Alright... my commute is mostly freeway and a flat would really stink.

I've been researching this and have bought all the parts needed for a spare tire kit for my Bolt.

One thing that made me uneasy was the standard Cruze or Sonic Jack. The Bolt doesn't have designated pinch weld sections for these types of jacks. I feel uneasy to jack it up at the pinch weld knowing that my car weighs 4514 lbs.

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

The lift points for this vehicle are these metal areas under the car with round alignment holes that remind me of those for a Pontiac Solstice or even the C4 / C5 Corvette:

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

After doing a little bit of research, I came up with this jack:

34913839892_0c80dfa89e_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

It's from a Chevy S10 pickup. It's also used for the Chevy Blazer. The protruding dimple fits the alignment holes under the Bolt perfectly:

35037582886_55a2df9a04_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

35037583196_05fa75c672_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

Since the jack has a bigger base and is rated for a higher weight than the Cruze jack, I feel a little bit more at ease about using it.

Now I need to figure out how to store the spare tire, jack and the lug nut tool. I have the Bose sub and amp taking up the space the spare tire normally goes. I don't think I want to give up any more cargo space. I need to play around with it. I'll post up what I end up with.

 

Now I need to figure out how to store the spare tire, jack and the lug nut tool. I have the Bose sub and amp taking up the space the spare tire normally goes.

The "wheel well" that the Bose sub and amp are installed in isn't completely circular - it has a flat section at the back. Because of that, I think you'll find that there isn't enough fore-aft room down there to put a spare even if you removed the Bose equipment.

My thought, not having actually bought a Bolt yet, is that the spare tire, jack, and other miscellaneous equipment might fit below the false cargo floor - the one that brings the cargo compartment loading height up to match the height of the back seats when they're folded down.

 

The spare does fit under the false floor but not in the round cubby hole that would logically be where a spare goes.

34971691731_2ef2ef77ce_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

I put the jack and tools in a backpack.

34715560760_74e46863d4_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

Then the backpack on top of the spare.

34937863792_399a4aa470_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

Cargo floor back on and the Rola organizer on top.

34715560400_b8ccefff82_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

Yep, I lost some space, but gained a little piece of mind.

 

Yep, I lost some space, but gained a little piece of mind.

Maybe you should give it to somebody

:laugh:

 

Nice job TK!

What model/year was the donut spare from?

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the info on the spare...
How does it match up with the OEM tire diameter?

 

In case your kit doesn't have a tire pressure gauge and air pump, it will be a good idea to keep those handy. Along with always checking the spare tire pressure (a couple times a month). Doing that will set you up perfectly for the worst of situations.

Often I had to help people with low air pressure spare tires, not fun.

The spare has a 22.34" diameter while the stock tire has a 25.46" diameter. When used only at the rear, this should be fine.

I have a $25 Harbor Freight 12v compressor that fits in the spot dedicated to the GM inflator kit. Need to remove the HF compressor out of the zippered storage bag to fit but it has a built in gauge.

https://m.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284.html

 

In case your kit doesn't have a tire pressure gauge and air pump, it will be a good idea to keep those handy. Along with always checking the spare tire pressure (a couple times a month). Doing that will set you up perfectly for the worst of situations.

Often I had to help people with low air pressure spare tires, not fun.

 

^ Volt didn't come w/a spare either... not even a donut spare.

 

From what I can tell, donuts suitable for Volt 2 are available.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-2017-C...-MODELS-ONLY-5X105-/252923956395?hash=item3ae3714cab:g:93MAAOSwsB9V87ZB&vxp=mtr

 

Has anyone tried fitting a full-sized spare and wheel into the bottom part of the cargo area? Will it fit with the false floor in place?

 

Awesome, thanks, ordering one right now!

On a side note, dunno if you noticed the two slits in the charging cable compartment to get the velco strap into, to secure the whole charging cable and transformer.

 

Thanks, didn't notice the slits. I'm actually more worried that my spare can slide around under the false floor. With its heft, I noticed that on day one. I'm looking for a plastic crate to wedge the spare in place.

I'll post it up if/when I find it.

 

Very nice!

Glad to see you have basically an entire kit happening there.
Just make sure to test the compressor often enough to ensure its always working how it should. Not everyone does that and sometimes end up in a bad position.

 

Just make sure to test the compressor often enough to ensure its always working how it should. Not everyone does that and sometimes end up in a bad position.

My preference is to just carry a good old-fashioned manual tire pump as a spare. It takes bloody forever to pump up a tire from nothing, but at least it's possible.

 

Got my Rubbermaid busboy tote

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

[ame]Amazon.com: Rubbermaid Commercial Products FG335100GRAY Standard Bus/Utility Box, 7.125 Gal, Gray: Industrial & Scientific

It's strong enough and the correct size to keep the donut spare from sliding around.

35005016012_aeb6298c23_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

 

Hit a pothole, so this thread just got more interesting.

Hit a pothole, and the right rear tire no longer holds air. Close enough to home to ride it in, but multiple times with air pump, rolling the car up/down driveway, and still does not hold air. I can hear air gushing out of the tire, but can not locate it, as it must be on inside rim area. This cancels tomorrow's early morning plans, and with dealer about 1/2 hour drive, I will be using local tire shop. So, brand new self sealing tire, lasted about a month. Will start looking for donut spare tomorrow.

 

Hit a pothole, and the right rear tire no longer holds air. Close enough to home to ride it in, but multiple times with air pump, rolling the car up/down driveway, and still does not hold air. I can hear air gushing out of the tire, but can not locate it, as it must be on inside rim area. This cancels tomorrow's early morning plans, and with dealer about 1/2 hour drive, I will be using local tire shop. So, brand new self sealing tire, lasted about a month. Will start looking for donut spare tomorrow.

The self sealing feature is only in the tread area, so if you got sidewall damage there is no self seal there. Let us know what the tire shop finds.

 

So, does anyone know from real-life sources if the Volt 2016-2017 donut will fit the Bolt?

 

Ended up at local dealer as I wanted OEM replacement. No OEM tires to be found in this county from shops or dealers. Dealer said on "back order" with no indicated receipt date. Substituted tire, Michelin Energy Saver A/S, but without SelfSeal. It will be my spare if/when OEM with SelfSeal comes in, or someone wants to send to me one! Anyway it was sidewall damage to the tire, no fix available. Something gouged inside sidewall, just above rim. Actually in Michelin Man's armpit. It appears that Michelin did not foresee a lot of sales.

 

Thanks for letting us know what the deal was. That sucks that not even Chevy dealers can get you an exact replacement! Flats are going to happen. Of all the replacement parts they should stock, that would be the one. Maybe that's why the roll out has been slow, they can't get enough tires! :laugh:

 

The OEM tire looks to be available on Tirerack.com

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Energy+Saver+A%2FS&partnum=15HR7ESASV2&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=2017&autoModel=Bolt%20EV&autoModClar=

 

OEM Tire has SelfSeal

That is the tire I purchased, has the same nomenclature and size as OEM, but does not have SelfSeal properties. Check the Michelin website for description of OEM for Bolt EV.

 

Check the link again. Did you purchase this one?
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Energy+Saver+A%2FS&partnum=15HR7ESASV2

This one?
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Energy+Saver+A%2FS&partnum=15HR7ESAS

Or this one?
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Energy+Saver+A%2FS&partnum=15VR7ESAS

They sell Bolt EV, Volt and generic versions of the Energy Saver A/S tires. The Bolt EV version has Selfseal.

 

I don't see it.

Nice tires all. But I don't see any reference to SelfSeal. Go look at your OEM tires, see the little SelfSeal logo? Michelin evidently also responded to GM's request for a particular blend of material for the tire itself. It appears many tires will fit a Bolt. Thank you for the links, I could have saved some money v. dealer prices.

 

Help me understand your logic. Do you think the Bolt-specific tire that Tire Rack sells only has the tire compound that GM wanted for the Bolt but does not include the Selfseal? Why would Michelin make and sell a Bolt-specific tire and not include the Selfseal? I don't know what market that would serve, other than Bolt owners that have decided to purchase the accessory tire inflator kit.

For reference, here's an article that mentions the unique compound and self-sealing technology in the Bolt EV-specific Michelin tires.
https://www.wired.com/2016/05/hidden-battle-make-perfect-tires-electric-car-divas/

 

Today I ran over a tire balancing weight. Needless to say with 3/4 of it stuck into the tire it went
flat quickly. Had to wait an hour for a flatbed truck to haul it home where we took off the tire and took it to the tire shop.
This place is great when it comes to fixing tires, they very often put a patch on the inside to seal the leak.
Because of the self sealing crap in the tire they were not able to do that so I am waiting for my new $185 tire to show up tomorrow. If there was a choice I would not get self sealing tires again.
If I get another flat I will simply replace all of these crappy tires for some decent tires.

 

...So maybe there is a market for the Bolt-specific tire compound but without the Selfseal. I think the Selfseal adds 2-3 lbs to each tire.

 

Isn't that exactly what Tire Rack is selling now? I think it is.

 

Yep, that's the question--Does the Bolt-specific tire that TR sells include the Selfseal?

 

There is a good option for having a donut style spare tire (which nicely fits "under" the rear trunk area) for the Bolt. I'd bought a Cruze donut spare wheel, a tire that, combined with the Cruze wheel, closely matches the correct diameter of the car's original wheel /tire diameter (which is important). Look at my earlier postings for exact details. If not, I can be contacted directly by email.

My wife and I feel much more comfortable with the Bolt, going on 200 plus mile trips, and having a spare tire, jack and details from Chevrolet on where to correctly jack the car, in the "trunk".

Best,
Oldskybolt

 

are you saying 2 different tire donughts go on front or rear ?
what size donight is for spare
does chevy sell donught ?

 

are you saying 2 different tire donughts go on front or rear ?

With a donut spare, when you have a flat on one of the front tires the recommendation is to mount the donut on the rear tire and move the rear tire to the front to replace the flat.

 

Stock tires perform terribly. IDK how anyone can stand them.
I purchased Nokie WRG3/s and not my car drives like a sports car, better than my old BWM.
EXCELLENT for : sharp turns, wet, ice, snow, sluch.

Mavis will price match any online price.
ask for 8 bucks install/balance and 12 dollar tire insurance.
I got mine for 148 each before the items listed above.

WHAT WAS I WAITING FOR

 

^ the WRG3/s "all-season" tires get very good reviews... even in snow.

I'll probably give them a try once my OEM tires wear out.

Any loss of range with them?