Hi everyone,

I've read a lot of the snow tire posts and have settled on the Michelin X-Ice on steel wheels for my 2015 EX. I'm going with 15", -1 setup. Standard wheels and tires are 16"

I am torn between the 185/60 H-Rated and the 185/65 T-Rated.

There is a $5 price difference $82.70 vs. $77.70, which is negligible.

I'm leaning towards the 185/65 because I don't need anything sporty for the winter and I assume the slightly taller sidewall will be better for winter roads, potholes, etc.

Make me an argument either way...

Thanks

*I was also told by Discount Tire that new lug nuts are required because the Honda lug nuts aren't compatible with aftermarket wheels.

 

I have Michelin X-Ice 3s and they are really good. Did a -1 tire, 175/70/14. The tire shop said that a -1 would provide a narrower tread which would increase pressure to the road and therefore provide better grip. The taller sidewall will provide better cushioning in the bumpy snow/ice that builds up here. I could not feel any measurable difference in handling, though in the winter I tame down the cornering speed.

You should also consider the 175/70/14. it will fit, work well, and might be cheaper. I have an extra set of steel rims. All the Fits use the comparable sized wheels, be they 14, 15 or 16". There is no difference between the LX and the EX wheel sizes.

Note sliding the rear end of your Fit is not as easy due to the VSA.

To tell you the truth I think the 16" is actually a +1, the 15" is the standard and the 14" is a -1.

 

Thanks for the detailed response.

I'm not opposed to the 14". Surprisingly, the 175/70/14 are actually more expensive at $91.00 each.

 

Compare with TireRack as well. Their 14" package is $498 and includes mounting, balancing, and lug nuts with the Michelin's.

You will need the lug nuts. Discount Tire is correct.

 

I was quite concerned with the squatness of the Fit, with 5.5" of clearance, but I have had no issues in the snow. The Fit pulls very well. CommanderSlug got a lot of slush caught in his splash guard under his engine, but no damage was done.

 

It sounds like going 14" might be even better for me.

Thanks @GAFIT for pointing out the pricing at TireRack. Their site is great, but I have never bought from them since I have a lot of Discount Tire stores near me.

I see that they mount and balance, my plan is to buy steel wheels at the same time. I can put them on, but I prefer the ease of dropping it off at Discount for them to rotate and balance at regular intervals. I've had issues with tires in the past and they have replaced them. It was easy. I know I'm paying for that in the cost, but it is worth it in time saved.

Discount Tire is currently running a promotion on eBay for $100 off.

 

Whichever way you go, check the data on the mounted diameter of the snow tire combo you're looking at versus the mounted diameter of your OEM tires. You want them to be as close as possible to minimize speedometer error.


In my case, My EX came with 185-55R X 16 all season tires, and I went with 185-60R x 15 snow tires as recommended by TireRack. According to their data, they should have been within 1% error, but in actuality, the measured error (figured between my speedometer and my GPS) was 3%. When my speedometer read 65 MPH with the snow tires, my actual speed was 63 MPH. This meant I was burning up my warranty 3% faster.

 

I had second thoughts about the -1 to 14", but the performance was really good in the winter. The ride is somewhat smoother and the tires do soak up potholes a bit better, so less possibility of rim damage. The smaller rim theoretically makes it stronger than a larger rim. I prioritized better cushioning in winter over a cooler looking tire. Usually my tires are covered with salt anyway. The black steel rims with no hubcaps is somewhat a fashion statement here in the great white north.

 

my GK got a free set of 205/50/16's ws60. well, from my GE.

wat was the factory GK size again? if 185/60, then yah, i would just go with 185/65 get that extra clearance save a few bucks. snow tires loook like crap anyways.

 

Whichever size of tire you go with, the lug nut issue is that the Honda nuts/wheels are ball seat, compared to conical seat for aftermarket. If you get a set of Honda steel wheels from another Fit or Civic or anything with the appropriate size and offset, you don't need to worry about it.

 

I just bought a set of 15" hubcentric steel wheels from Costco here in Canada. They're supposedly ball seat and compatible with Honda so I don't have to change lug nuts although I haven't gotten to installing them yet to confirm that. The universal fit steelies which Costco also sells are not Honda compatible and so for those a change in lug nuts is required. Anyway that would seem to indicate that aftermarket Honda spec wheels are available but maybe not easy to find.

 

true. but if u buy from tirerack they will include new lugs for free

 

If you go with the TireRack or aftermarket wheels, be sure you put 4 of the OEM lug nuts in the trunk in case you have a flat and need to mount the spare tire, as the spare wheel requires ball seat lug nuts.

 

yes, very smart advice.

 

Personally I'd go with 'H' rated winters. I have the X-Ice in 185 60 15 and on my Fit, love them. Over the years I've driven different front wheel drive cars, and this Fit is the best one, and the most fun to drive on snow.

My 2000 Integra was the worst one. I had to go with 175 65 15 H Hankook Icebears. I originally had Pirelli 195 55 15 H Snowsports on them and it was awful finding straight-line traction. These Pirelli's were a carry over from my totalled Protege5, which I bought 2 sets which was amazing for the Mazda.

My reasoning for H rated, besides cornering grip in the dry, is braking in the dry. Other lower speed rated winters I've driven give squirrelly braking feel, and longer dry braking distances.

 

There is someone local selling a set of "15-inch, 4 X 100 Bolt Pattern 6 inches wide from a 2004 Honda Civic Sedan. I might be able to save a decent amount of money on the wheels and just buy tires.

What more would I need to know if they would fit?

If these do fit, I assume the OEM lugs will work?

I found a wheel fitment site. It seems the offset is different between the 2015 Fit and 2004 Civic, but the 15x6 steel wheels on Tire Rack have a 45 offset anyways.

Thanks from a wheel buying noob.

 

They should fit great. Hub bore is the same and +45 offset is fine as well. I'd run them. I'd guess they use the same ball seat lug nuts, but can't confirm.

 

Thanks for all great advice in this thread on winter tires and rims. Right now I am trying to decide between 2 different steel options for our 2017 Fit LX, and I am looking for some advice. I am trying to decide between either 15x6 ( 2001-2004 Civic) and 15x5.5 (2010-2014 Fit) . The cost is the about the same. I know the 15x5.5 will be a little lighter and based on my research using Rim & Tire Size Calculator the only difference I can see between them would be the weight and the section width. From what I understand the tread width would stay the same. Anyone have any advice or experience where one rim would be better or different than the other? The tires I have narrowed down the tires to Michelin X-Ice3 or Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 in 185/60R15 ~~~ Thanks Dave

 

Thanks everyone for the info and help.

I ended up buying the 185/65 Michelin X-Ice on new 15" steel wheels from Discount Tire.

They had a sale over Thanksgiving weekend with rebates that totaled $320.00. I spent $372.30 installed out the door. No snow here yet, but they feel much better than the stock Firestones.

 

I went with 185/70/14s for my 2016 fit EX. Seem to be working out really well. Was able to put my stock stuff in the garage for the winter. Getting pretty good handling as well.