Four tire options, which would you pick?

[troymcclure]

Time for new rubber on the Honda Fit. Replacing Michelin Premiers. Always bought Michelin but sadly Michelin doesn’t even have anything in their current lineup for 185 55R16 other than the X-Ice. Not thinking about alternate tire sizes at the moment. I’ve narrowed things down to four options in the stock size. Live in SF so need great dry and wet traction but I also drive up to ski during the season so some snow performance would be nice. Narrowed it down to four options:

Which would you pick?

All weather:
Vredestein Quatrac
Falken Aklimate

All Season:
Yokohama Avid Ascend GT
GT Altimax RT45

 

[daves87rs]

Had great luck with the General Altimax RT45 on my Trax……even solid in the snow.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Falken Aklimate, since it's probably cheaper, and also non-directional

 

[edyvw]

Vredestein

 

[dubber09]

Can you just go with a slightly different size and recalibrate speedo? I don't like any of those four to run in summer sun and mountain snow.
Edit: Vredestein would be my choice too if I was limited to the four, but they have low wear ratings so won't last long.

 

[troymcclure]

Can you just go with a slightly different size and recalibrate speedo? I don't like any of those four to run in summer sun and mountain snow.
Edit: Vredestein would be my choice too if I was limited to the four, but they have low wear ratings so won't last long.

I’d be willing to for the CrossClimate 2s which I have been loving on my other car. But they don’t offer them in anything reasonably close to the stock size. Everything else doesn’t seem worth the speedometer hassle over the options above unless you have something in mind. I’d also probably have to buy new tire chains.

 

[troymcclure]

I don’t put a lot of miles on this car so low wear ratings would be totally fine if a tire is otherwise great. I’ve always replaced for age well before tread wear. The Premiers I have on there now are notorious for their quick wear but are getting replaced for age.

 

[hank2]

The RT45 will wear decently and also have some light snow capability. They have much stiffer sidewalls than the older RT43. If a Fit is stiffly sprung with short travel, maybe not the best choice. IF it's a fairly soft suspension, they would be fine.

I'm not familiar with Falken Aklimate but they're likely a good choice on the snow end. Possibly a bit noisy and quicker wearing.

The Falken Sincera SN250 A/S is available in your size. I have them on one car for the past year+. They're good on dry, very good in wet, wear well. After the past couple of weeks of ice coatings, I was surprised how well they have done. They seem to be of the many small sipes school. They are low OK in 2 or 3 inches of snow, however.

The Quatracs have been around forever, which isn't a bad thing. They do wear very quickly though.

 

[Zee09]

Vredestein Quatrac

 

[CharBaby]

Although you didn't list them, how about the:
Vredestein HiTrac All Season in you size?
185-55-16 at ~$141/ea.
A bit pricey and may not be as good in snow but they didn't suck in the TR ice & snow testing.
I think they'd be more suited for your everyday-ness but maybe not best when you go skiing.
As you stated in your post:
"I also drive up to ski during the season so some snow performance would be nice".
So, some snow performance is what you'd get with the HiTrac.
And from my quick research, you most likely won't find alternate tire size(24" OD) without going down in tire & wheel size. And that alone would be more money not wisely spent.

 

[rijndael]

GT Altimax RT45

I just got a set of these, replacing the RT43, and I'm very happy with them.

 

[JavierH19]

I think the vredstein is an all season but those are known to be great winter tires so if you're to the ski resort I'd choose those.

 

[D1dad]

I've driven a few rentals lately with Falken and have been impressed. Not sure if they'll last, but they were quiet, smooth and comfy.

 

[CarbonToast]

RT45!

 

[Sequoiasoon]

What about up or down on rim size? Does that give any options?

 

[930.engineering]

I’d be willing to for the CrossClimate 2s which I have been loving on my other car. But they don’t offer them in anything reasonably close to the stock size.

I'd consider get 195/55 R16 instead. Better choice and just marginal increase in overall diameter compared to 185/55 R16.
.

 

[zzyzzx]

I'd buy whichever ones are made in USA.

 

[Capt W]

Unless you're a repeat buyer, you can't make a reasoned and rational decision without comparing the UTQG ratings for each tire.

 

[Marcozi]

Wife's Honda has Vredestein Quatrac tires. They have vastly improved handling. I have the "Pro" version (speed rating "W") on my car. Only a small decrease in handling.

 

[troymcclure]

Seems like most enthusiasm here is for the RT45s and the Quatracs. Aklimates seem maybe too new to know. No love for the Yokohamas.

Regarding other sizes I would be worried about leaving no room for error on an already tight fit for my low profile snow chains which are mandated during chain control on the way to Tahoe. They are pretty conservative in California and keep chain control going on bare pavement so I see tire socks just get shredded.