An update on my latest Fit experience.

I had a truly informative and very enjoyable shopping experience at Big Star Honda on the Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas.

The salesperson was Aleia James. She answered all of my questions very well, never rushed me, automatically gave me the option of test driving on the freeway. I had gone to two other Honda dealerships and both of them said no freeway driving! I think they just wanted to end the drive sooner because I wasn't going to buy the car that day. If I buy a Fit it will be from Aleia.

During my experience checking out the Fit, I had plenty of time to see how the tilt steering wheel, infotainment center and lots of other features operated. I also got to see the purple in person and it was very, very dark. It almost looked brown as the setting sun was hitting it. Overall it looked like a very ripe, dark plum.

My only concern that I had was the loud noise while driving on the freeway. I think the majority of the sound came from the tires up front. I'm curious as to how those who have modified their Fits by applying the stick-on squares in the engine compartment, doors and spare wheel area are finding the noise reduction.

One other strange noise that happened once was a loud low pitched groan when I stepped on the brakes when I first started driving the car. Aleia said that was due to the new car, it only had 5 miles on it. It only happened once in the parking lot.

Aleia said they offer lifetime nitrogen in the tires so that the air stays inflated properly longer so that the pressure doesn't have to be adjusted as often. I have read issues where the tire air pressure sensors have gone off and I'm wondering if at the time nitrogen was being used.

She also said they offer tinted windows, $100.00 less than the other local dealership and the reason the dealership tint is better is they take the vin number for that car to get an exact template for perfect cut. Any opinions on that?

Thanks ahead of time,

Susan

 

Nitrogen in the tires are there to keep pressure more constant. With compress air there is always water in it so as it heats up the water expands more thus cause the psi to go up more then compare to dry nitrogen. Remember that air it self is about 70% nitrogen. What these nitrogen pumps are doing is filtering air so that mostly only the nitrogen is left and it is dry. Same thing can be done with air too if a air compressor with an air dryer is used.

As for the noise it is mostly the OE tires. Mine had the Firestone FR740 and was very noisy. I put on some after market wheels with Goodyear Eagle sport tires and the noise went down considerably.

I have an LX m/t and is supposedly more noisy with less sound dampening

 

Thanks for the reply and info.

Did you keep or change the size of the wheels/tires?

Susan

 

I got new wheels and tires but still have the OE steel wheels/tires. Will sell the stock ones to offset the cost. For folks that are in snow/ice area that needs winter tires it is best to keep the steel wheel for that.

I got 15x7 wheels, stock is 15x6 steel and 16x6 Aluminum. New tires are 195/60-15 so also wider and larger in diameter. Stock theoretical diameter for 185/60-15 is 603mm and 185/55-16 is 609.9mm. The theoretical diameter on the 195/60-15 is 615mm. I think the 7" wide is a tad bit wide even for a 195, 6" would fit best with a 195. The reasons why I choose 195/60-15 was because that size has a lot more choices compared to any other. Also smaller wheels are lighter then larger wheels which makes it more efficient and better performance all around.

You can check out my youtube video on this. Look me up on you tube.

As for wheel/tires depends on which model you get. For most cost effective, use up the OE tires and get quieter ones after. I have no idea how long the OE tires last, I'm guessing at least 30k miles.