Winter Handling Improvement - Add Weight in Passenger Footwells?
 

This winter is looking pretty nasty and I'm thinking of ways to improve my 2016 LX Fit's winter handling. I already installed snow tires on all 4 wheels. I'm think adding more weight would help, so I'm considering adding a few (~350 lbs worth) of sandbags.

Since the Fit is a front wheel drive car, adding the weight in the hatchback area isn't helping anything. I rarely have passengers in the back, so I'm considering flipping up the Magic Seats® and putting the sandbags in the passenger footwells.

Any thoughts on this? I think the added weight in the bottom-center of the vehicle will improve traction in deep snow and improve control on windy, snowy roads.

I'm not sure but I don't think that will help much. I think snow tires are a great idea, and you should notice a big difference in handling from just those alone.

Did you have the car last winter, and if so what was disappointing with the winter handling?

Adding weight won't help traction any noticeable amount. It might help keep the back from breaking loose if it's towards the back, but at least with my Fit that doesn't seem to be a big problem. It won't help with braking. I agree with The Fitness that snow tires alone will probably give you a very noticeable improvement.

In general, the electronic nannies seem to me to do a pretty decent job of keeping things nicely under control. Sometimes it's even too good of a job, but that's another matter.

I've spent five winters in various Fits. I've never been stuck & this is my first winter on snows. Not sure why you think you need more weight. I just drove through a pretty solid snow storm without issue, just adjust driving for the conditions.

Snows should do the trick. I have Blizzaks on mine, the only problem I have in snow is if it's deep enough to grab the underbody...so I carry a folding shovel. Avoid weight in the rear, could cause oversteer and donutting.

I put the rear seats in the up position so most of the weight of the seats are centered over the rear wheels . Use General Altimax Arctic for both FITS . The 185/60-15s' can be purchased for under $65 each . There's usually a $50 rebate in late summer ( http://generaltire.com/promotions ) to bring down the cost .