Rear wheel spacers - Recommendations?

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

Take a look here for a link on another member added rear spacers...

25mm rear wheel spacers installed - they fit

I bought a pair of 25mm spacers early this year due to a 180 degree spin-out during the last snow of the season. The spin was something that I feel was induced by the differential wheel spacing. I've driven many cars in the snow over the years with only summer tires, and never experienced a spin as easy as I had last winter.

I just put the spacers on the car last weekend. They are the same model that is discussed in the link above. Note that when you go to their website, the Honda Insight is NOT listed, and you will have to select those for a Honda Fit or similar.

Jim.

Does everything needed come with the kit? I have a set of 175 65 14 (one size wider since the proper size has been discontinued) Blizzaks mounted on a spare set of OEM rims and am thinking about getting some spacers. Would the 25mm be too wide?

[aisbell]

Originally Posted by diamondlarry

I have a set of 175 65 14 (one size wider since the proper size has been discontinued) Blizzaks mounted on a spare set of OEM rims and am thinking about getting some spacers. Would the 25mm be too wide?

You could always drive with your rear spats off if clearance is a problem. At the hypermiling speeds that you tend to drive, the slightly worse aerodynamics would probably not be noticeable but the better stability in winter with more equal front and rear tracks would be.

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by aisbell

You could always drive with your rear spats off if clearance is a problem. At the hypermiling speeds that you tend to drive, the slightly worse aerodynamics would probably not be noticeable but the better stability in winter with more equal front and rear tracks would be.

Thanks Art. I had considered that about taking off the spats. However, I was also wondering about if I wanted to leave the spacers on when I have the RE92's on in non-winter weather. I have been taking more road trips lately since my daughter now lives about 5 hours away and the aerodynamics would be a significant factor on the highway.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Cf-105

That is what I am trying to cure. Were you using snow tires? Lots of deep, wet snow that day? What tires?

What are your thoughts, so far?

I was driving through the last snow storm of early 2012, and the snow was really wet (slushy), about 5 inches deep in spots.

Had the stock RE92's front and rear, and the rear tread was only about 1/16 inch deep.

Hit a certain part of the snow and back kicked out real fast. Faster than any other car that I have driven in the snow. I tried counter steering but it was already too far gone, and it keep going around until I was facing backwards towards the oncoming traffic.

Fortunately no one else was close to me!

That incident was enough, to research and order the spacers right there on the spot.

The handling of the car in the dry seems to me the same as without them, as I sometimes turn corners pretty briskly to keep a feel for how the car handles in those situations.

Jim.

[Cf-105]

Thanks Jim.

I don't think they had people in snowy climates in mind when they designed it. I hope I can learn from your experience and not do it myself!