Winter is just a few months away... Snow tires.
#42
11-05-2010, 07:55 PM
What's everyone's thoughts on snow tires vs all season tires?
I've only ever driven a 96 Ford Explorer before the Fit so I never had to worry about winter driving before so tires are not an area I've ever looked into. I drove the stock wheels of my 09 Fit Sport last winter and got by just fine, I even drove through 3 states during a pretty bad weekend blizzard. I'd rather not take a chance this year and be safe rather than sorry.
Thanks!
I've only ever driven a 96 Ford Explorer before the Fit so I never had to worry about winter driving before so tires are not an area I've ever looked into. I drove the stock wheels of my 09 Fit Sport last winter and got by just fine, I even drove through 3 states during a pretty bad weekend blizzard. I'd rather not take a chance this year and be safe rather than sorry.
Thanks!
#43
11-10-2010, 05:33 PM
I've been running 185/65/14 studded hankook i-pikes on oem 14" steel wheels on my 08 fit sport for the past 2 winters here in central alberta. This will be my 3rd season on this setup and probably the last season I'll get from the tires. I average 15-20,000km during winter so they've served me well.
The tires are extremely stable. I would easily say equal to the nokian hakkapellita Rsi which i've run on another car in the past.
I've actually tried several times on purpose to make the back end break lose on ice covered roads and empty snow covered parking lots with no success. If anything I think having good tires on the back of the car is the most important, but 4 winter tires is the only way to go as many others have said.
By the way, with that tire size I ended up paying less for tires and they are in fact exactly the same height as the factory 195/55/15 tires i run for the summer. Something to consider rather than shelling out for a set of more expensive 15" wheels and tires.
Another thought whatever your driving on in the winter, practice driving around and stopping quickly in a safe environment like a walmart parking lot late at night. Always good to know what your car can do before you have to find out the hard way trying to avoid a spinning car sliding towards you.
The tires are extremely stable. I would easily say equal to the nokian hakkapellita Rsi which i've run on another car in the past.
I've actually tried several times on purpose to make the back end break lose on ice covered roads and empty snow covered parking lots with no success. If anything I think having good tires on the back of the car is the most important, but 4 winter tires is the only way to go as many others have said.
By the way, with that tire size I ended up paying less for tires and they are in fact exactly the same height as the factory 195/55/15 tires i run for the summer. Something to consider rather than shelling out for a set of more expensive 15" wheels and tires.
Another thought whatever your driving on in the winter, practice driving around and stopping quickly in a safe environment like a walmart parking lot late at night. Always good to know what your car can do before you have to find out the hard way trying to avoid a spinning car sliding towards you.
#44
11-11-2010, 04:21 AM
Another thought whatever your driving on in the winter, practice driving around and stopping quickly in a safe environment like a walmart parking lot late at night. Always good to know what your car can do before you have to find out the hard way trying to avoid a spinning car sliding towards you.
#45
11-11-2010, 10:17 AM
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: Testing Winter Weather Specialists: Studless Ice and Snow Tires. 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 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
Last edited by john380; 11-13-2010 at 08:52 PM.
#46
11-13-2010, 07:12 PM
Just wondering how are things going with your Extremewintercontacts? I got a set last year and all four tires developed sidewall cracks after a few hundred miles. I got them replaced with new set of the same and the new set developed sidewall cracks after a few hundred miles. I got them replaced with Yokohama ice guard i20 and although I don't think they are as good as the Conti s but no sidewall cracks. Great links BTW thanks!
And a comparison between the Continentals and the stock Dunlops:
#47
11-16-2010, 02:52 PM
185/70R14 Yokohama IceGuard IG20 on 14x6 Del Sol alloys on my 2009 Fit. No clearance issues, no spacers, plenty of caliper clearance. Spent less than $350 for wheels/tires including shipping for the tires, and mounting and balancing at a local shop.
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