[Dimitrij]

Oh and the spare is from a 2012-16 Sonic. 5x105, with T115/70R16.

Looking at the pic, this is a donut, correct? The Bolt is the first car ever that came without a spare, and I know nothing about these things. I have read in a number of places that the Gen 2 Volt wheels are exactly the same as Bolt's, but does that mean that the standard 2016-2017 Volt donut would fit the Bolt?

 

[NY-Rob]

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

 

[timeToy]

(...)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.(...)

Can you take a picture of the compressor in the "spot dedicated to the GM inflator kit".

Thanks

 

[Dimitrij]

^ 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

 

[Sean Nelson]

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?

 

[tk1971]

Can you take a picture of the compressor in the "spot dedicated to the GM inflator kit".

Thanks

In the foam:
34282239354_bc91e35718_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

Close up:
35126752865_b9009176f2_o by tk_1971, on Flickr

 

[timeToy]

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.

 

[tk1971]

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.

 

[NY-Rob]

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

The rim may be compatible... but what is the assembled wheel/tire diameter?

The stock Bolt wheel/tire dia is 25.6", once you start over/undersizing the spare you have the potential to damage the vehicle- especially if the flat is on one of the drive wheels and you use the spare there rather than swapping with one of the still good rear tires and placing the spare at the rear.

One forum member came within 0.1" of the stock Bolt wheel/tire diameter by using a 2015 Chevy Cruze compact spare wheel with a 135/90R16 compact spare tire giving the combined overall diameter of 25.5 inches.
That seems like an ideal setup vs possibly several inches difference diameter with the Volt compact spare setup.

 

[DaV8or]

In the foam:
Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Close up:
Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

I like that it fits so well, however I am very suspicious of anything that comes from Harbor Freight as to it's quality, or actually doing what it's supposed to. Their quality control amounts to letting the consumer do the job and find the defective units. You didn't happen to test this pump did you? For a piece of equipment that is intended to get back on the road and not stranded, it would be nice to know that it actually works.

 

[eops]

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.

 

[tk1971]

I like that it fits so well, however I am very suspicious of anything that comes from Harbor Freight as to it's quality, or actually doing what it's supposed to. Their quality control amounts to letting the consumer do the job and find the defective units. You didn't happen to test this pump did you? For a piece of equipment that is intended to get back on the road and not stranded, it would be nice to know that it actually works.

Yep, that's SOP. Need to test everything before I trust it. That's everything. I've had plenty of name brand stuff fail too right out of the box.

 

[tk1971]

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

 

[DaV8or]

Yep, that's SOP. Need to test everything before I trust it. That's everything. I've had plenty of name brand stuff fail too right out of the box.

That's great. I'm considering getting one of these since I read the poster here that said they got a screw in the tire and the self sealing feature of our tires doesn't work all that great. I was concerned about the Harbor Freight unit (other than my general distrust of any of their offerings) because so many of the negative reviews said the unit could only go to 20-25 PSI and then it quit.

 

[Sean Nelson]

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.

 

[Richard Neilson]

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.

 

[DaV8or]

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.

 

[DaV8or]

That's great. I'm considering getting one of these since I read the poster here that said they got a screw in the tire and the self sealing feature of our tires doesn't work all that great. I was concerned about the Harbor Freight unit (other than my general distrust of any of their offerings) because so many of the negative reviews said the unit could only go to 20-25 PSI and then it quit.

[Update]

I have since held my nose and bought the 12v tire pump at Harbor Freight talked about above. I put it to the test. I parked my Bolt next to my home air compressor and let the air out of one tire. I then plugged the HF pump into the Bolt 12v power port and let 'er rip.

I am happy to report that the little $30 pump that could, reeking of Cosmoline from the Shenzhen Province, did the job!! I shut it off at 44 PSI showing on it's gauge. I then independently verified the pressure and found it was only off by about a pound from my trusted air pressure gauge. I will say it took awhile and really slowed down after about 25 PSI, but hey, it is pretty tiny. I would not buy this thing to pump up a full size pick up tire as I don't think it will ever make it. Emergency pump for the Bolt?

It's in my trunk now.

Just as posted above, it fits perfectly in the cavity provided in the foam thing many here seem to hate. I found if you just bore two holes in it to accommodate the feet on the pump, the cardboard lid fits flat again on the "tool kit" compartment. Otherwise it raises up a little. I'm weird that way. I like things to fit perfect.

Over all, I think it's a good, cheap emergency kit purchase just incase the self seal doesn't work. However it's just my opinion, so if any of you buy this thing and it bursts into flames by the side of the road, don't blame me! :laugh:

 

[jostafew]

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:

Untitled 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:

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Untitled 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.

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

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.

Nice work! Thank you for sharing your homework, I'm going to put together the same kit before I do any road tripping

 

[eops]

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.

Hence why i like the air compressors. Easier to come across them these days than before. Better yet you can buy a power pack that acts as a light, booster, compressor and all the essentials you need out on the road regardless of how far out your travel.