The Official Blog from GD to GE to GK to GTI to R?
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
so it's sort of coming up to that time of year when i need to start
thinking about tires for winter... bascially i got two choices, but neither
is ideal. i may need to include a 3rd choice...
choice#1:
use the ziex912's (195/50/15) as-is on the drag wheels. looks good,
but grips like crap in the cold. anything under 40F the tires turn into
hard plastic. each time i drive normally off the line the tires slip...
tires slips miserably when roads are wet especially in the snow. im not
sure where falken got the idea that they are "all season" tires. maybe
all season in LA.
choice#2:
use snow tires either 14's or 15's. i know there are 195/55/15 snow tires...
but personally i think the car looks better with 195/50/15's. and 14's
imho dont look good at all especially in that 175/65's or something size.
im going to run the FitS in the winter as both dd and weekend fun car...
so i want it to look good and perform well enough that i can motor it
on the weekends. snow tires work great but not all weekends are wet.
snow tires wear like a pink eraser on dry concrete.
some thing to think about...
thinking about tires for winter... bascially i got two choices, but neither
is ideal. i may need to include a 3rd choice...
choice#1:
use the ziex912's (195/50/15) as-is on the drag wheels. looks good,
but grips like crap in the cold. anything under 40F the tires turn into
hard plastic. each time i drive normally off the line the tires slip...
tires slips miserably when roads are wet especially in the snow. im not
sure where falken got the idea that they are "all season" tires. maybe
all season in LA.
choice#2:
use snow tires either 14's or 15's. i know there are 195/55/15 snow tires...
but personally i think the car looks better with 195/50/15's. and 14's
imho dont look good at all especially in that 175/65's or something size.
im going to run the FitS in the winter as both dd and weekend fun car...
so i want it to look good and perform well enough that i can motor it
on the weekends. snow tires work great but not all weekends are wet.
snow tires wear like a pink eraser on dry concrete.

some thing to think about...
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
yah, TOOL, kyle im thinking im going to see how well i can get through the
first half of winter (up to about dec) as-is and will see if i need to
ask santa for new tires or not at that point.
i should check the treadwear on my current set too. i rotated it
once at 5k miles and it had barely any wear, but in the warmer months
might be a different story. im at about 8k miles on the odo.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
so i sliced my right pointing finger on my folding umbrella on the way
home from the office today... 'sliced' might be a light word cause the
metal piece cut into my finger about 1/2" and blood started dripping
down my hand pretty fast.
i had to rush back to the office
in the pouring rain to get some 1st aid.
i put pressure on my finger a good 3-4min to slow the bleeding.
i managed to bandage the finger twice over so that i could keep pressure
on it and hoping that it would glue itself back together since the cut
was pretty damn deep.
the point of this story is, i had to drive like this in the rain in rush hour
traffic. the FitS just performed effortlessly even with my injured hand
and i could make it back home without any further incident. not only
that, i had a bad headache and just stressed out from work.
the MT on the car is that easy to operate.
hoping my finger is back together by tomorrow so i can take my FitS
out for a nice spin in the rain.
home from the office today... 'sliced' might be a light word cause the
metal piece cut into my finger about 1/2" and blood started dripping
down my hand pretty fast.
i had to rush back to the officein the pouring rain to get some 1st aid.
i put pressure on my finger a good 3-4min to slow the bleeding.
i managed to bandage the finger twice over so that i could keep pressure
on it and hoping that it would glue itself back together since the cut
was pretty damn deep.
the point of this story is, i had to drive like this in the rain in rush hour
traffic. the FitS just performed effortlessly even with my injured hand
and i could make it back home without any further incident. not only
that, i had a bad headache and just stressed out from work.
the MT on the car is that easy to operate.
hoping my finger is back together by tomorrow so i can take my FitS
out for a nice spin in the rain.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
oh yah... which reminds me.
get one of these in your trunk. it's cheap (less than $10) and effective.
if it wasn't for all the rain, i have one just like this in the FitS and would've
just used that. mine was like $6 at Target.
if you have a small container, keep some rubbing alcohol too.
get one of these in your trunk. it's cheap (less than $10) and effective.
if it wasn't for all the rain, i have one just like this in the FitS and would've
just used that. mine was like $6 at Target.
if you have a small container, keep some rubbing alcohol too.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
good news is that i kept enough pressure on the wound last night
and it appears the cut attached itself back together.
there was no bleeding this am so reinforced it with a coat of
superglue.
gonna go motoring in my FitS since it's a rainy day today.
looks like no motoring my G or MINI this weekend...
and it appears the cut attached itself back together.
there was no bleeding this am so reinforced it with a coat of
superglue.
gonna go motoring in my FitS since it's a rainy day today.
looks like no motoring my G or MINI this weekend...
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
man was it pouring rain this am in chicago burbs.
i went motoring
regardless
and it was fun. FitS did real well, very nice handling
through the exit ramps, etc. confidence inspiring ride and feedback
especially with the EnduraTech's. The tires could use a tad more
grip (ziex912's) but since it was 70F it did pretty well. i didnt push the
car too hard cause i didnt feel like dealing with crashing into a tree.
several major roads were blocked due to flooding and had to detour
a few times. i just got tired of the creeping traffic and just took the
expressway home.
i wish those shit folks in pos cars would get off their damn celphones
while merging at detours.
other then that, it was a nice drive.
typically i go motoring earlier like starting 6:30am - 7am and today it
was past 8am so more annoying folks on the road.
tomorrow im definitely leaving before 7am.
i went motoringregardless
and it was fun. FitS did real well, very nice handlingthrough the exit ramps, etc. confidence inspiring ride and feedback
especially with the EnduraTech's. The tires could use a tad more
grip (ziex912's) but since it was 70F it did pretty well. i didnt push the
car too hard cause i didnt feel like dealing with crashing into a tree.
several major roads were blocked due to flooding and had to detour
a few times. i just got tired of the creeping traffic and just took the
expressway home.
i wish those shit folks in pos cars would get off their damn celphones
while merging at detours.
other then that, it was a nice drive.typically i go motoring earlier like starting 6:30am - 7am and today it
was past 8am so more annoying folks on the road.
tomorrow im definitely leaving before 7am.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
i have to say the texture they used on the FitS's plastic interior panels
is a nice touch.
it not only looks sporty (kinda like a carbonfiber-ish look), any water
droplets from rain will not leave an obvious mark.
i use Prima Nero to clean the panels but Aerospace 303 will do well too.
Nero is a tad more matte finish than Aero303.
use it on your door panels where people tend to accidentally kick it.
you'll notice that marks dont usually get left behind.
i some times
accidentally kick my door panel while getting in the car. no marks
wat so ever.
easy to use. i use it dilluted 50/50 with distilled
water.

get it directly from Detailers Pardise or through amazon.
Detailers Paradise: Premium Car Care Products, Auto Detailing
Amazon.com: Prima Nero: Vinyl, Rubber & Plastic Dressing: Automotive
works great with pretty much any short thread MF towel.
is a nice touch.
it not only looks sporty (kinda like a carbonfiber-ish look), any water
droplets from rain will not leave an obvious mark.
i use Prima Nero to clean the panels but Aerospace 303 will do well too.
Nero is a tad more matte finish than Aero303.
use it on your door panels where people tend to accidentally kick it.
you'll notice that marks dont usually get left behind.
i some timesaccidentally kick my door panel while getting in the car. no marks
wat so ever.
easy to use. i use it dilluted 50/50 with distilledwater.

get it directly from Detailers Pardise or through amazon.
Detailers Paradise: Premium Car Care Products, Auto Detailing
Amazon.com: Prima Nero: Vinyl, Rubber & Plastic Dressing: Automotive
works great with pretty much any short thread MF towel.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
tad OT again, but i heard from my wife that my Legacy started its
misfires again while going to the supermarket in the rain.
why is
my subaru such a pos? it almost seems like ever since the 30K
inspection at the dealer earlier this Spring things started to go
downhill from there.
anyway, warranty's going to expire in Oct so we're thinking about taking
the plunge on a new Odyesse. yah, we had been thinking about the 09
FitS, but we can really use the extra features on the minivan, and
the extra passenger space. my FitS will stay put, ofcourse.
going to pull out my FitS again this am for some motoring in the rain.
misfires again while going to the supermarket in the rain.
why ismy subaru such a pos? it almost seems like ever since the 30K
inspection at the dealer earlier this Spring things started to go
downhill from there.
anyway, warranty's going to expire in Oct so we're thinking about taking
the plunge on a new Odyesse. yah, we had been thinking about the 09
FitS, but we can really use the extra features on the minivan, and
the extra passenger space. my FitS will stay put, ofcourse.
going to pull out my FitS again this am for some motoring in the rain.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
hey, spotted the first 09 Fit Sport!
it was silver. looked good.
in other news...
was cruising down the soaked expressway and suddenly noticed
my engine RPM and speedo jump up with no change in speed.
the car was hydroplaning for a good 3-4sec. i gently let off on the
throttle to maintain a constant RPM in the same gear and just waited
for the tires to catch.
there was absolutely no direction change or any sense of scare..the
car just projected straight as if nothing happened.
just tells you
how well the car is corner balanced.
it was silver. looked good.in other news...
was cruising down the soaked expressway and suddenly noticed
my engine RPM and speedo jump up with no change in speed.
the car was hydroplaning for a good 3-4sec. i gently let off on the
throttle to maintain a constant RPM in the same gear and just waited
for the tires to catch.
there was absolutely no direction change or any sense of scare..the
car just projected straight as if nothing happened.
just tells youhow well the car is corner balanced.
tad OT again, but i heard from my wife that my Legacy started its
misfires again while going to the supermarket in the rain.
why is
my subaru such a pos? it almost seems like ever since the 30K
inspection at the dealer earlier this Spring things started to go
downhill from there.
anyway, warranty's going to expire in Oct so we're thinking about taking
the plunge on a new Odyesse. yah, we had been thinking about the 09
FitS, but we can really use the extra features on the minivan, and
the extra passenger space. my FitS will stay put, ofcourse.
going to pull out my FitS again this am for some motoring in the rain.
misfires again while going to the supermarket in the rain.
why ismy subaru such a pos? it almost seems like ever since the 30K
inspection at the dealer earlier this Spring things started to go
downhill from there.
anyway, warranty's going to expire in Oct so we're thinking about taking
the plunge on a new Odyesse. yah, we had been thinking about the 09
FitS, but we can really use the extra features on the minivan, and
the extra passenger space. my FitS will stay put, ofcourse.
going to pull out my FitS again this am for some motoring in the rain.

New Oddyesse are NICE!
They have great interior, keep us posted.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
interior.
going to probably get the EX-L. i might get largerwheels for it though.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
man... was over at edmunds checking out other minivans in the same
price range as the Odysse.
looking at other minivans gives me a headache.
they are all
so frikken boring (like shopping for a washer/dryer) i want to kill myself
after 5min.
it's like who the f- cares. just get the
damn appliance and move on.
but the Odysse to me is like choosing a lux sedan.
i might just
go for the Touring trim now that i looked at Honda's webpage more
thoroughly.
price range as the Odysse.
looking at other minivans gives me a headache.
they are allso frikken boring (like shopping for a washer/dryer) i want to kill myself
after 5min.
it's like who the f- cares. just get the damn appliance and move on.
but the Odysse to me is like choosing a lux sedan.
i might justgo for the Touring trim now that i looked at Honda's webpage more
thoroughly.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,288
From: OG Club
so i got up early this am like i usually do to go motoring in my cooper-s
during the weekdays before work.
i walk out to my FitS and notice this...

another angle from the back... you can see my cooper-s still on the charger.

WTH
i tried remembering where the hell i did this.... and i remebered
during the drive yesterday in the woods, i heard a loud POP! and wasnt
sure where it came from. i went over some fallen branches but it they
didnt look big at all. it must have kicked up inside the fender liner and
coincidentally pushed the bumper outwards.
anyway, i raised the car to check the underside. the damage only
appears to be that one part of the bumper.
so, i removed the
one phillips screw at the corner of the bumper cover and survey'ed the
damage. obviously the hole for screw is cracked, but it wasn't severed.
the paint at the corner of the bumper was also slightly cracked.
so, i carefully cut off the paint that was flaking off and covered it with
some 3M clearbra excess i had.
then pushed the bumper back into its
slot and tightened the phillips screws. no biggie. can't tell it was
damaged.
but that wasn't all...
(full of surprises this Monday am...)
there was another issue this time inside the car... i dont know wtf i was
thinking. i must be getting too old and cant remember things.
i left the window cracked open IN THE RAIN.
but, with the
mugen visors there was no water stains or droplets to be found.
but i did find a moth sleeping inside my car...

those Mugen visors are kick arse!
now off to work!
during the weekdays before work.
i walk out to my FitS and notice this...

another angle from the back... you can see my cooper-s still on the charger.

WTH
i tried remembering where the hell i did this.... and i remeberedduring the drive yesterday in the woods, i heard a loud POP! and wasnt
sure where it came from. i went over some fallen branches but it they
didnt look big at all. it must have kicked up inside the fender liner and
coincidentally pushed the bumper outwards.
anyway, i raised the car to check the underside. the damage only
appears to be that one part of the bumper.
so, i removed theone phillips screw at the corner of the bumper cover and survey'ed the
damage. obviously the hole for screw is cracked, but it wasn't severed.
the paint at the corner of the bumper was also slightly cracked.
so, i carefully cut off the paint that was flaking off and covered it with
some 3M clearbra excess i had.
then pushed the bumper back into itsslot and tightened the phillips screws. no biggie. can't tell it was
damaged.
but that wasn't all...
(full of surprises this Monday am...)there was another issue this time inside the car... i dont know wtf i was
thinking. i must be getting too old and cant remember things.
i left the window cracked open IN THE RAIN.
but, with themugen visors there was no water stains or droplets to be found.
but i did find a moth sleeping inside my car...

those Mugen visors are kick arse!
now off to work!
Last edited by kenchan; Sep 15, 2008 at 08:53 AM.
I did the same thing with my wife's Fit. I left the front two windows cracked while I was in a sales meeting. All of the sudden heard a serious downpour. I'm talking rain blowing sideways. I thought "the wife is going to KILL me!" But, not a drop got in the car. The Mugen visors ROCK!


