I'm buying a new set of snow tires for a 2015 Fit. I've already decided to get studdable snows, and will not consider all-weathers (don't want the compromises) or studless (need better wear). Primary consideration is snow and slush traction over packed snow and ice traction. So, the only question is: do I get 175/65-15's or 185/60-15's? OEM size is 185/55-16 and I'm minus sizing to 15's because I can get steelies for a reasonable price.
what size for a Fit?
- Thread starter lyle
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AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
OEM diameter is 24.0", the 185s are 23.7" and the 175s are 23.95", (calculated) essentially the same. I'd probably go with the 175/65s to get a bit more sidewall for pothole protection. Actual tread width is probably very close.
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Good move, going with winter tires on their own wheels.
FIRST...
There really is so little difference between those two tire widths(175mm or 185mm) in terms of, cutting through the deep STUFF. Either the 175mm or 185mm is too close to call as are any tires +/- just 10mm.
What I mean is for example, if your OE size width is 225mm then YES, dropping down to a 185mm or even 175mm, will make a larger difference than just dropping down 10mm to a 215mm wide tire. (I realize the FIT is not 225mm, I'm just saying!)
So yeah, you can go with either one but, it's mainly about, what do you want and how much money difference is there between the two tire sizes?
SECOND...
IMHO, the Honda FIT is already a loud vehicle on the road. Do you really want to introduce more noise(studs) into the cabin? Those studs are frikken LOUD!
You may in fact not need studded winter tires however, it is a nice option to have that can be done at a later time. So, I'm just throwing that out there.
Just adding a set of 4 winter tires alone to any vehicle is a MASSIVE improvement all by themselves and you'll love'em!
THIRD...
Should you get rid of/sell the FIT in the future, which size tires do you think might resell quicker, more easily as this could be important...Just say'in!
Good luck with your decision,
CB
FIRST...
There really is so little difference between those two tire widths(175mm or 185mm) in terms of, cutting through the deep STUFF. Either the 175mm or 185mm is too close to call as are any tires +/- just 10mm.
What I mean is for example, if your OE size width is 225mm then YES, dropping down to a 185mm or even 175mm, will make a larger difference than just dropping down 10mm to a 215mm wide tire. (I realize the FIT is not 225mm, I'm just saying!)
So yeah, you can go with either one but, it's mainly about, what do you want and how much money difference is there between the two tire sizes?
SECOND...
IMHO, the Honda FIT is already a loud vehicle on the road. Do you really want to introduce more noise(studs) into the cabin? Those studs are frikken LOUD!
You may in fact not need studded winter tires however, it is a nice option to have that can be done at a later time. So, I'm just throwing that out there.
Just adding a set of 4 winter tires alone to any vehicle is a MASSIVE improvement all by themselves and you'll love'em!
THIRD...
Should you get rid of/sell the FIT in the future, which size tires do you think might resell quicker, more easily as this could be important...Just say'in!
Good luck with your decision,
CB
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Do you have good choices in the tires listed?
If a 185/65/15 fits your fit there is a whole world of tires in that size. If you get a flat in February many tire stores might be out of your obscure sizes and you won't find a replacement in the same tread pattern.
I've gone "up" 10mm on my prii basically because I already had the tire, but the added height and squishiness will be good for potholes. No rubbing. Cars are engineered to run stock tires with chains without hitting anything so you generally have at least of 10mm you can "grow".
If a 185/65/15 fits your fit there is a whole world of tires in that size. If you get a flat in February many tire stores might be out of your obscure sizes and you won't find a replacement in the same tread pattern.
I've gone "up" 10mm on my prii basically because I already had the tire, but the added height and squishiness will be good for potholes. No rubbing. Cars are engineered to run stock tires with chains without hitting anything so you generally have at least of 10mm you can "grow".
Ok. I have studded Nokian nordman 5s on my truck and studless hakkapalliitas on our Sienna. Your wanting studded tires to "reduce wear" isn't the purpose of winter studs. It's for ice traction. If your main concern is slush and deep snow, studs aren't helping you at all, tread depth, pattern and tire width are most important.
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I am a huge fan of General AltiMAX Arctic(now in its second gen called Acrtic12). They're a wonderful tire and a really good value without causing undue road noise.
My fault, I didn't make myself very clear. I'm going with studdable winter tires WITHOUT STUDS because they are illegal where they will be used and 40 years of winter driving in this area has shown that snow and slush performance is way more paramount than packed snow or ice performance.
Tire Rack seems to recommend 185/60-15
Studless tires will perform better than studdable tires without studs. The studdable tires usually have harder compounds and are designed with the studs in mind. The studless tires will be better in the conditions you are concerned about.
Get the Nokian R3 in 185/60-15
Studless tires will perform better than studdable tires without studs. The studdable tires usually have harder compounds and are designed with the studs in mind. The studless tires will be better in the conditions you are concerned about.
Get the Nokian R3 in 185/60-15
Originally Posted by lyle
My fault, I didn't make myself very clear. I'm going with studdable winter tires WITHOUT STUDS because they are illegal where they will be used and 40 years of winter driving in this area has shown that snow and slush performance is way more paramount than packed snow or ice performance.
Oh OK, very good!
I'd almost buy by price/performance. Look at Tire Rack reviews & videos. This will get you started. As I stated earlier, the AltiMAX Arctic is what I bought as they did well in the testing, customer reviews and really a good price(at the time I was buying). However you may be able to get an even better tire in your size for le$$...Who knows!
My fault, I didn't make myself very clear. I'm going with studdable winter tires WITHOUT STUDS because they are illegal where they will be used and 40 years of winter driving in this area has shown that snow and slush performance is way more paramount than packed snow or ice performance.
Oh OK, very good!
I'd almost buy by price/performance. Look at Tire Rack reviews & videos. This will get you started. As I stated earlier, the AltiMAX Arctic is what I bought as they did well in the testing, customer reviews and really a good price(at the time I was buying). However you may be able to get an even better tire in your size for le$$...Who knows!
Originally Posted by Char Baby
You may in fact not need studded winter tires however, it is a nice option to have that can be done at a later time. So, I'm just throwing that out there.
Pretty sure you cant add studs to used tires.. only when they are brand new.
Allthough that is now offtopic as the OP clarified.
You could still go studless and get good mileage, Michelin xice xi3 even has a mileage warranty
You may in fact not need studded winter tires however, it is a nice option to have that can be done at a later time. So, I'm just throwing that out there.
Pretty sure you cant add studs to used tires.. only when they are brand new.
Allthough that is now offtopic as the OP clarified.
You could still go studless and get good mileage, Michelin xice xi3 even has a mileage warranty
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I didn't know that you couldn't add studs later on. I figured that after one winter, you'd know if you needed to add them and it wouldn't be too late. Who knew?
Originally Posted by Char Baby
I didn't know that you couldn't add studs later on. I figured that after one winter, you'd know if you needed to add them and it wouldn't be too late. Who knew?
The reason for this is that studs are supposed to wear at the same rate as the rubber, and from beginning to end protrude the same distance above the tread surface.
I didn't know that you couldn't add studs later on. I figured that after one winter, you'd know if you needed to add them and it wouldn't be too late. Who knew?
The reason for this is that studs are supposed to wear at the same rate as the rubber, and from beginning to end protrude the same distance above the tread surface.
I understand, thanks!
And also, there is something that I didn't think about til now and that is, it'd be easier & less expensive for e.g., TR or DTD to install the studs while they have the tires in their custody then to have the studs installed later and most likely more costly.
And also, there is something that I didn't think about til now and that is, it'd be easier & less expensive for e.g., TR or DTD to install the studs while they have the tires in their custody then to have the studs installed later and most likely more costly.
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