Spare Tire Concerns with 2ss model:

[Roger Vest]

The 2ss package apparently comes without spare, but GM provides a sealant kit and an "inflating device". I have no details of these provided items. If you want a real spare one must order the N65 option, and that only provides a compact spare wheel with tire. Now the issue, (1) when you have a flat one must use this sealant kit and inflating device. I am not up for that, and if you purchase the compact spare option N65, the trouble starts. You cannot run a small compact spare tire with the original 275x40R20 tire on a limited slip differential! Limited slip is standard on the 2SS. Is this the reason GM switched to the no spare and sealant kit as standard? Looks like one would have to buy a spare wheel and tire the correct size. Since the front and back are different wheel widths (front 8" and rear 9") will one spare fit both locations. Will the wider tire fit on the front, or will the front fit on the back as a spare? If anyone has a better explanation, or more thoughts, please post it.

[BC2002SS]

you'll get over it. I can't put a spare in my fiero and drive it any place I just have the best spare you can get AAA.

[08DICTS]

Originally Posted by BC2002SS

you'll get over it. I can't put a spare in my fiero and drive it any place I just have the best spare you can get AAA.

Yep...Sounds about right. I'd rather have sealant over a spare tire anyway. That sheds some weight.

[JasonD]

I don't think a spare will fit over the big brakes.

[Roger Vest]

A wheel with fit over the large brakes if you buy another original spare rim. The only question not answered is whether the front and back Wheels are interchangeable for the purpose of a spare?

[fast34me]

Aren't the tires run flats? I've never used them, but I'd imagine you'd have to destroy the tire, to not be able to run, say 40 mph, even with a flat.

[MetalDragon]

No, they're not...but I'm at least condisdering them as a replacement eventually.

[m1tankr]

Full size spares have died a quiet death over the years. The limited slip diff doesn't have anything to do with it. Bigger brakes, bigger wheels and tires, bigger costs, bigger weight (20's), and no room for a full size 20x9 tire combo are the reasons on the Camaro. You can use a 20x8 for the front and rear for a spare, but have fun carrying that thing in the trunk. I wonder if a set of drag radials for the track will fit through the trunk opening now?

[DiabloZ]

If you add the spare option there would be no problems using it... Yes it's compact in width, but the rim is big enough to clear the brakes, the doughnut is skinny enough it barely needs to get in the brake area anyway and it is the same diameter as the other tires so it is not a problem for the dif. and can be used on all 4 corners.

[seawolf06]

Same thing for the cobalt, fwiw. Not sure about other models.

[Malice 1]

corvette's have been doing the inflator/sealant gig for years. You don't hear those guys complaining.

Like it was mentioned earlier, spares have kinda just "gone away".

[Pruettfan]

Overall in the industry many manufac are getting rid of spares. Lots of reasons behind it actually. For the SS the reason is the size of the brakes in addition to the desire to drop some weight and perhaps cost. I know there have been some AAA studies on this phenomenon and overall the trend seems reasonable. With the advent of cell phones and onstar it is unlikely anyone will be out of reach of assistance in the event that they have a blowout that the inflator kit will not work on. Knock on wood I have not had a blow out for many years. The only tire problem I had was with my 04 GTO and had it had a tire pressure monitoring system it would have been a non issue. It had a nail in the tire and my wife drove it even though there was no pressure. Not good for the tire.

[NEWBIE T/A]

Originally Posted by seawolf06

Same thing for the cobalt, fwiw. Not sure about other models.

The spare on the Cobalt SS is a $ 75.00 option .

It will fit over the rear brakes, but not the fronts.

So, according to the manual, you get to do 2 tire changes if a front blows :

1. Put the spare on the rear , and
2. Put the old rear on the front

But, IMHO, that's a better choice than if a pothole or some other item Fubars your rim or tire and you have to wait for a tow.

Britt

[seawolf06]

You shouldn't put a spare doughnut on the drive wheels anyway, so that's probably done on purpose.