.... sigh... Time to purchase some snow tires. Do you guys buy just the 2 front snow tires or 4 snow tires? I have to admit that the Honda Fit is terrible in snow and this is due to my experience of getting stucked about 3 times last winter storm. The Fit is too light to ride on thick snow.

 

do all four, otherwise you can end up in spin outs.

i got my set for my GD last week (per my blog) from Alex at www.tirerack.com get it now and get a $50 gift card from american express:

Blizzak WS60 + black steelies. $630 shipped. not bad at all!!!! i use the WS60 on my GE and it's a very nice setup in the deep snow. it drives like a AWD car.

 

oh yah, just a note... most tire places will only stock a certain number of steelies ($50 each) so make sure you order soon.

last year i waited too long and the steelies were all sold out.

15x6 black steel wheels (steelies)
195/55/15 WS60 is wat i got.

 

Thanks Ken, I will definitely check it out.

 

Are studded tires an option in your area?

 

Reading this reminds me of why I love Miami fl

 

I actually just received my order of snow tires from Tire Rack too. I got 4 Continental ExtremeWinterContact (195/60R15) ($74 each) mounted and balanced on 4 steel wheels ($49 each). The Continental tires have the same $50 rebate as the Blizzaks, are cheaper, and were rated #1 in the most recent tire rack tests: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=135. I have a GE8 by the way, I think the GD uses a different size tire...

I also spent another almost $300 to get TPMS sensors and the reset tool, though there's some debate as to whether it's really that necessary or not.

Tire Rack is pretty good about recommending tire sizes that are close to OEM, but you should check using a tire size calculator that the whatever tire size you pick won't through off your odometer/speedometer too much: Tire size calculator

Using just 2 snow tires is pretty dangerous -- here's an example of what happens with 2 snow tires in the front and 2 all season tires in the rear (starts around 1:30): YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 5 of 6

 

I have no idea. I'll check that out later.

 

Thanks man I was just about to ask about the TPMS but I guess my question has been answered and I will have to buy those TPMS too.

 

lol... good luck with hurricanes and hot humid sticky weather.

 

black- i dont use TPMS in either one of the snow tiresets. it's not worth the trouble or price, imho. just check your psi every 2-3wks.

 

The TPMS issue is kind of tricky. I went with it because 1) my car has VSA, which is stuck on when there's no TPMS sensors, thereby causing a problem if you need to spin the wheels to get unstuck, and 2) there was this thread (https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...-quickset.html) where the OP spoke with his insurance company and they *might* give you problems if they find the TPMS wasn't operational, though I think that could only happen if they find an accident was caused by a tire with low pressure... probably...

On the other hand, a lot of people just live with the TPMS light and don't worry about it. After all, you still have winter tires, which should make you safer than a lot of people on the road.

 

Lived here 29 years. Andrew knocked power out for 1 week, the other few that have passed through don't even do much. A blizzard is much worse. Humidity is solved with a cold piña colada

 

4 winter tires are a must. Here are some really informative videos about winter tires:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P03wqClnq-0
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX1Um...eature=related
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKw3H...eature=related
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFYXO...eature=related
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdtAm...eature=related
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDJd...eature=related

Share your opinion!

 

Thanks man. I've seen those videos before and they make a lot of sense.

 

Besides running out of Steelies if you want them, last year I also was unable to order winter tires for my Jaguar VDP S/C, which like the Fit has an odd tire size. They had them now, but I figured I would order them closer to when I was going to put them on, but they were out of stock and never came back in stock.

This year I sold the AWD Subaru, so I do not have a backup, so I ordered the snow tires now, although I won't put them on the cars until next month or early December, just to make sure I have them.

I ordered the Blizzak WS60's in the 185/55 16 size, and will put them on my Sport Wheels.

In the spring I will likely buy other wheels and tires. I am looking at the Orange sensors, but haven't been able to purchase them yet.
Orange Electronic TPMS USA - Tire Pressure Monitoring System

 

I recommend that people consider the conditions they're likely to encounter in winter. There is a big difference between a Blizzak WS-60 and a Blizzak LM-25. The WS-60 is going to be better for folks who drive on snow- and ice-covered roads frequently, while the LM-25 may be a better choice for folks who will see mostly slush and cold roads. I use LM-25's on my cars. They provide very good ice and snow traction, and they aren't squishy or squirmy on dry roads. YMMV.

 

At Tirerack, I only see 18" and up sizes...
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25

Actually in the Blizzak LM-25 RFT
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....zzak+LM-25+RFT

I see a 205/55R16 that is 1 inch bigger than the stock in overall diameter.

 

just get the WS60's. they are good not only on snow but also on ice, slush, rain, and even dry roads with dried up salt.

 

I got four Michelin X-Ice on steelies, but it still tends to float on even moderate snowfalls (perhaps, as the name implies, its performance is designed more for icy roads than snowy ones). I shudder to think how bad it would be with all-seasons.