Just had the Conti DWS 205/50/16's mounted on my FIT. Replaced the stock duns w/ 31K miles on them. They had another season of miles on them, just not a NE season of snow... they have been recycled.

The improvement is outstanding. These are the tires that should have come on the Fit.

After a 125mile drive home, up the Taconic State Parkway, I saw no loss of MPG, a positive gain in handling and a marked reduction in road noise at all speeds.

In my mind the 205/50 is the replacement size tire for the 16" Fit Sport wheels. Essentially the same revs/mile as the stock tire.

The Conti DWS is the all-season tire to have. It weighs in at 19# compared to the 18.5# duns, not sure what the Turanza's are.

K_C_

 

In the days before Thanksgiving, the 205/50 R16s landed in my living room (bad timing as my wife, a professional actor, had Hal Linden over for coffee at the same time. Note to the married Fit owners: tires, even gorgeous new ones, are not acceptable decor.)

The new tires: Bridgestone Ecopia EP422
Replaced tires: Bridgestone Turanza EL470 185-55R16 (Original)

I had been worried about rubbing issues, but the Honda Mugen wheel carries the 205/50 size and has an offset within 5mm of the Sport 16" wheel. After dirt roads and multiple curbs with hard turns, no rubbing detected.

The tires were installed at stock pressure, then increased to 39 PSI on all four wheels.

At stock pressure (33 psi):

The ride quality was significantly improved, noticeable even before reaching 20 mph. The tire is quieter going over cracks and holes.

Above 35 mph, a brief drifting motion accompanied sharp steering moves. The car had lost the go-kart immediacy in the steering response and felt much more like a 1985 Camry. The effect increased with speed, so that on the highway (50-70 mph), steering motions made me think "Lincoln Town Car". My suspicion is that the slightly narrower wheels allow some overall side-to-side compliance, or play, as turning forces are introduced.

The drifting motion was disconcerting, so I adjusted pressures to 39 PSI.

At 39 PSI, all four tires:

The drifting motion at higher speeds was eliminated. Steering response still lacks the whip fast go-kart feel with the OEM 185/55 tires, but the loss is minor; at the higher pressure the Fit feels more akin to a recent vintage Civic than a wallowly Lincoln. Small adjustments at high speed feel stable at the higher pressure. This change could be an effect of the tire design and not the width profile.

On rough pavements, the ride is harder at 39 PSI but still better than the stock Turenzas at any pressure.

The wider profile is most apparent in cornering and on rough pavement. In both cases the tires feel more solid and less stressed. Pavement irregularities during cornering, a common situation the car's home city of New Orleans, are handled with better control and comfort.

The Ecopia tires are acceptable for hard cornering, but I imagine there are better choices where performance is the priority.

The 205/50 tires register between -0.5 and +2 MPH actual GPS speeds, which is comparable to the measurements on worn stock 185/55s. Most of the time GPS is slightly higher by 1 MPH or so at speeds over 50 MPH, which is negligible. The other alternative considered, 195/55, would almost certainly have yielded a larger overspeed discrepancy.

Tire noise on smooth blacktop completely disappears. Noise on grooved or regular concrete is lower.

Fuel Economy

The Ecopias improved highway mileage significantly, by 3-5 MPG. This Fit had never broken 35 MPG at 70 MPH under any circumstance; on the new tires, I recorded 39 MPG with approximately 600 pounds of people and 150 pounds of luggage. (Sorry, no individual breakdown is available). At 45-55 MPH in rain on hills with the a/c engaged, the odometer's fuel computer (current TSB updated version) recorded 42-44 MPG, the highest ever seen. We do not yet have a full tank test at these speeds.

Detailed reports of city mileage will have to wait a few tanks. Highway mileage is mostly one driver, but city is split up among three, one of whom is aggressive with acceleration. On the stock Turanzas, the lightfoots would get 30-33 in the city, while the aggressive came back with 26-29.

You can see past results and how we're doing currently at the Fuelly link below.

Experiences with higher than stock tire pressure

My experience with multiple vehicles is that pressures higher than recommended do not cause significant wear at the tire's center. I suspect modern belt and tread structures are better able to maintain a flat profile.

I get improved mileage, and usually get close to manufacturer's treadwear rating--a real accomplishment on the streets of New Orleans. The OEM Turanzas lasted me 49,000 miles.

Ride quality suffers on normal roads, but on profoundly bad pavement higher pressures seem to better protect the rims from bending impacts.

Comments on reviews and availability

In researching this tire, I was surprised not to find a single review of this tire size installed on a Fit Sport 2nd gen on either Tire Rack or Discount Tire's well-populated review sites. The Tire Rack phone consultant Doc said they sold this tire size often, but they don't show it as a compatible size. (I will post a review when I get some time).

To shop for a 205/50R16 tire after exhausting 185/55R16 options is like walking into Whole Foods after buying groceries at a gas station. The choice is amazing. The runners-up in my selection process were the Continental DWS and DW, and the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max.

 

I am faced with the task of replacing my tires (OEM Dunlops) at almost 32K and am finding that almost all of the 185/55R16 and 205/50R16 tires are currently on back order.

From what I gather, it sounds like switching to the 205/50 size is worth it and it appears that Costco actually has these (BFGoodrich - g-Force™ Super Sport A/S H/V) in stock at that size. The reviews seem to be fairly good, but I'm wondering if anyone has put them on their Fit Sport?

Additional hitch is that I am a graduate student and just don't have the extra money around to throw down for some of the nicer tires out there.

Any thoughts/feedback would be much appreciated!

 

Never ran the Goodrich but have lived on a tight budget before. If the price is right go for it. They have a good wear factor, get good reviews, but are a heavier than the Dun's so you'll take a 2-3mpg hit. I considered them for my choice but ended up with the DWS.

 

just FYI

the Bridgestone turanzas were discontinued, and the bridgstone Ecopia EL22 was the economy tire made to replace it and the bridgestone insignia SE200. It suppostly is made with gas mileage and fuel efficency in mind, so with that said it probably wouldn't be a bad choice if your fuel minded. The 22 in EP22 actually represents earth day which is in April 22nd.

On the subject about snow tires why tire rack would suggest a wider tire as a winter alternative is beyond me.

To answer your question though i would personally (and i did) go with the 205/50/16. reason being that its closer to an overall diameter as the 185/55. though like mentioned above if you want you can buy OE dunlops if you want approx. 250 miles on them before i slapped Bridgestone RE760 sports on.

 

I have been looking at the Bridgestone Ecopia tires, but they are on back order until mid- to late-January, from what I understand. My current tires are pretty worn so, with winter starting, I'm not sure I can wait that long. Do you know for certain that they haven't discontinued the Ecopia as well?

 

Ecopia EL22 is no longer what you want...Look for the Ecopia EP422

Ecopia EP422 (eco): Bridgestone Tires

 

Tirerack has the 205/50-16 Continental DWS's in stock at $115 each, and this is the tire that so many here (myself included) have and absolutely love.

Buy them from Tirerack and have the drop shipped to your local tire installer and have them put them on for you.

 

I noticed your in Tennessee, and am curious why you went with the DWS instead of the DW? Maybe it snows there in the hills, not sure. Basically, I'm trying to determine the differences between the two tires. The DWS has a higher wear rating, and the DW is more of a performance tire, but a lot of performance oriented folks get the former.

 

How does the steering feel on the DWSs compare with the Dunlops?

 

It does snow several times a year in Nashville, but remember this...summer tires like the DW absolutely suck in sub 32 degree weather. They are slick to the point of sometimes feeling like you're driving on black ice.

I have the DW's on my M3, but DWS's on my Fit since it's my daily driver. I have summer tires on my NSX, Supra and M3 because those tires give me the performance I want and need, but for a daily driver where you'll be driving in below freezing temps and sometimes in the snow, you'll need a great tire like the DWS.

The DWS is FAR superior to the OEM Dunlops that came on the Fit. The Dunlops made the car drive like crap. They are too narrow and I felt the car was way too twitchy if you know what I mean. The 205/50-16 DWS made the car handle better, stop better, and look great on the Fit Sport wheels. Honda should have installed these as the OEM tires...not the crappy Dunlops.

 

An update - over the holidays I traveled 3hrs on a blowing snow swept/packed powder Maine Turnpike with little to no issues. As usual it was the other fools that were the problem. The DWS rocks.

 

Over the last few days since I've been back from Cambodia... my (DWS) tires have felt... soft.

I'm pretty certain that it's because the tires have lost a little bit of pressure in the 5 or so weeks since the last time I checked the pressure. The TPMS low pressure light hasn't come on, so I think it's fine, since I had the tires pumped to 38 PSI last time anyway. I mean at 1 psi drop per month and then per 10 degree change should bring it to just about 32 psi (as of today, about 40 degree change from end of November).

It doesn't feel too bad even though it's softer than normal. Sure there's a little bit of side action on the turns and the highway (compared to when I have more PSI). But not a big deal.

Pretty good.

 

Hey goobz -Happy New Year, how was your visit? Pump those tires up man.

 

Happy New Year!!

My visit netted two penpals... and if my mother has her way, one of them is her future daughter-in-law.

=.="

Yeah, I'm gonna pump up those tires, as soon as I bundle myself up enough to handle standing outside in the cold for 10 minutes... and remember to do it before having to rush to work (bad habit of waking up with barely enough time to get to work).

 

Excellent assessment and overview. Thanks! I'll probably go with something stickier unless I foresee some colder weather in my future. As is, it is rarely very cold during the day, and when it is, I could afford to drive slower. We are seeing 70 degree days still.

 

I am pretty much set on NOT getting the Continentals and instead going for Kuhmo Ecsta 4X, as its consumer reviews really praise it highly. Seems to be overall an excellent tire and only $79/tire to boot.

 

whatever floats your boat.

Incidentally, I checked my tire pressure yesterday after posting... 35 psi. Pretty good, losing only half of what I expected. Even on the tire that got punctured before my trip.

 

So...after all the accolades on this site about how great the Continental DWS tire is on a Honda Fit as to handling, stopping distance, wet and dry traction, noise levels, and so on, you have chosen NOT to get them and are going to buy a middle of the road quality Kumko tire that no one here has probably even put on their Fit. Is that what you've decided? Great choice...

I've owned a lot of cars over the years, and can tell you that anytime I've bought one that had Kumho tires on them, I replaced them immediately. Kumho is known as a middle of the road, built in Korea or China tire, that enthusiasts like me absolutely abhor. They perform well for 5000-10,000 miles and after that get quite noisy and lose grip. When I bought my M3, it had Kumho ASX's on it (which have the same 420 treadwear as the tires you're considering), and they were toast after only 8000 miles. I immediately replaced them with Continental DW's and the car now drives like it's on rails.

The Continental DWS is a tire that's designed and manufactured in Germany, and Continental is a top notch tire manufacturer. They, and Michelin, are the two top tire companies in the world, and one that enthusiasts recognize as such.

If you want to skimp on your tires, go ahead and buy the Kumho's. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

 

Uh, clearly you didn't do your homework. Maybe you should read the long list of reviews for each tire on Tirerack. The Kuhmos are rated clearly better than the DWSs.

Like I said, I'm getting the Kuhmos.