Do I have to get snow tires? I live in Western NC and we get occasional snows here. Will it hurt my wheels or original tires to just have the tires switched out? I can't afford new rims. I wonder if my fit will do all right with the original all-season tires....???

 

if your area only gets an inch or less you should be okay with slow driving. if you get more than 2" you will have difficulty in snow unless your snow trucks are very efficient and salt down the roads effectively.

your tires and wheels can handle snow and some road salt but best to wash them off when you can.

 

I could be in trouble. then! Is it bad for the tires or the wheels to switch tires back and forth?

 

I live in a suburb of Chicago.

The first winter after I bought it was last year's nasty blizzard... they say it was the 3rd worst blizzard in all of Chicago's history... I don't doubt it.

Chicago and the burbs do get pretty routine plowing with salt in many villages too. But I drove the second night where plenty of it fell and caused a whiteout (where you can't see more than a few feet in front of you). At stock height, I could hear the snow scraping the bottom of the car.

And yet, I was still pushing harder/faster than most people out there in their larger vehicles. I actually had trouble if I came to a stop and the road hadn't been dug through in front of me. I would have to back up and get a running start on the clearing I made to plow through the uncleared snow (though, really, I only did that once). There was another point where I had a different kind of trouble... I was making a slow turn, but couldn't tell where the lanes were!

I have no idea how my Fit is going to handle now... that I have wider tires AND its lowered. I'm a glutton for punishment.

Maybe I'll get narrower winter tires on my OE wheels... hum.

But no, it's not bad to switch between tire sets... unless you have a tendency to over-torque your lug nuts.

 

I drove my Fit for one winter on the stock tires and one winter on winter tires. The stock tires are decent in light snow, but I agree with kenchan that if you have 2" of snow on the road (not 2" of snow at once, but 2" on the road) consistently, then you should probably get winter tires.

Then again, I don't find the Fit too much worse than any other FWD car. I thought it did better stopping in light snow than my friend's Accord, for example. So I would say, if nobody in your area runs winter tires, then you probably don't need to get them.

 

Were you using snow tires?

 

Performance of the stock all season Bridgestone Turanza was fine for me in Chicago for 2 winters. Drove it like I would think most people would with any other car during bad road conditions--slower and more reasonable. However, this is in fairly flat terrain and I have no idea how they would fair in terrain with more hills.

Have you looked into a set of cheap 15" steel rims? They're dirt cheap compared to aftermarket alloys.

 

sorry for the delayed response.

but no, I wasn't using snow tires... in fact, I've never used snow tires. I'm not saying i've never had incidents, but after a bit of getting used to (where the limits are), I'm fine with all-seasons.

 

I've thought about getting a second set of wheels, but then I'd have to deal with TPMS. I can't afford wheels anyway---tires will be hard enough!
We have plenty of hills here, and plenty of people in SUVs who think they can drive at a normal speed when the roads are slick. Welcome to WNC!

 

I'm also in WNC and looking at rims and studded snows myself. Wouldn't drive around here w/o them. I have always found a set with rims to switch back and forth worth it, but if you have to make due it should work. Around here with the hills, turns and lack of road clearing I think the extra security of good tires helps. Don't know about you, but I don't have the luxury to sleep in every time the schools close or have a delay. Would be nice.

 

I have to get to work to----the hospital says so! My tires are brand new, so I'm thinking they might be okay for the first winter---what do you think? Right now, they have less than a thousand miles on them. I doubt I can spring for snows this winter. When I do, I won't be able to get wheels---I'll just get the tires switched, probably at Jan Davis. That way I can save money, plus not have to deal with the TPMS. Do you have a Base or a Sport? There are many choices in the Base size, but I'll probably get Blizzaks when the time comes. Hoping for an easy winter!

 

Heads up on winter tires: You won't find many in the exact stock size.

On my '09 Base, I ended up going with 185/60-15 winter tires; they're so close to the stock diameter that it's hardly worth mentioning the difference. Will probably go with the same size when it's time to replace the OEM originals.

 

You don't think that'll mess up the odometer?

 

As I said -- the difference is very slight: If you're going 60MPH on the 175/65-15 OEMs, you'll be doing 59.5MPH at the same RPMs on 185/60-15s.

That's 1 percent difference. Not enough for me to worry about!

 

I have a 2012 Fit Sport. I'll probably go through Tire Rack online. I have a set of 185/60-15 winter tires w/ studs on rims if they will fit yours. The snow tires are in great condition. Some of the studs are worn down since I drove them Nov-March and most of it was on dry roads.

 

About the only tires you can find in the Fit Sport alloy wheel size are Blizzaks-which I got a set of. I change them out in the spring. I drive in Cleveland winters about 90% freeway and I figure they're worth it.

 

I have the Blizzaks on my stock 09 rims, there Awesome snow tires!! I drive back and forth to work (Chicago from Indiana) .. The tires increase stopping power and do not slide around like all season tires do.. there a must have if you do a lot of winter driving.

 

I agree with most; get snow tires if you use them in snow much. I couldn't stand the OEM Dunlop all-season. After I got the snow tires, I couldn't believe the difference... the car goes great in snow with snow tires. They are a trouble changing them over on the same rims because you will have to do it twice a year.... TPMS sensors can be damaged during the change-overs.