tirescgi is a good calculator for determining tire size.

Searching should also net you some good info including personal experiences.

~SB

 

First, when you go wider - and heavier - on tires you need to slightly reduce tire diameter, not go taller unless you won';t mind less mpg and slower acceleration.
The correct, and easiest, replacedment for 175/65x15 is 185/60x15 tires of which there are a ton of choices from economy to high performance. They all work well on 5" rim width as you will see on the rim width range in tire specs.
The change in diameter from 23.95" to 23.74" won't be noticed by your odometer or speedometer but your mpg, acceleration, and cornering will improve depending on which tire you choose based on tirerack.com tire information and testing. PSD you can order from discounttire.com and avoid shipping costs; turns out to be a little cheaper but not a bunch.

 

I'd rather go taller than shorter because I find the car too low as it is and performance driving isn't important to me (I'm taking it off road to do my sports and find free camping). Width isn't important either so I can go either direction.

But I understand what you are saying in terms of gas mileage and performance. Are there popular narrow tires that would fit that are as tall or slightly taller?

I would just stick with what Honda spec'd but it seems very limited number of tires of this size are available - and here in Canada what few there are have to be specially ordered and of course cost double.

If there was an easy way to lift the Fit up I'd go with a shorter tire but my thread on that seems to have hit no replies so I'm guessing it's very hard to do.

 

Link doesn't work for me.

 

Of course there is a way to 'lift' the Fit by exchanging springs with a heavier car, especially a Honda like a Civic. You might get help from aftermarket spring selledrs like H&R or Eibach.
Please note that will put your Fit at risk of turning over on a turn. A 175/70x15 will work then as would a 185/70x15. Depending on the spring substituted you can raise the Fit by an inch or two but boy will you ever be a moving traffic pylon. Then of course you can choose the tire of your choice within reason.

 

I went with 195/60-15, only 0.1" taller. Tons of choice in that size and it does fit the rim. There is still clearance for tire chains (type S cables), but you are probably required to use winter-specific tires in Canada.

 

185/60/15
185/65/15
195/60/15

All fine choices with lots of tire options, none lift the car up though.

If I had to deal with snow I guess i'd get 185/65/15 or 185/70/15, 185/70 will throw off your speedo a little bit but is a taller tire.

 

I have snow tires on different wheels so that's all good (and chains). I think I should have gone for studded tires though for the drives thru the passes and for getting to ski touring spots a little more pleasant.

Traffic pylon? Cause I'll be sitting still? Or do you mean I'd wobble a lot? Would an inch higher with stiffer springs be that bad?

Anyway it's been the hitch that hits so likely not too much an issue - just unpleasant sound getting out of my vacation house driveway unless the car is empty.

 

Tire size calculator

Sorry about the link.

195/60/15" is a slightly taller tire (not by much) and has tons of options. Check it out on tirerack, Discount tire, or Canadian tire.

~SB

 

a 195 wouldn't be too much for the GE base rim to cover?

 

No, I have 195/60 on base steelies, they fit fine, don't even bulge much.

 

Hey.. i am doing exactly the same thing with my fit. I got 175 65 r15 *5.5j rims on 2009 fit.. i just wanted to see how it looked like...can you please post some pics from top or side angle so that i can have an idea how it sits on 195 60 tyres ? And does the tyre come out of the fender ? And what pressure are you running ? Thankyou

 

Tires do not come out of the fender at all, run 36psi front 36psi rear for daily driving. I'll try to take a picture a little bit later.

 

Sorry for cell phone shots, i'm @ work. 195/60/15 on OEM steel wheels. Car is lowered that's why it looks closer to fender. No rubbing or anything so not to worry about anything.

 

Hey thats pretty nice... and yes they dont even bulge much.. i hope the ride is more comfortable than stock tyres:-) did you notice any drop in fuel economy ? And thanks alot for sharing pics !:-)

 

I can't really compare to the stock tires as far as comfort because I got rid of the stock tires within the first 5k miles of ownership (this was two years ago). It seemed I was getting maybe 1 mpg less fuel economy with the bigger tires, but I still get 37-40mpg daily, so I don't think it made a huge difference.

 

Okay.. getting 195 60 r 15 yokohama c drives tomorrow .. any suggestions ?

 

Put em on and let us know how it goes...

 

So it was a rainy day when i went to tyre guy and asked for c drives.. He said when you go wider you need reduce the overall radius a little.. So i went for 195 55 r 15 radar rpx 900..
Because c drives do not come in this size he also showed me s drives, but i have personally experienced that s drives tend to get noisy after some time and was also expensive than radar. He was very successful in convincing me to buy these tyres as he had positive feedback.. No bulging at all, nice tread pattern, very less noise, ride is better at potholes, handling in wet and dry is great.. very much comparable to s drives, got pure value for money, almost no effect on mpg.. Over all i m satisfied! now i m looking for some rims but could not find can anybody help me with the offsets here?