Hey guys, first post.


I’m on my second 2nd-gen Fit Sport (09 to a 13), and the suspension on the newer one feels the same as on the older one. That is to say, rough. Any seam or line in the road transfers a decent shock to the cabin. I assume that since they both feel the same way, this is normal for a Sport?

The 09 had about 125k miles, and the 13 has 100k miles (but has felt the same since I bought it with 75k). Both completely stock with presumably all-original parts.

The 09 just had some basic all-seasons, and the 13 has some Cooper all-seasons on the front and Blizzaks on the rear (Yes, I know, I’m just waiting for them to wear out). Stock 185-55-16 on both cars.

For comparison, I have a 92 Integra that used to have Ground Control 550F/550R springs, Koni Yellows, and 205-45-16 tires (stock is 195-60-14), and the Fit’s ride is harsher over road seams.
The Fit feels about as harsh as my 01 Integra with stock size BFG Sport Comp 2 summer tires. Superb handling, but those things are brutal.

I’m a Lyft driver, and a handful of times I’ve heard “does this car have any suspension?” It’s noticeably worse when people are in the back, and I’m guessing it’s not the tires, being that they’re squishy Blizzaks.

I need to buy tires soon (planning on 205-50-16). Maybe S.Drives? I’m just not sure what to expect if the ride is already this uncomfortable for my passengers. I can’t try them out and return them…

So my 3 questions are:
Does it seem that my suspension is normal?
Are S.Drives considerably harsher than what came on the car originally?
Has anyone compared harshness between S.Drive and Sport Comp 2?

Thanks for bearing with the long post. I just want to make sure all potential questions are covered.

 

Really, no comments on the suspension? None?

 

The suspension on my 12 Sport is pretty harsh. I think that since the rear seat is so close to the rear wheels, it feels extra harsh in the back. My better half complains about it when he sits back there.

 

Summer tires generally have stiffer sidewalls than all-seasons.

Fits ride like butt, you made a bad choice if you're looking for a comfortable car.

 

+1 The Fit ain't no 90's Avalon for goodness sakes

 

Both of these statements are true.

To be honest, I believe the dampers on the 13 Fit are valved a little better than that of the 2009 but still aren't that great for ride comfort.

Considering that the mileage on your 13, are you sure that the shocks aren't getting weak and soon due for replacement? I'd go ahead jack up the rear of the car, pull both off and inspect to make sure. If they are, swap them out with something OE spec... OR maybe Koni STRTs. I've been hearing that these are actually SOFTER than stock or at least are valved accordling to go with decent lowering springs like Swift, Eibachs, etc. Give that some research before deciding though.

Regarding tires, any summer tire in the class of the S.Drive is going to have a fairly springy (not necessarily stiff) sidewall. Maybe look into a high performance all season like a Continental DWS 06 or similar alternative in 205/50R16?

 

We have the S Drives on 16" wheels. Definitely not what you want if comfort is the goal.

On our 15's we have Yokohama Avid Envigor's. Better in the rain, quieter on the highway, and more compliant for bumps. Not a handling tire though.

 

I wouldn't recommend going the 205 tires. Your gas mileage will suffer, and the risk of the tire coming out in a hard emergency turn is increasing.

The suspension issues are hard to diagnose over the internet. If your rear shocks are not leaking, chances are, the car drives the way it should, although at 100 K they may be tired.

I bought Hankook Ventus 2 Concept 2 from Amazon, only 55$ per tire in OEM size. They are okay, seem to give the ride a little less stability than OEM dunlops, but I am pretty satisfied with the Hankooks, especially considering the low price.

 

I've got a GK and supposedly the ride is more compliant than a GD/GE. I wouldn't know personally as the GK is my first Fit. I can say it's still more jarring than other compacts I've driven so I think it's just the way the Fit is designed. That live rear axle does not help.

I switched from the stock 185/55/16 to 205/50/16 and have not had any noticeable MPG drop counter to the previous poster. Still getting 40+ MPG, fill-up a few days ago was 41MPG and the previous two have been 43.5 and 42.9. 2 tanks after I got the 205s installed, I got 46 MPG but that was in the spring when I wasn't running the AC full time. The ride is better with the newer tires over stock, but that's hardly surprising. It's still a bumpy Fit, but less so.

Also not sure how it increases "the risk of the tire coming out in a hard emergency turn"? I went with the Altimax RT43 for my commuter Fit and the tires are rated for the width of the stock rims. I had to a quick swerve to avoid some roadkill this morning and the car didn't feel twitchy. Car behind me hit the roadkill lol

 

My Mom has a 2011 and my good friend has a 2009. Both have switched to 205's and report better handling not worse. Having more rubber on the ground while still being in compliance with the tires rated wheel width will improve, not reduce, the handling of the car.

205's are still incredibly skinny compared to most car tires.

 

The technical explatiin of why it's not safe to mount a wider tire on a noarrower rim is here: http://www.rimringz.com/tire-too-wide-or-too-narrow/

Fit's owner's manual warns to not use tires other than 185/55/16 on these rims for safety reasons.

People are of course free to do what they want. Darwin's natural selection at work.

 

Good thing I'll never have that product installed on my car to worry about it falling off w/ my non-standard tires.

My 205/50/16 tires have a range of 5.5-7.5. My rims are 6" so that falls in line. I'm not too worried about it. I put different size tires on my SUV 100,000 miles ago and it's still on the road, but I guess I'm not afraid of my shadow...

 

ITT: People tell other people to voluntarily make their cars worse.

205/50/16 on the OEM wheels is dumb.

 

https://blog.tirerack.com/blog/roll-...9-38f7a3866f58

 

Interesting he's got a shoutback to FF on May 31st:

 

Tire Rack used to be fairly vocal on here. Giving advice and making recommendations on tires and wheels. That was "back in the 'ole days" when I was active. I see they are still the sponsors of this section. Pretty cool.

 

I had to research this because I had never heard of that. Checked the '12 manual and '15 manual. Not one mention of what size to run on these particular wheels. If you see something from Honda that specifically mentions the 16" wheels and tire width, please show us.

Manual has the usual CYA statement that the tire size must be same as what's on the door jam label. All my cars say that. Pretty laughable given that every auto manufacturer violates that rule themselves when they offer dealer installed wheels of different diameters.

Even our 2008 Fit, that had very few dealer installed options available, offered a 16" wheel upgrade. Stock size on door jam...195/55-15. Size included with dealer option wheels...205/45-16. Not a match for width, aspect ratio or diameter and yet they somehow work. Go figure!

Most important thing is to not go beyond what is listed as acceptable for the tire by the manufacturer. Pretty sure those that stretch a 195 onto an 8" wide wheel are probably out of spec.

 

195 on an 8" wheel is not much stretch at all. Lots of Miata track guys run that.

 

Strange that you'd recommend to not put a 205 on a 6" wheel when it falls within tire manufacture's guidelines yet you find a 195 on an 8" wheel to be just fine.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...WR6S&tab=Specs

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...6SXL&tab=Specs

Better check the door jams on that S2000 and make sure you have the right tire sizes.

 

I don't.

My OEM sizing is 205/55/16 on 16x6.5 and 225/50/16 on 16x7.5

I run 255/40/17 on 17x9.

205 on a 6" wheel is a ton of a tire on a tiny wheel. Going to have mushy steering feel because the tire will roll over on itself before anything really happens.