What are people using for snow tires on thier Fits? We usually get ~20 inches of snow over a given winter (last year we had over 60 inches, but that is unusual). I drive a lot for work, and not driving due to snow is usually not an option.

What brand and tire size works best. I commute into MD, so I can't use studded tires.

Zach

 

You should try doing a search in these forums and taking a look in the wheels forum. This has been discussed lots and there is a plethora of information available!

 

Yep, also check Tirerack.com, they have a few options for the Fit. http://www.tirerack.com/index_w.jsp

Ultimately it would be nice to pick up a cheap set of 15x6 4x100 steel wheels wrapped in 175/65/15 snow tires like the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 or Michelin X Ice. The stock Fit Sport size is 185/55 R16, offset 53 mm, 4x100 bolt pattern.

Tire size calculator: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

Snow tire comparison tests: http://www.tirerack.com/winter/wintertesting.jsp

 

I just put 175/65/R15 Michelin X Ice winter tires on my Fit Sport

It hasn't snowed yet though, so I have no idea how they'll work

 

Do you mean R16? (stock Fit sport size) or did you swap out your wheels too?

 

No. And, yes, I know the stock is R16. I called Honda beforehand and asked what size winter tires I should get for a 2010 Fit Sport and that is what I was told to get.

 

Yes, I bought new rims for my winter tires. There is no way I'm going to risk ruining my tires by taking them off the rims every season. Plus, it would just be a pain in the ass to bother with that. So much easier to just buy the rims.

 

175 65 15 michelin x ice Xi2s
they are top all around snow/ice tires.
thats what honda dealerships are installing on the 09 and up fit and fit sport

 

Hey Neighbor,

I used to drive to Maryland 42 miles from York partly by route 83. I have an 09 Fit Sport with 195/55/16 Michelin Ice X II's. I have had them 2 seasons and I love them. Very good on wet roads. Only complaint is a bit noisey in the wet. Sounds like a loud hissing noise. Great on that packed icy snow of 83. Now I travel route 30 E to Lancaster. Got me in my un-plowed condo complex when we had the start of the super storm of last year. Had a least 9" and plowed right through. Snow was light and powdery,but a wet heavy snow I would have been sunk,maybe?? Just had them put on. I lost about 1/32" of tread every season,so get them off when it hits 50{average daily temperature} outside because they get softer when warmer,and wear faster. If you ever see a Milano red Fit with a Topsail Island, SC sticker on the rear window,wave Hi.

PaFitter

 

We have Bridgestone Blizzak LM25's in 185/55-16. They'll be seeing their second winter this year, on brand-new Momo Winter 2 wheels. The whole setup ran us about $800 or so. Pricey, and worth it for the traction in the snow and cold.

 

I'll keep an eye out for you! Reading your commutes, I thought you were a freind of mine until you said your car was Red and not Silver. ;-)

The run down 83 is my daily gig. Exit 10 in PA down I83 to Cold Spring in Baltimore. I'll look into getting the Michelins. Do people bother putting in the expensive valve stems, or just live with the idiot light all winter?

Zach

 

What do you all do about the TPMS when you put on the snow tires?

 

I'm always on top of my tire pressures anyway, so I live with the TPMS light all winter. No way was I spending as much on TPMS sensors as I spent on my entire wheel/tire setup.

 

You'll usually have to buy TPMS sensors (30/piece or something like that) to go with your tires. I'm not sure if local tire places will sell you the tires WITHOUT TPMS if that's how you want to go (for 'safety' reasons).

 

Wow, prices on TPMS have definitely come down since I was shopping for winter tires for my 2007 Mazda 3s several years ago. $144 at Tirerack for all 4 installed - not horrible, though still wouldn't have bothered with my budget winter tire setup (less than $300 for new Yokohama IG20's mounted and balanced, including Del Sol 14" alloys).

 

TireRack does not care. Neither does the local independent shops around me. They just tell you that you will have the idiot light on if you don't opt for the special bits. In PA that MAY fail you at inspection if you have your winter wheels on at inspection time. I don't know about other states.

Zach

 

To me, TPMS is a bonus and nothing more. I did fine even before they started putting those sensors on. Even those things fail.
What ever happened to being one with the car? LOL

 

Stock 185/55/16 are not common on the market and prices are high. For test purpose, since two weeks, i am running on 205/55/16 Michelin Alpine which were winter tires of my ex-civic.
First of all, let me clarify. They do not rub, unless you drive on flat smooth roads, cornering etc. Only once, fronts rubbed on the back of the metal drum when i was driving down steep and suddenly got into a whole.
I have not yet tested how it would be if luggage full/all the passangers on board.
I commute home-work alone, and it is ok. so far.

How does it feel? Not so good. Just the same feeling when you change your sneakers
with a pair of heavy snow boots. Steering wheel is heavier and brake pedal stiffer. I hope i'll soon get used to it. Or, simply quit testing

 

Black tape... or light on all the time. If you don't want to spend the extra... don't forget, it's not just about buying TPMS sensors, they need to be calibrated to the car so a trip to the dealer or a "quickset" tool is also necessary...

... Black tape

Most places will mount and balance tires without TPMS if the wheels are not mounted on the car. for Example, If you bring in wheels and request a set of tires be installed, they have no idea what car they are going on (if you don't tell them) so they don't care about tpms. The invoice usually says... XXXXXXXX tires mounted on Customer Supplied rims.

85mph down the road when your tire goes out... you'll be one with the car

~SB