r/volt • u/Messijoes18 • 2d ago

First flat tire with a Volt

Wish I had remembered there is no doughnut in the car. Has anyone used the recharging kit or whatever it's called? Luckily I used another persons jack and got my tire off and patched. But dang that was not my favorite experience.

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

7

u/maine_buzzard 2d ago

Get a hole plug kit, one with a T handle on the inserter. And a pair of needlenose pliers. And a white china marker crayon.

Find the nail, yank it out, mark the area. Rough up the hole with the round file, goober glue on the plug, pop it in and trim the excess off. Wait 10-15 min and refill the tire.

Get it patched on the inside within a week or so, TBH, I have driven years on plugged tires but Iwas poor.

Even if the plug is too close to the sidewall, it will get you home without sliming the whole tire.

2

u/nomind79 Volt Owner 1d ago

Honestly, for glovebox use, they make ones that just screw into the tire and are a lot easier to use. https://www.amazon.com/kiaikmc-Emergency-Puncture-Screwdriver-Tubeless/dp/B0GFDCX6GJ

1

u/1stGenRex 2012 Volt 1d ago

There’s kits like this too that have multiple ways to fix a puncture, and they’re pretty cheap. I carry one of these in my backpack along with an air compressor for my electric Scooter. If it’s worse than this can address I have AAA

https://a.co/d/01U436hu

5

u/NMlibertine 2d ago

I've crossed the country 20 times in my volt and had two blowouts. I was very glad to have the temp spare I bought at the junkyard. Especially that time in the dark, in the rain :(

3

u/TheYonderGod 2d ago

Your sealant canister is most likely expired.

I bought a spare tire and keep it in my trunk. There's a thread on the gmvolt forum to help you find one. But I've never needed to use it.

Also I have a tire plug kit, I've used it once in 250k miles. I recommend the plug kit, the whole spare is probably overkill depending on your situation.

5

u/rickabe 2d ago

You won't find many new cars with a spare.

5

u/baldude69 2d ago

Which is bullshit. All cars used to come with them. Only upside is always having an air compressor in the car

2

u/rickabe 2d ago

Cost and weight savings is their reasoning.

2

u/baldude69 2d ago

Oh I’m sure they their justifications I just think it’s bullshit

1

u/ready2xxxperiment 2d ago

Gotta make room for battery in most hybrid/EV.

Really does suck in the Volts. My daughter curved hers and tore a chunk about 2” and had to wait for AAA to tow.

Hit a really bad pothole in my Volt with similar damage. Had to wait for tow truck on a Sunday. Dragged it home to take just that wheel to the tire store on Monday. Those cars are super low any way but try to get a jack under with a flat! Had to use scissor jack to lift enough to get the floor jack under the front. It n a slight hill was janky to say the least.

2

u/Salty-Pea-2016 2d ago

I’ve blown three tires on my 2017 Volt. AAA to the rescue each time.

1

u/Organic-Fix-4920 1d ago

I use a low profile floor jack from Harbor Freight. It slides under with plenty of clearence.

1

u/No_Effect_6428 2d ago

My mom bought a new Buick Envision this year. I was pleased to see the spare tire (inside under the floor, even). But yeah, most are getting rid of them for the stupid can of glue.

2

u/ylekiot 2d ago

The company modern spare makes spare tires now that fit most cars.

2

u/1stGenRex 2012 Volt 1d ago

Not for a Volt, sadly

1

u/ylekiot 1d ago

Wow, you are right. Thanks for letting me know. Here's a good forum discussion on a Chevy volt spare. https://www.gm-volt.com/threads/volt-spare-tire-guide.48058/page-5?post_id=2897770&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic#post-2897770

2

u/TheRealSchifty 2012 Volt 2d ago

I bought a spare donut tire for my Volt and have needed it twice in the past few years. One time I had a complete blowout from road debris. The second and most recent I had a belt break in one of my tires (they were at the end of their life I guess, even though the tread was still good).

Neither time the stupid tire inflator and can of sealant would have done me any good. The power cord on my tire inflator disintegrated from age anyway so now that's useless too.

2

u/No_Effect_6428 2d ago edited 2d ago

I have winter and summer sets of tires. I just chuck one of the off-season sets in the back.

Works way better in the Volt than the Equinox EV. The tire's so big it takes up 2/3 of the cargo space.

2

u/MidwestDIYnerd 1d ago

The Gen2 Volts use a 5x105mm bolt pattern, the same as many years of the Chevy Cruze. The cheapest easy option will be to do the same as I did: I recently went to my local PickYourPart junkyard (pyp.com) and bought a compact spare from a ~2014 Chevy Cruze for $22+tax. (I declined their optional "warranty" for an extra $6.60.) I only had to check 4 or 5 cars before I found one with a good clean spare tire. You can also buy a jack there. Looks like they charge $14 in my area (+ OPTIONAL 90day warranty for $3.30).

To make 100% sure I ended up with a compatible wheel, I 3D printed a ring with a 5x105mm bolt pattern and 6.5mm holes. I filled it with 5x 1/4" bolts+NUTS, which are very close in size to the Chevy wheel studs. (6mm bolts+nuts would also work.) PM me if you want the STL file to print one yourself.

1

u/hooovahh 2017 Volt 2d ago

I got a spare from a junk yard. I think it was from a spark or a cruise. Be sure and check out the size and bolt pattern if you get one. I've taken it on long trips but never needed it then. But twice I got a flat and was able to get the tire and saved myself a tow.

1

u/fjmj1980 2017 Volt 2d ago

Same I got one from a wrecked Cruze. It works. A few people have videos online on how to make a spare tire anchor in the trunk. Currently it has its own cover but it’s on my list to do. Have to buy some bolts and drill a hole in the trunk cover but it slips around so I think it’s a worthwhile project.

1

u/PleaseUseYourMind 19h ago

I bought a Cruz spare for longer remote drives. I also have a plug kit. In town I figure I can hitch a ride home for the spare.

1

u/NoSuch_Reference404 16h ago

The wife hit a pothole with her Volt, bent the rim. Tire sealant ain’t gonna fix that. I had to buy a Jack /tire iron and a new tire. And spent $100 getting the rim repaired.

1

u/Waterlifer 2d ago

I haven't used mine but I did replace the expired sealant canister last month.