Sure would be nice to have a small temporary use spare tire option for times when you may be traveling in an area that may not have good cellular signal. Just ask Ladogboy!

 

Once we know what all wheel specs are, I bet you can buy a donut spare and of course jacks and wrenches are easy to come by. Assembling a kit to carry with you would be pretty easy.

 

I doubt there will be. There is no good place for a spare and the jacking equipment. Of course you can probably buy and carry all that stuff around if it's really that important to you.

I've been driving the last 10 and half years in a car that came from the factory with no spare. That car came with some sort of emergency inflator kit. It has some sort of goop that gets sprayed into the tire and then there is an electric battery operated air pump to air the tire up again. I can't tell you how well it works because I've never used it.

The Bolt comes with self sealing tires, so they already have the goop in them. I think we'll be fine.

 

The Bolt comes with self sealing tires, so they already have the goop in them. I think we'll be fine.

Well, you would think / hope we would be fine. Not so much. I hit a pothole that tore the rubber on the sidewall. It didn't seal itself for that. I went ahead and got 4 new regular tires. The new tires feel great, but if I could do it again, I would have gone looking for energy efficient tires. I have lost about .3 m/kWh of range. That is pretty significant in my book. Also, I am going to order some of that spray stuff to seal on the road. Although, that would not have helped me this last time.

 

With TPMS, knowing that there is a slow leak prevents most flat tires. I haven't had a true flat in over a decade. I have had leaks and just get them fixed. Carry a can of flat fixer and your should be fine for 98% of situations.

 

There is a Tire Inflator kit for $95 at http://www.chevrolet.com/bolt-ev-electric-vehicle/accessories.html#

 

There is a Tire Inflator kit for $95 at 2023 Bolt EV: Electric Car | Chevrolet

There is also a tire inflator for $39 here: Tire Inflator

Which one is better?

 

ref:

Wheels: 17in x 6.5J offset 44, cast aluminum
Tires: Michelin Energy Saver A/S 215/50R17 all-season

 

I really cannot see the value in having a tire inflator kit for these self sealing tires. Only time might help were if there was a small puncture in the side wall, and that has to be a very rare problem. Larger problem like Ladogboy had would not have been fixed by goo and inflator kit. So I am fairly confident driving around on these tires, going "naked" except in that situation where you may be going on a trip where cellphone signal is spotty, as OnStar also relies on cellular signal...not satellite. A small donut tire, tire tool, and jack would make all the difference here. Would save HOURS if not days. Took Ladogboy more than a day with his situation.

And these OEM tires are currently back-ordered on Tirerack. Not so easy to come by. We do know the specs, just waiting for someone to create and market a usable donut tire to throw in the garage and put in the storage area for those mission critical trips.

 

yep, pretty much, from some research, might be able to adapt from this volt spare guide:
Build your own spare tire kit with quality Chevrolet OEM Parts for around $150

also, I found that Costco has the oem spec tires handy, and if order online, ranges from set for $399 to $699 for Michellin Energy Saver A/S

 

It all depends on how you treat your tires, especially how you drive and maintain the correct pressure. Lower pressures allow the sidewalls to flex more and weaken them.

I have a 2009 Chevy Equinox, and only once I need to stop and replace the bad tire with the spare because I ran near a concrete border that cut the sidewall. But other than that, no leaks or flats on normal roads. My previous car was a 1995 Buick Regal, and in 21 years it only had one flat. I used a "Fix-a-Flat" inflator can to fill it up and the next day had the tire puncture repaired. I NEVER used the spare in the trunk!

The newer cars that have the special inflator work on that plan: pump air if the pressure is low, and use a sealer to fill and reinflate from a puncture. So they never need the spare. Having the inflator kit is much more useful, and weighs less, than a spare and a jack. And if you can't get an inflator kit, get a inflator can and store it in the rear (I keep one in my Equinox).

 

The fixaflat can sounds like a good idea. But is even that necessary with the Bolt's self-sealing tires? Doesn't the OEM Bolt tire already basically do what fixaflat does?

 

I should drive around and pick up everybody's discarded OEM tires. I'd probably never have to buy tires again!! :laugh:

 

Mine are already sitting in the basement!

You should come visit Oregon, we'll bolt down some mountain roads, but some of us will be able to go faster than others! Haha...

 

Most of the time, nothing really happens to the stock tires and my old set are testament of that after 9 years. But to have a spare just gives you a peace of mind and you won't have to wait forever for a tow truck to arrive.

 

IMO if you live in an area that gets good response times from road side assistance then there's not much to worry about. Make sure you're signed up for some service like that and keep a tire patch kit. Far more common to find a small puncture where you still have lots of time left to drive on it versus going completely flat in an instant.

 

Exactly and the tire pressure monitoring system should help with that.

 

Roadside assistance is included with the 3 years of OnStar. Has anyone ever had the pleasure of using this service with a flat tire and no spare? Ladogboy tried to use it in California, but he had no cellphone or service with OnStar, so it was not useful for him.

 

Does anyone notice that with morning and night's temperature changes, the tire pressure can change in range as far as 5 psi ? (in my case 35 ~ 40)

Also the front left always seems to get higher ?

 

I always see 36-38.

 

Totally normal with temp fluctuation. In my case, the tires on the drivers side of the car get warmer faster because of how the sun hits the car. Test them mid day with the sun hitting the car equally.

 

if someone could come up something like this for the Bolt, would be awesome

http://www.electricvehiclewiki.com/Build_your_own_spare_tire_kit_with_quality_Chevrolet_OEM_Parts_for_around_$150

 

That link doesn't work - can you post a working link for us to see?

 

N/m, I got over my laziness and found it myself.

http://www.electricvehiclewiki.com/Build_your_own_spare_tire_kit_with_quality_Chevrolet_OEM_Parts_for_around_$150

According to my research the tire size is the same as the Gen 2 Volt so this should work

 

that's great, thanks for confirming !!

 

If you frequent areas with spotty cell coverage. And you refuse to pay for OnStar after the 6 months free, even the cheapest “safe & sound” (or whatever they call it now) plan. And there’s no 4G LTE wifi for you, because you refused OnStar. But now, you fear tearing up a sidewall if you bounce off a tree stump.

BTW: you get Roadside Assistance whether or not you pay for Onstar. But still need a cell signal to call Roadside.

Solution: get one of these fixtured onto your Bolt ! : Additional benefit: has that adventurer-cool look to it, eh ? Then you’d just need to find and install a “woody” wagon side panel treatment onto your Bolt to complete the effect. You’ll be all good for the high country !

 

I have a full size oem volt Gen 2 rim and tire. I bought it after I had a confrontation on the freeway with a piece of metal after only 800 miles on the car (volt). The tire inflator kit didn't fix it as it was a sidewall cut.

I can't afford delays because of flat tires and even run flats are only good for 50-100 miles or so. So I need a full size spare until I have time to fix it.

I made my dealer put on my spare rim and tire on the bolt and they confirmed that it works without problem.

not only that but the spare with tools fits perfectly under the false floor in the truck, so it's out of sight and doesn't really take any space away on a daily basis.

I went with the oem rim for the volt as none of the aftermarket rims did fit at the time and I had a 50% off coupon from Costco that made it a "reasonable" $250 - well worth my piece of mind.

 

That's cool! I'd love to see how you packaged the spare, jack and wrench under the floor. Did you keep the 120v charger, or just leave it at home?

 

The Bolt's false floor is pretty deep, but I didn't think it was an extra tire kind of deep. I too would like to see a picture of how it fits.
Does the false floor fit perfectly over it?

 

I'd also gotten a compact/donut style spare for our Bolt. Here's some details that I hope might help. I started with a used 2015 Chevy Cruze compact spare wheel, which is a 16" vs the 17" wheel standard for the Bolt. To come as close as possible to the Bolt's wheel & tire diameter of 25.6 inches, I bought a compact spare tire (size 135/90R16) giving the combined overall diameter of 25.5 inches. Clearance for the wheel and brake caliper/suspension is good, with about 1/2" clearance. I'd suggest talking to your Chevy dealers service department and getting a copy of the Bolt EV Service Manual - Document 4538698. This shows the underside of the Bolt and (seeing how the car does not come with a spare, there are no visible marked jacking points) the image and points for "Lift and Jacking the Vehicle". To avoid damage by accidentally lifting against the underside of the battery cover or other weak spots, I'd highly recommend this document. If the dealer is reluctant to provide this, contact me and I'd be glad to share a copy. The spare tire fits nicely under the false floor laying flat allowing for the cover to fit normally in place. This, along with a scissors jack and lug wrench for the 19mm lug nuts, was all I needed. The car's lug nuts fit nicely onto the Chevy Cruze 16" spare wheel.

 

I'd also gotten a compact/donut style spare for our Bolt. Here's some details that I hope might help. I started with a used 2015 Chevy Cruze compact spare wheel, which is a 16" vs the 17" wheel standard for the Bolt. To come as close as possible to the Bolt's wheel & tire diameter of 25.6 inches, I bought a compact spare tire (size 135/90R16) giving the combined overall diameter of 25.5 inches.

What was the size of the tire that came on the Cruze spare wheel? If you're going to only be using these on the rear wheels (always putting OEM tire on the front) is the diameter really that important?

 

sorry bad pic quality ... I have some foul weather gear next to the tire and below the tire in the "second false floor" compartment is my charger and extension cord ...

 

Nice! Did you find any guidance on jacking?

 

Yes, I too have spare tire anxiety (vs range anxiety).
:0)


I travel about 200 miles per day in the rural high desert and me (being the most lucky driver out there) in other vehicles have cut tires on sharp rocks, put nails in my sidewall, bent rims on rocky dirt roads and you name it. I'd feel a heck of a lot more comfortable with a spare even if I had to put it in the front passenger seat.
:0)

 

Well now you know a spare would fit perfectly in the trunk's false floor compartment. I've always had a spare tire too and with how much construction the roads are under every winter, nails lying around are just perfect for puncturing tires.

Seems like drivers will always have some kind of anxiety.

 

For others who do want the spare tire option, in addition to the provided "no-spare" equipment Chevrolet offers, I have a donut spare, scissors jack, lug wrench that all fit nicely under the luggage compartment false floor for the times when I was driving some distance out of town.

So, approx $200 later, I have an actual donut spare tire. Fit tested on my Left Front tire position to make sure clearances were all good and the factory tire wheel lugs fit as well.

I'd posted all the wheel, tire size information under Oldskybolt a couple weeks ago. Check it out and I hope this helps.

 

I hope you never had to use a differently sized tire on the front and possibly mess up the engine.

 

Oldskybolt's very informative post is just one page back, post #40 . Turn your head upside down to view the attached photo! :laugh:

 

Always use the factory tires on the front, even if you are forced to move one from the rear and install the spare on the rear. Overall tire size can differ widely from the factory tire, to the spare being used. You don't want different speed inputs going into the axle/transmission. It's the same, only backwards on a rear drive car especially if it has a limited slip.

You can burn it up and cause lots of damage with two different sized tires
on the same drive axle

 

Very true. Both front tires need to be the same. It sounds like there might be enough room in the trunk to hold the Bolt rim and tire as a spare. Likely there are some folks that would sell their factory rims and tires as they put aftermarket stuff on.