QuestionQUESTION: Hello,
I'm from Toronto, Canada and just trying to prepare myself for winter driving. I currently own a 2009 Honda Fit Sport, which comes with OEM all season tires at 185/55/R16. I have a set of winter tires left from another car with measurements 195/65/R15. I checked the "tire size difference" using http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html and the results give 4% difference. ie, a speed of 60mph at 195/65/R15 tires will be 62.4mph.
1. Is this an issue?
2. More importantly, based on the tire sizes I have posted, should or should I not use the 195/65/R15 set of winter tires I have for the Fit?
3. Do steelies (steel rims) have different sizes that fit different diameter of wheels? By diameter, I mean from the outer wall to the inner wall. Or does it just depend on rim size, ie. 15" vs 16", etc?
Thanks a lot for your help!
ANSWER: Fred,
1. Is this an issue?
Maybe. I have heard of situations where significant changes in tire diameter adversely affect the ABS. I don't know if that is an issue for Fits, but it is on some vehicles. Check with Honda to be sure.
One of the things that isn't published is how much room there are in the fenderwells. A tire that is 1" larger in diameter and 10mm wider might interfere with a fender or the suspension. Without physically measuring the vehicle, I just don't know. But I can tell you that Tire Rack does offer winter tire packages with 175/65R15's, so obviously there is clearance around the brakes for a 15" rim.
2. More importantly, based on the tire sizes I have posted, should or should I not use the 195/65/R15 set of winter tires I have for the Fit?
I can't tell you for sure, but it seems doubtful.
3. Do steelies (steel rims) have different sizes that fit different diameter of wheels? By diameter, I mean from the outer wall to the inner wall. Or does it just depend on rim size, ie. 15" vs 16", etc?
It doesn't matter what the wheels are made out of, the critical dimensions are the same - and the critical dimensions are many, which is why it is important that the rim be specified as fitting the vehicle in question. They don't automatically. I
In other words, just because a rim is a 16" rim, it will not necessarily fit a Fit.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Barry for your quick response!
A few more follow-up questions...
So even though the rim dimension is smaller (going from 16" to 15"), since the diameter is now larger (as well as the ratio of sidewall), we might not clear the brakes/calipers? Is that what you're referring to? I will make sure I ask Honda to be sure.
When I ask for steel rims if I do decide to use that set of winter tires, I have to specifically give them the tire dimensions AS WELL AS tell them that I will be installing these on a Honda Fit?
Say I have a set of tires that are 215/65/R15 and another at 175/65/R15, they will not fit the same set of 15" steel rims right? I'm just trying to see if I understand your response correctly.
Thanks again!
AnswerFred,
1. So even though the rim dimension is smaller (going from 16" to 15"), since the diameter is now larger (as well as the ratio of sidewall), we might not clear the brakes/calipers? Is that what you're referring to? I will make sure I ask Honda to be sure.
No, the problem is the fenders, frame, and suspension. It is clear that Tire Rack has available wheels that will clear the brake parts.
2. When I ask for steel rims if I do decide to use that set of winter tires, I have to specifically give them the tire dimensions AS WELL AS tell them that I will be installing these on a Honda Fit?
No, in theory, once you specify the vehicle, this should be enough information to select wheels that fit.
3. Say I have a set of tires that are 215/65/R15 and another at 175/65/R15, they will not fit the same set of 15" steel rims right? I'm just trying to see if I understand your response correctly.
215/65R15 will fit on rims between 6" and 7 1/2" wide, and 175/65R15's fit on rims that are between 5" and 6". As you can see, there is a bit of an overlap.
