01-28-2011, 11:18 AM | #1 | |
Tattooed K9
Drives: E63AMG Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Germantown, MD
Posts: 278
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Camaro SS Spare Tire Options For Those Who Don't Know
I know there has been many seperate threads about this, but I want to pass along my wisdom for future questions about this.
What's the deal with the spare? If you have just bought a Camaro SS and looked in the truck you will notice that it doesn't come with a spare tire. It comes with an all-in-one air compressor and fix-a-flat setup secured in a foam disk under the trunk hatch. The SS model does not come from the dealership with a spare tire due to the size of the Brembo brakes it is equiped with. It's an offset issue between the standard GM supplied spare and the size of the brake calipers. However, the other Camaro models do come with one. Since they don't have the larger Brembo brakes they are not hindered from using the spare. So if you have a 1SS or 2SS model don't bother trying to fit a standard spare on it. It will not fit. Many parts departments at Chevy dealerships don't know this, or an not 100% informed on this. So, if you ask them they might not be able to give you a straight answer. I did and they were very vague and puzzled about it. So, now we have cleared this up...if you have a 1SS or 2SS car, the standard GM supplied spare tire will not fit. However, don't despair because their are some options. Tires do go flat, so don't hide your head in the sand and say, "ohhh it'll never happen to me." Knock on wood. Options: Yes, there is a vendor, Joe, on Ebay who sells a spare tire kit for the Camaro SS that uses a special spacer that will clear the brakes. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Spare...Q5fAccessories Your other choice is to carry a lightweight full-sized 20" wheel running a 245 tire from say Tire Rack. There are some lightweight wheels and cheap tires that you can get under $500. However, you will loose 1/2 of your trunk. But for long trips, this isn't a bad idea. Use your back seats for luggage if you must, but throw a spare back there and secure it. In the event of an accident you do NOT want a spare tire flying forward and hitting you. Please secure it for your own safety. There are a number of ways that you can strap one down in the trunk section. You just have to be a little creative. Why have a spare? Not having one in my opinion is just dumb. You cannot rely upon OnStar or AAA for save your butt if your tire goes flat. All they will do is send a flat-bed truck to get you and drop the car off at a dealership. Not all dealerships even stock our tires !!! Yep...I found two of them in the DC are that have to order them. That means you will have to grab a hotel room or rent a car and wait for the new tire. The can of fix-a-flat and the air compressor is a noble gesture, but it might not always work, and it's useles for any damage to the sidewall or any damage to the tire larger than a nail. Summary: The smart thing would be to buy this spare kit or get a cheap 20" setup from Rudy at Tire Rack. If you drive local, then no sweat, but for out-of-town or vacation trips...carry a spare.
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Regards,
John '11 2SS Black/Black M6 Prior Project Cars: 96 WS6, 96 Steeda Cobra, 93/74/99/01ZO6 Vettes, Supra Turbo, and BMW M3. Last edited by LYCAN; 01-28-2011 at 11:35 AM. |
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05-11-2011, 10:09 PM | #2 |
Drives: SLP ZL Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: McAllen, Texas
Posts: 13
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John, Thank you for providing the info on the spare tire options, and the link to a possible solution (even though "JOE" doesnt have any currently listed).
BTW, my '11 not only doesnt have a spare, the battery is mounted in the MIDDLE of the spare hole, not on the side. Is that normal? Thanks, jim |
05-12-2011, 05:07 AM | #3 | |
Drives: BLACK 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,092
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Quote:
See pics in post #24 http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141121
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05-12-2011, 08:04 AM | #4 |
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Plus if your out in the hills somewhere and can't get cell coverage, OnStar won't work anyway...
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Black 2SS ordered 1/4/2010, received 2/19/2010
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05-12-2011, 08:58 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2012 Cruze LTZ RS Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The Badger State
Posts: 564
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anyone know how the air compressor and tire sealent works and holds up? is it a proven product or a "feel safe" kit?
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05-19-2011, 02:25 PM | #6 |
Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl.
Posts: 8,110
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On trips I'm planning on putting an extra SS front tire/wheel I have in the trunk for a spare. As LYNCAN said, A donut spare or the inflate kit only gets you to a dealer or tire store which may not stock a replacement tire anyway.
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05-19-2011, 02:52 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2011 Camaro SS2 SW and IOM Stripes Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Baton Rouge, La
Posts: 58
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They could have still given us a tire tool and jack.
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06-01-2011, 06:53 AM | #8 |
Loves Big Block Power
Drives: 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Odenville,AL
Posts: 63
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Does this kit work on the rear of the car?
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David
2016 Hyper Blue 2SS |
06-01-2011, 06:57 AM | #9 |
Onstar uses Satellite, also.
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2SS/RS SIM w/ Sunroof Ordered 10/13 Built 5/15 Delivered 6/19 Picked-up 6/22 |
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06-01-2011, 07:27 AM | #10 |
n116
Drives: 2010 2SS YELLOW TRANSFORMER AUTO Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SAN ANGELO TX
Posts: 633
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I have the ebay guy spare tire setup. Fits nicely in the spare tire hole. Have not had to use yet and hope I never have to. Peace of mind! Peace of mind!! Peace of mind!!! Happy motoring.
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06-01-2011, 03:47 PM | #11 | |
Quote:
I ran on that for a few weeks with no leaking until the tire went out of round from the nail, which i still couldn't find. I had just been hit in that wheel a couple weeks earlier and the dealer was able to claim it as an additional repair... so new tire and new compressor for free \m/ However I'd definitely like to have a spare. From what I understand you have NO hopes of plugging a tire after you've put that fix a flat junk in it. After that your only hope is to rip the tire off, clean the hell out of the rim and then replace the tire.
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2010 IBM 2SS/RS - T BRUTAL Matte Black Bumblebee Stripes - Unpainted Heritage Grille - Blacked Out Bowties - Stainless Works S-Tube Catback - CAI, Inc. Cold Air Intake Whiteline Rear Cradle, Rear Differential, Front Radius Rod Bushings - BC Racing BR Coilovers - Installed by Whiteside Customs |
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06-02-2011, 11:29 AM | #12 |
376 cubic inches of fun
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I have a full size spare in the trunk. It is secured using the steel loops provided for securing wheels on non SS/RS cars. See Owner's Manual.
Of course, I also have a scissor jack, wheel chocks and a lug wrench. The trunk is pretty useless now. |
06-02-2011, 12:55 PM | #13 |
Drives: 2010 Black on Black Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 533
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Why not just buy run flat tires if you're paranoid?
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08-05-2011, 01:24 PM | #14 |
Drives: Rally Yellow 2SS Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1
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2SS Spare
I've seen several people say they've gotten their spare kit through Joe at ebay. The link John had listed is not active. How can I contact Joe in order to get a spare kit?
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