Hey all. Became the owner of a 2009 Fit Sport this past week after having an unfortunate accident with my 2007 Corolla. I liked the Corolla well enough, but wanted to change it up a bit

What I want to know is: is there something actually WRONG with the OEM size, or do people go to sizes like 205/50/16 mostly because they're easier to find?

I am sure this question has been beaten to death, but I have to ask it here anyway because sifting through threads has proven fruitless. I found these forums via Google when I was researching what kind of snow tires to buy for my car (they still have the stock tires on them) since I am moving from Maryland to upstate NY in a few weeks. I deliberately chose NOT to go to a smaller wheel for winter due to a tight budget.

I ended up thinking these would be the best:
Bridgestone Blizzak WS60

Come March or April I will be ordering a different set of all-seasons, most likely The Continental Extreme Contact DWS.
Continental ExtremeContact DWS

Thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

 

The way I understand it, winter tires shouldn't be wide, but it's not like 205 is wide. I think what Honda did was consider what is best all-around, leaning a little heavier on fuel efficiency. Going to a 205 will decrease the MPGs a bit, but it won't be severe, and it might not be terribly noticeable. Not that I have a need for winter tires, but everything I've read and watched has winter tires working better in those conditions when they are narrow. I guess they cut through the snow/ice better like that. I think you have the right idea for the winter tires, and, if you want, you can go with the 205/50-16 all seasons when the time comes in March or April. The wider tire will add a bit of stability, which I've noticed is a bit lacking on the highway at around 65-70 mph or above. I know I'll be going with the 205s, but if you're satisfied with what came on the car then don't let it bug you too much.

 

For the most part, yes, people moved to 205/50/16 tires due to availability.

Don't bother doing BOTH Conti DWS and Blizzaks... there's no point in going with winter tires AND all season tires. Either just do the Conti DWS or Blizzaks/Conti DW combo (if you want to stick to Conti, that is).

It could be that my Conti DWS are too worn down (the S wear indicator is about to disappear soon), but I did struggle a little bit on inlcines where the snow wasn't cleared or even packed in slightly.

 

Congrats on becoming a Fit owner!
I have those same Blizzaks on my stock wheels and they are great! I do a round trip drive from Ohio to New Jersey back to Ohio at least once a month (sometimes through snowstorms) and the tires have never let me down.

 

Awesome, thanks for the responses guys. I'd never profess to be exceptionally knowledgeable about cars, so I'm glad all my research was along the right lines.

 

Welcome to the forums. I have a 2009 as well and have General Altimax Arctic snows on them. Don't get 16" snow tires but look for some 15" honda Civic (4 lug) or Acura Integra alloys and then get snows to mount on them. I got 4 alloy wheels off of an integra LS for $50 off craigslist (after trade of random things) and my snows (185/65/15) mounted for about $320. now I never have to pay for Mounting/balancing of my snows and I swap them out on my own schedule. The $50 alloys have already paid for themselves as Mounting/balancing here is about $15/wheel or $120/year. (I also worry less about having my TPMS sensors damaged)

As for the width of snows... definitely, the narrower tires are better in snow. you don't want to float on top of the snow but cut through it so 185 or 175 are the best choices.

~SB

 

Congrats on your new Fit! I just got a '09 Fit Sport a month ago and really enjoy it. I am on Dunlop stock tires as well. My Fit came with two new front tires and the back tires that I suspect have at least 25K on them. I am guessing they will last another year or so.

I have heard great things about the Conti DWS. I drive a lot of the highway and would gladly sacrifice a little MPG for a little quieter cockpit.

Let us know what you think when you get the new shoes.

Schwimm

 

TireRack.com Search Winter / Snow Tires By Vehicle at Tire Rack

Tire rack has general altimax arctics in 185/65r14 with 14" steelies for $404 (then shipping). This is the set I ran on my civic (well 185/60r14, close enough) and now run them on my fit. They are very good in the snow.

If you want to save a bit more hit the junkyard and pick up a set of 14 or 15in steelies for cheep (the fit uses a 4x100 bolt patern, most older honds, 2005 and before, used this, as well as a ton of other small cars).

The blizacs will be exception on snow and ice but will only last about 3 seasons, we run them on my mom's car. There are people driving the altimax arctic all year round and getting 50-60,000 miles out of them. I have almost two seasons on mine and they are hardly worn.

 

FYI,
Sears has the 185/65/15 for less than $80/tire (Most tire centers will mount/balance for free if you buy from them - Mine did) and a set of craigslist Alloys should be between $50 & $100 for 4 (My Integra LS Mesh alloys were $50 plus $50 worth of trade on stuff I never used). Total cost was under $400 including mounting/balancing and I'm running Alloys. also of note, the 15" tires are $10 cheaper per tire. (sears link)

~SB