Guys, I've got 3400 miles on my 2012 Base MT and I'm wondering if the steering quirkiness is due to the Dunlops or if the front end is out of alignment. Yes, the steering is delightfully quick - rather like a '65 Porsche I once had - but it's slightly eratic as well.

Does anyone else experience the car darting while at highway speeds?

Will

 

I don't think you have a problem It's just the nature of this little go kart

It took me a few days to get use to it and I actually enjoy it.I'm on the stock Dunnies with 7K miles and at hwy speeds it is stable.

I can see where some will find the super quick steering a little unsettleing
but for me it feels like driving a kart.

also at stock height the wind can cause problems because of the somewhat high center of gravity and tall profile of the fit.I plan to lower my car about 1" and I've heard even that small drop will help with what you describe.

 

Yes, the base fit has terrible tires. I replaced my 2010 base with a summer set and a winter set; it is still responsive but the squirrelness is gone.

 

Suggestion: If you want to improve stability on freeways in cross-winds and drafts from passing big rigs, (and if you want to make canyon runs even more fun), install a Progress Rear Anti-Sway Bar.

09-11 Honda Fit Rear anti-roll bar Progress Technology: Anti-roll bars, sport springs, coil-overs, camber kits and more since 1995!

 

Mine improved a lot when I replaced the tires and had it aligned at 30K miles. I think it needed alignment when I bought it. I even brought it in to have it checked and the dealer convinced me it didn't need it. I put on Michelin Energy tires. Gas mileage improved about 10% too.

Have the alignment checked. Pay for it if you have to. Don't wait like I did.

 

I have a 2012 Sport AT and yes, it feels "wandery" at highway speeds on the stock Dunlops. Once I wear out the stock tires I'm planning on going to something like the Continental DWS 205/50/16's and hoping that will cure it or at least help.

 

When I changed from OEM size to the 205/50-16 DWS it helped significantly. It's still a little bit squirrelly in high cross winds, but nothing like it was before. Handling is so much better now.

A slight drop also helps plant the car better from what Swift springs owners have said.

 

A few other people have posted that these tires help with road noise also. Have you noticed any difference over the Dunlops?

 

Yes, the stock base tires are terrible, way too narrow. 175s belong on 2000 lb Toyota Tercels, have no idea why they couldn't just put 185 from the factory.

Replaced my tires with 185/65 almost immediately after I got the car in 2010 and sold the Dunlops on CL. Night and day difference after I drove out of the tire shop.

The steering rack is tight, only 2.5 turns lock to lock, so it will feel a little more darty than most cars you're used to driving. I did have to get used to it.

 

The stock Dunlops on my Sport seem to wear a little more on the outside edges even when pumped up above the recommended tire pressure (38psi versus 33psi printed on the label inside the door), so it seems like the stock Dunlops on the Sport aren't really wide enough to fit the stock rims properly. I'm definitely looking forward to upgrading to the 205 width.

 

My stock OEM's on the GE8 Sport were the crappy 185 Bridgestone Turanza's not the Dunlops. Overall there probably was a slight reduction in noise, but I didn't notice it too much.

I mainly noticed the difference in stability & handling, especially in the rain. The DWS's are great in the rain, almost unbelieveably good.
I'm sure you've seen this thread, but just in case ---> https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...ntact-dws.html

 

I haven't had happy experiences with Conti's on German cars I've owned. But that's years back. And, for now, I'm going to stay with the steel wheels. Just can't see putting $800 into alloys for this car. So, I'll be looking for stock sizes.

 

The Michelin Energy E3As are a good choice in our climate. They come in the stock Fit Base size. They're "summer performance" (don't know how much ice you get). Very grippy on wet/dry roads; the thing stops like it should. Tracks much more like a grown-up car too (but that may have been the alignment). I've got about 12K on mine, no complaints. Tire Rack has them.

 

When aligned I get no wandering. It's worth checking the alignment.

 

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm going to see to the alignment and try to wear out these OEMS and replace with decent shoes.

 

The car is very sensitive to tire pressures when it comes to this type of yaw (left-right) stability at highway speeds. I also thought it was the Dunlops. It wasnt. The Yokohama 195/60-15's do the same thing if I raise the pressures too much above stock, or vary them F/R.

I tried 40 all around for gas mileage and it was noticeably worse. 32 rear and 35 front made aggessive cornering fun, but at the expense of highway yaw instability. Im at 35 all-around now and its ok, but will probably drop the fronts to 33 for more relaxed long trips.

Alignment should not be the issue unless it pulls to one side or tires are wearing unevenly. Sometimes I have found a car is worse after a tire shop has messed with alignment. doctorz, did you get a before/after report and could tell us which settings were changed? Thanks.

 

Thanks, Nikita. Based on your experience, I'll experiment with pressures to see what results. I bought the Fit new the first week in January and still have only 3400 miles on it. Just need to play with it a bit, I guess.