Hi,
I just bought a 2009 Fit Sport that came with 185 55R16 tires on stock alloy wheels as well as a set of unmounted 195 55R16 winter tires that the previous owner would pay to have switched each season. I have a few options:

1) Keep switching out the tires on the wheels I have
2) 16" steel wheels that I can't seem to find in a 53 mm offset (42 is easier to find but what I've read suggests this is not a good idea)
3) 15" steel wheels and trade the winter tires I have with ones that will fit
4) A second set of alloy wheels which may or may not be stock but will cost more than steel ones, which eats into the cost savings of not paying to switch

Suggestions?

 

Others should chime in that have more experience ('11 Sport and I keep same 205/50-16 yr round goes well enough in Pennsylvania snow). On the forum, I've seen guys mount 175/65-15 tires on 15" steel wheels but I'm just going by "faulty" memory. For winter, a narrower tire will "cut" through the snow and not "float" like a wider tire.

I think they skip adding the TPMS sensors in the winter wheels, so that light will be illuminated. Not sure what the safety inspection procedures are in Canada but here, if any warning lights are "on" and there are codes in the computer, it won't pass the annual safety inspection. Every vehicle has its unique anniversary month, so mine has to be done by the end of Dec and I "can't" come in and do it in Oct, for example. So, if I had non-TPMS winter wheels on at the time, it wouldn't pass and if I drove off without the required window stickers, any cop could pull me over for $100 - $200 fine and a requirement to get it inspected, and provide paperwork to that officer / police dept that it has been successfully taken care of with maybe 30 days or else. This "dance" with the local police can happen if you have a burnt out tali light, hit a deer and one headlight is out, etc.

 

Mount your winter tires on your steel wheels, and next spring buy used 16" alloy wheels for your summer tires!

 

1) Keep switching out the tires on the wheels I have Bad idea. Too costly
2) 16" steel wheels that I can't seem to find in a 53 mm offset (42 is easier to find but what I've read suggests this is not a good idea) Best idea. The 42 offset will move the wheel 10mm towards the outside of the car. No big deal. Go to a Tire Rack, Discount Tire Direct website or call them. They use sophisticated CMM to measure, model and see what fits. If they say it fits, it will fit fine. They wouldn't stay in business taking back products that don't fit due to their errors.
3) 15" steel wheels and trade the winter tires I have with ones that will fit There's better options
4) A second set of alloy wheels which may or may not be stock but will cost more than steel ones, which eats into the cost savings of not paying to switch. OK option. Keep the OEM wheels for the snow tires and buy more expensive aftermarket for summer tires. Keep in mind that you will still see the more common 40mm offset that you have issue with on the steel wheels. Again trust the big wheel/tire sellers. If they say it will work, it will work

 

How much tread depth is left on the winter tires? It sounds from your post that the previous owner has used these tires for a few seasons. Most winter tires start out at 12/32 and are pretty much done by 6/32. If your'e even close to that, I would be looking at other options than paying to mount them/unmount them on any rim.

Option number 3 is your best bet long term.

 

Check Kijji. Lots of wheels on there.
Or you could mount the snows on what you have and buy my new looking 09 Sport wheels with tires for the Spring. I run 16"Rotos in the summer and have 03 Civic 15" Alloys for the winter.

 

So rocketcat, what did you decide?