the circumference. we really need a facepalm emoticon at ff...

 

Funny how fate works sometimes. I’m riding on 3/32 stock rubber in winter. I procrastinated too long and missed the Kumho rebate and now I have a flat to boot– wonderful. Luckily I found ThreadDepo offering an instant $50 sale ONLY on the PA31s . Total comes out to $302 shipped, which would cost the same via TireRack minus waiting 6-8 weeks for the Kumho rebate. If you need tires, get them quick before they run out of stock (or sale)!

I finally decided to stick with 185/55/16 figuring unspring weight is a low power engine’s friend especially for stop and go jolts. BUT both 185/55/16 AND 205/55/16 are out of stock. My only option is 205/50/16 –LOL. Who am I to fight fate. I am excited to try these tires out.


EDIT: Looks like this runs till the end of Jan '14 and includes other tires but no rebate to mess with . Another keyphrase is "Only valid on in stock items".
Rebates, Discounts & Special Offers for Tires, Wheels & ATVs | Tread Depot

 

Just a quick update that these tires are quite nice for AS. It is the epitome of a balanced tire that is good at everything and cheap to boot!

Sidewall is nice and solid, not squirmy. They are not quiet but offers a good compromise in NVH. These are not Touring or LRR tires. Road noise is not ideal compared to other GT/T tires I've had but these very good dry traction. Regarding ultimate grip, the 4X i had before offers more. Where I am pleased is the snow traction. I drove throught 5-6 inches of snow (dry fluffy snow) with modest throttle control. I typically don't like traction control but with it on and these tires rolling, I feel confidant to pass and go faster than I should. Don't get me wrong, there is still slippage but easily controlled and can't be compared to dedicated snow tires.

FWIW, I mounted General GMax AS03 on the Mazda5 and I like the PA31 more.

 

Well, you made your decision...but I'll respond anyway. I too would like to hear from anyone who is running 205/55-16's....
Because I wanted to add some vehicle height, tire sidewall height, and reduce road noise I went with 195/55 tires. They have worked out quite well and I'll never put the 185's back on. But my 195's will need replacement soon, so I'm back to the question again. Not concerned about the speedo...just concerned about true issues. The 195/55 can be someone pricey. We live where there is never snow.

Back when my 195's were new.
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...droedge-3.html

 

I am about to replace a set of Continental DWS 205/55/16. They've been great. Definitely cushier than the stock dunlops it came with, not quite as tight feeling, but good for me as a commuter, even in the mountains, and night and day better in rain and snow. Never any issues with rub or anything. I lost 3-4 mpg's with the larger tire and my Odometer is a couple mph off, according to my GPS. I would get another set, but I'm thinking about splitting the difference in size and trying a 195/50/16 or 195/55/16. hope that helps

 

Well, without doubt stay with the 55 profile unless you want really short/compact tires. For me, I'm looking for both vehicle height and tire height. I'm happy with my 195/55 Yokohama tires, but they will need to be replaced within the year. If going with a 205/55 will result in a 3 mpg loss, then that would equate to a $250 higher cost in gas over the life of the tires. In that case I might just stay with the 195/55 size.

 

205/50/16 if going 16's.

 

I'm running 205/50 and I'm getting 38mpg highway 33-35 city. Why would anyone want 205/55 or 195/55 when it's not even the correct size? 205/50 is an option for the fit with mugen wheels.

 

Just curious about the MPG differences noted here. If any of your speedos are off due to different diameter tires, then so would the calculations the Fit is making for MPG and showing on the dash. After all, it doesn't know the tire size has changed and that each miles it advances the odometer isn't really a mile.

You guys might have to fill the tank, log your mileage, wait for your next fill up, figure out how far you drove, adjust the miles you drive by the percentage difference in tire diameter, and lastly calculate MPG with that adjusted number and how much fuel you added to your tank.

 

good point, all of my mpg findings are based on the car's computer. I've think I've settled on 195/55/16 for my next set. The 205/55's felt quite a bit cushier and more robust than the stock 185/55 dunlops, but size-wise, splitting the difference would seem ideal.

 

Aww crap. I just bought a Costco membership. There goes half of its value to me.

 

just ordered a set of PA31's 195/55/16 replace my 205/55/16 DWS. Will give a report back when I've got a few miles on them. Too bad theyre not here in time to manage the 6-10" were supposed to get tonight..

 

@2010FitSport - Great point! In addition to weight, you need to be mindful that the sporty/grippy tire will naturally drag more and create more roll resistance. You can't have everything so pick your poison.

I am still not too familiar with the pitfalls of the Fit but I don't believe vibrations due to balancing is an issue. Nonetheless, do it right and have it road force balanced. Hunter GSP9700 is the best machine in the industry (unless something newer popped-up). Use link below to find a location. For those in the Phila area, there's an AWESOME garage I highly recommend.
http://www.gsp9700.com/search/findgsp9700.cfm

I hope you are not expecting the PA31 to perform like the DWS!?.. I had the DW (minus Snow) and they are fantastic. Also, ground clearance will be a bigger issue. The PA31 is a very balanced tire. Good at everything but not great at anything, perfect for AS DD duty IMO. The General (Conti sister company) GMax AS03 is the better AS snow tire but not as well balance as the PA31 -both short of the DWS. I'm more concerned with DD and sporty (dry) use.

 

No, I'm not expecting them to be similar. The design goal of the DWS is pretty different than the PA31. Also the 205/55/16 DWS has a pretty loose feel with the soft sidewall and soft rubber compound. The PA31 is also almost half the price per tire as the DWS, so I wouldnt expect them to be comparable on that factor alone.

 

That might be my next tire size, since my 195/55-16 are getting thin. I like the idea of additional tire height since the Fit is so low, but I also don't want to do anything that will harm MPG. The 195/55 was a good improvement over the stock 185/55, but I can find the same tire for less money in the 205/55 size.

 

Where did you get them? I hate the original honda tires in the snow. My sears says that the conti tires they have don't fit the 2009 sport fit