Hi everyone,

Hoping someone can help here.

I'm looking to put winter tires on our fit sport 2013. Every tire shop I go is telling me that I can't downsize to 15 inch steel rims that would fit on a base Honda Fit. I want to do that since 15s are cheaper and getting rims would allow me to swap the tires myself.

I can't understand why everyone is telling it can't be done since I don't think there's any difference in brakes, bolt pattern or suspension that would prevent doing that. No one can explain why, they just go by what the "book" says.

The size of tire I would like to put is 175/65R15 and I would like to mount them on steel wheels.

The wheels I have found would work on a Honda Fit base model, they just mention that I would need hub rings (no idea what those are) and maybe tire pressure sensors (which I don't feel I have on the car).

Cheers!

 

You can downsize to 15s or 14s if you wish. I picked up some 14" steelies and snow tires for my 2017 from tire rack.

 

Thanks for confirming - I wonder why everyone is telling me it can't be done.

 

Because I'm sure they have policies to only go by their fitment guide, which is obviously not complete. They're not allowed to use their brains. If you search the forum here you'll find plenty off people running downsized rims. I got 14s because they were cheaper and some extra sidewall is nice in the winter.

 

Perfect - thank you so much. Really helpful - will save a couple 100 $!!

 

Just make sure the brake rotors / calipers remain clear with smaller diameter wheels.

 

I own a 2012 and have successfully run 14” steel wheels and snow tires for the last 5 winters. Rims and tires were leftover from my previous car (2002 civic si). Front rims barely clear the calipers but there has never been any rub.

One note: I found the ESC intrusive when using my snows because it turned on earlier due to the lack of TPMS in my winter wheels (car assumed the tires were under inflated?). Installed and programmed clonnable TPMSs last winter and I was very pleased with the results.

 

Remember that from the factory, TPMS sensors for 16" rims versus 15" "alert" at different psi levels. I think it doesn't hurt to put the 18", 17", 16", 15", 14" wheels on but for you to get a representative / realistic indication of under-inflation, you'll have to get the TPMS sensor that "alerts" where you want it.

 

I'm running 15 inch rims on mine

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...nter-mode.html