I'm hoping someone will chime in that has experience driving these cars in foul weather (ice, snow, etc). How well do they get around?

Thanks.

 

Have you never driven a small, light, fwd car in foul weather? Assuming you haven't, it can be a real revelation. They get around surprisingly well. Although, in NE with this car, you might want to be careful of the crosswind/icy road combination. That could be a bit dicey. Get a set (all 4) of relatively skinny, tall, dedicated snow tires, and have fun. Don't forget to use the emergency brake for lock-up tailslides just like the WRC guys do. Have fun.

 

My experience from Protege's, Sentra's, Micra's, Civics in the winter where snow falls..., is this. (as previously mentioned.)

*Invest in smallest Winter Steelies that will clear your calipers for your car. (14")

*Invest in the smallest Dedicated WinterTire Footprint & Highest Profile that will not throw off your speedometer greatly.

*MT is your best option

*Practise and know how your car handles and feels when the ABS kicks in with panic stops.

*Practise thresh-hold braking also combined with panic stopping when the ABS kicks in.

*Learn and practise to kick out your tailfeather end with the handbrake and get comfortable with it.

*Learn and practise to accelerate smoothly in-general.

Do most of these prementioned things in remote parking lots of schools or industrial areas after a fresh snowfall.

 

Oh come on Demon, are we supposed to accept that you know
anything about winter driving !

 

Toronto and Buffalo makes us somewhat of the Sheriff's in-town when it comes on to winter driving eh! I commute from my igloo to your igloo even if it is to watch the Sabres when my Leafs have fallen flat.

My old car club used to have winter rally's and slalom session time attacks and it was fun as hell.

I hear a bell...,it must be my ice fishing line.

 

I've driven the QEW in some scarry $hit, I have family in Stoney Creek.
I'm also a member of the Ontario MR2 club, good guys up there!!!

How'd you like that Philly b-slap yesterday?

I saw a great sticker yesterday
(TO Maple Leaves 2004-2005 "A Perfect Season")

Winter rally's have to be increible fun!

 

ehehehe. Go Sabres ;-) And I'm originally from Pennsylvania...so you'de think I'd be cheering on the Flyers....but being a Steelers fan it would be sacraligious for me to cheer for anyone from Philly...anyhow..

I haven't done a ton of winter driving, except for a few interesting trips up the highway between PA and Ontario...I've always had big SUV's so I'm a little nervous of the upcoming winter. But at least I'll have all summer to get used to my lil' Fit :-)

 

Don't you just love it when southern states get snow or flash freeze conditions and it is a National emergency? CNN hovers over multiple pile-ups in the Carolina's or Tennesee and we chuckle up here.

 

Just a note that 155/80R13 are inexpensive, widely available, and have the same rolling radius as the stock Fit tires.

 

Studded tires! When I lived in Sweden, my Opel Corsa was equipped with studded tires and man was that a hoot to drive. FWD, light weight and careful control of the e-brake lever and lookout, WRC wannabe on board!

 

will the 13" clear the brakes?

Also, take a look at Hakkapeliitta tires - I've run these in the past and I had a guy comment one time, "Those aren't tires, those look like TEETH!!"

 

I know about winter driving all too well. I've been driving in the midwest for 15 yrs now. However, I was just wondering if anyone knew how the Fit/Jazz specifically got around in snow/ice. I'm fully aware of how to drive in foul weather and what tires to get for said driving. Hopefully some current or previous owners can reply. Thanks.

 

I don't know; I'll try it if/when I get one. If not, you're stuck with 175/65R14 (the stock size), which would suck.

 

That question pretty much sums it up in-general. There is no real divine revelation from one small, light, fwd car to another in winter weather or foul conditions.

Sorry, I assumed you may not have ever driven a car simular to this. Maybe if you may want Jazz/Fit specific member from around the globe who endure winters to give you a first hand account.