[Sledgehammer70]

Has anyone used these kits before? I assume this is the same thing within the Vette? The joys of running run flats is you most likely never need a spare

[bhavyas]

I have never used them... Do they offer anty adavantage at all...except for the fact that there is less weight...

[laborsmith]

Space savings.

Laborsmith

[Number 3]

Saves weight, cost and lets you have a smaller trunk that won't hold a spare. Of course I don't think you can get the 20" wheel/tire in a Gen5 today either.

Corvette uses run flat tires so that is not the same situation.

On my SS, the full size spare (with aluminium wheel) was an extra cost option. Without it.......you get an inflator kit.

I believe several Cadillacs use the inflator kit as well.

And this does pretty much zero if you have a damaged sidewall. Only good if you have a puncture in the tread.

The Audi Q5 we had had a full size spare, but it was done is such a way that the you had to inflate that, so you it needed an inflator, but didn't require the sealant.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Sledgehammer70

Has anyone used these kits before? I assume this is the same thing within the Vette? The joys of running run flats is you most likely never need a spare

It's the same as a 5th Gen SS too. No changes

[SSport16]

I don't think the owners manual is very acurate, doubt there will be an inflator kit, not needed if there are run flats. I read most of the manual last night, but it does say 1st print, so I am sure the ones comung with our cars will be revised.

[Android42019]

Not exciting at all. These things are poop, once you use that stuff places won't wanna touch your tire for a plug/patch and turn you away.

[VenomZ302]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Of course I don't think you can get the 20" wheel/tire in a Gen5 today either.

I've done it once with a front wheel. It wasn't super fun. The rear wheel may not fit at all.

[HDRDTD]

The story I was told regarding the Gen5 spare tire (or not) was that the tire well was designed to hold the base model 18" wheel/tire. The optional 20" wheel/tire does not fit in the same wheel well in the trunk, thus no spare when the car is equipped with the 20" wheel/tire. Instead they give you the inflator kit.

[laborsmith]

I recall the 18" equipped LTs also got no spare tire, did get the inflator kit, and there was space enough for the not included donut.

Laborsmith

[Mark114]

I have a 2013 2LT/RS with the 20" wheels and factory spare tire. The factory spare was an option for the V6 cars. The issue with the factory spare on the 5th Gen Camaro was that it wouldn't fit the Brembo brakes on the SS without a spacer.

[laborsmith]

That's it. I was racking my brain trying to remember why the space was there but filled with Styrofoam.

Laborsmith

[jaymsu]

C5 Corvettes came with Run flat tires without tire sealant/inflator kit.
C5 Z06s came with Non Run flat tires without spare tire, so they came with these kits.


I don't know about C7, but C6 didn't come with these kits either.

[Indydriver]

Here's an entry from my journal last month:

Well, it finally happened, and let me tell you, it ain't no fun.

I always leave the DIC on the TPMS screen because I'm a bit anal about my tire pressures. I was parked at a place 22 miles from home. The left rear, which had been at 36 like the others showed 30 on start up. I clearly had a puncture.

So, the question you have to ask yourself is, what do I do now? I wanted to get home because that's where my second set of wheels and tires are stored. So, I set off cautiously at first and the pressure held at 30. I got a bit overconfident and took it out on the highway--the fastest way home. I got about 5 miles from my house when all 30 psi suddenly went "poof"

I limped off a nearby exit and stopped. As you know, there is no spare, only a compressor with a canister of goo. I thought through my options and decided to try the goo. It didn't work. I tried everything, even rolling the car forward and back while the compressor was running to try to spread the goo. No dice. I thought about getting towed but with my custom wheels and lugs, getting home was the only place that could solve the problem. So, I secured the car as best I could and had the wife pick me up, bring me home where I gathered the spare wheel/tire and all my tire changing tools. That round trip took an hour. By the time I got back to my Camaro, there was a state trooper there with the INDOT emergency service van. They were preparing to tow it but since I showed up with everything to fix it, the trooper just said, "then let's get it fixed and get it out of here".

So, the cop made us a safe work area by blocking half a lane with his lights on and the INDOT guy jacked the car and with his speed wrench had the wheel changed in no time. I got the car home fine and took the damaged tire to Discount Tire (who guarantees no damage on wide custom wheels) for repair. It turns out the tire was ruined and it's going to cost me about $220 to replace plus clean all the goo out of the wheel.

It turns out the damage to the tire from the puncture was so close to the shoulder that it was not repairable. However, had it been, I would have unnecessarily ruined the tire by attempting to drive on it. I guess the moral of this story is, when you see a pressure loss indicating a puncture, PARK IT, then seek a resolution. Frankly, I don't know what I would do if I was out of town. Not having even a mini-spare is a PITA.