Time for snow tires is here and I would like to continue using my go to tire which is a general altimax arctic. The smallest tire they make in a 16 is 205/55/16 which is about 3/4" taller and wider than the stock 185/55/16

If it does fit without rubbbing I might change my summer tires to that size as well as they are much more common and cheaper..

 

This is the side by side comparison.
http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-...5R16/205-55R16

 

Should be fine on stock wheels at stock height, although a less than optimal setup. But if you like the tires what can you do.

 

I'm open to suggestions as well. I've had blizzak ws60 and ws70, winterforce, Michelin x-ice, good year ultra ice wrt, and Dunlop ice maxx. All on the same car same heavy/light snow and ice/black ice.

By far my favorites are the generals and the good years. They both perform as good or better than the Michelin's and blizzaks, and cost $40-60 less per tire. Will add the winterforces are a close 3rd. Great price and perform well

But I am open to try something new as long as they're not much over $100 per tire.

I drive about 800-1000 miles a week so treadlufe means a lot which is why I'm not interested in trying the ws80s

 

Here's a good discussion thread, just do yourself a favor and skip pages 2 and 3

I think they covered most of the tires you mentioned though, and most people are using 15" steels for winter wheels for the larger tire selection, but anyway

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...our-fit-7.html

 

OP, What year is your FIT? If it is a 2009 or 10, downsize to a 15" steel/alloy wheel for the winter and run the Altimax at 185/65/15. you sit about 1/4" higher off the ground but have better snow traction due to the narrower tire. With a 205, you will be floating on top of the snow instead of cutting through it. I run the exact setup I mentioned above and got my alloys off of craigslist for cheap. I'm on the 3rd winter on my Altimax Arctic snows. If you move to a separate wheel/tire combo, you won't have to remount/balance twice per year which adds another $75-$100/year's worth of cost to the winter tires.

~SB

 

Thanks, Ill read through that



mine is an 09 Sport

I was thinking about getting 15" steelies, but couldn't find anything locally.. The TPMS light being on doesnt mean anything to me, and is very easy to ignore

Im with you on the General altimax arctics .. Best Ive ever used and couldn't be happier

What bolt pattern and width should I be looking for?

 

Well the snow is here. Expecting anywhere from 12-16 inches thru Tuesday.

Might have to just get the blizzaks and deal with uneven / fast wear.

Steelies are not an option anymore as I see that when tpms throws a code you are unable to disengage traction control. Which is a no go for me , and the only times I've even got myself stuck was due to traction control being on.

Any positive reviews on the ws70s? I've never had them on a fit, but maybe they have better results than my previous car.

 

I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta directional snows on 15" aftermarket alloys on all corners. This will be the fourth season for the set (with 6/32" of tread left) and I attribute the longevity to the brand and to 5K front-to-back rotations. I've used Hakkas for several decades on two and 4wd buggies and still love 'em.