I posted this on honda-tech, but figured that this is a much more active board:

I will assume that the 09+ Fit's have two TPMS warning lights (like every other newer Honda):

1) Icon of a tire! showing that a tire is low
2) 'TPMS' light

1 = low air pressure; 2 = TPMS failure (sensors bad/missing).

I believe VSA (traction control) *cannot* be disabled when light #1 is on. However, if light #2 is on, can VSA be disabled (upon further research, this seems to be a no)?

I ask because I want to run snow tires and I don't want to shell out the extra $200 for TPMS sensors, but I do want to be able to disable VSA. I can live with the orange "TPMS" light for a few months.

Anyone had any experience with this to see if there is a cure or just a "you're screwed" answer. If I'm screwed, I wonder how bad it will be to run snow tires withouth being able to disable VSA. I was worried in case I get somewhat stuck and need the wheelspin.

 

nope, if "TPMS" light is on, you CAN'T disable VSA... simply because if VSA can't tell the pressure, why would it be any "better" than a low pressure signal? for any program... not knowing automatically becomes the worse option (ie, same as low pressure).

your options are:

1) don't swap out the wheels.

2) don't get stuck

3) swap the TPMS to the other set wheels each time

4) give each set of wheels, their own set of TPMS modules and have a dealer program them into the ECU each time

5) get something like the ATEQ quickset and do #4 yourself. assuming the quickset does indeed work for the Fit (some say it does, a few say it doesn't).

 

I suppose I could always run without TPMS, then if I get stuck in the snow I can pull the VSA fuse.

I know on my Ridgeline it is beneficial to turn off VSA in snowy weather in certain situations. I'm not sure about a FWD car with VSA as my only experience has been with FWD cars without VSA on snow tires (and that always worked fine).

 

My brother has an '08 Si, the VSA sucks in the snow.

 

On snow-tires or all-seasons? I'd expect VSA and all-season tires to kinda suck, but with actual snow tires I'd think it wouldn't be as bad.

 

All-season tires, it's really only a pain when you're taking off though.