Spare Tire... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

tonyko1 · 07-03-2012, 07:09 AM

I have a 2012 2SS/RS convertible, IBM, with 20" Pin Zero tires. Love them, but nothing is perfect and the lack of a spare is disconcerting to say the least.

Read on some thread that the small spare available with some Camaros won't clear the Brembo brake calipers. Is that true. Also, I'm not sure that my car has a jack and lug wrench and if I could squeeze all in the trunk.

Does anyone know if the above is possible? I keep thinking of me on the side of the road with a hole in the tire so big that the inflation can being inserted into it would be the only way to affix a fix, such that it is. I just hate being in a fix....:(

ragtop11 · 07-03-2012, 07:26 AM

Said thing is on our 2SS/RS we do not have a spare only a small air compressor and fix a flat. No jack or lug wrench.
what I did was purchase a used 20" rim off of ebay (8x20 same as front) and then
a Cooper tire 245/45/20 (not a real expensive tire) when I go on a long trip I put the spare in the trunk facing down as then I can put some stuff inside the rim.
It takes up room put it's comforting to know that you have a full size spare that will work for the front or back.
I purshased the jack from the dealership that I brought the car from, thay gave me a discount, can't remember how much it was, but not expensive.
when just around town I leave the full spare at home, I still keep the air compressor
in the car and brought a tire plug kit, if I get a flat I can use the plug kit or
have someone pick up my spare from home. It's a PIA put I like the idea of the full size spare.

5cents · 07-03-2012, 07:27 AM

Kits are available that include a jack, spare tire, and the necessary "spacers" needed to clear the Brem's.

Your Camaro has a mini aircompressor in the trunk. In case of a flat, you just hook it up to the valve stem and it pumps a liguid goo into the flat tire that inflates and seals the leak. Kinda like Fix-a-flat in a can. That works fine if it's a small nail hole or something, anything bigger ..... well good luck.

1BADLS3 · 07-03-2012, 01:18 PM

Wouldn't you need to carry two spares? The upgraded RS/SS wheels are different sizes, front and rear, and then there's the issue of Pirelli's being a directional tire, so if the flat was on the wrong side of the car, you'd be running a tire backwards according to how it's siped.

It's not very comforting knowing that if I get a flat tire during the zombie apocalypse that I have to rely on runflat technology and a can of goo. An extra tire/wheel would be preferable, especially on a long road trip so I could just change and not worry about getting a new tire until I reached my destination....

ragtop11 · 07-03-2012, 03:23 PM

I checked it out with a tire dealer the fronts are 245/45/20 and the rears are
275/40/20, they are the same hieght, the only difference is the front wheels are 8" and rear are 9". The rear is a lower profile tire than the front.
You can use the spare 245/45/20 on any one of the corners.
I don't beleive the Pirelli's are directional, if they were they should have an arrow pointing for the forward direction. (like a motorcycle tire)
Also the owners manual says for the SS for tire rotation to just swap the fronts from
one side to the other, same goes for the rear. My dealer also confrimed this.
Even if the Pirelli's were directional you could still use it as a spare to get you home,
the worst thing is that you wear the tire out faster, Seen motorcycles tires mounted wrong, they wore out pretty fast.

1BADLS3 · 07-03-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragtop11

I checked it out with a tire dealer the fronts are 245/45/20 and the rears are
275/40/20, they are the same hieght, the only difference is the front wheels are 8" and rear are 9". The rear is a lower profile tire than the front.
You can use the spare 245/45/20 on any one of the corners.
I don't beleive the Pirelli's are directional, if they were they should have an arrow pointing for the forward direction. (like a motorcycle tire)
Also the owners manual says for the SS for tire rotation to just swap the fronts from
one side to the other, same goes for the rear. My dealer also confrimed this.
Even if the Pirelli's were directional you could still use it as a spare to get you home,
the worst thing is that you wear the tire out faster, Seen motorcycles tires mounted wrong, they wore out pretty fast.

Interesting...I had assumed the Pirellis were directional, but I guess not? I'll have to check when I get home.

MMC · 07-03-2012, 04:55 PM

I have one question, when did you last have a flat? I have been driving since 1976 and had one. But yes I think about it too, my 87 Silverado has 33" tires and no spare just like the SS. I'm Just playing the devils advocate here..

ragtop11 · 07-03-2012, 05:36 PM

I know whay you're saying, can't remember the last time I had a flat, but did have a nail in the tire a couple of times that I just happened to see before hand.
I did go the route with the spare because with my luck, if I didn't have one the first trip that I went on, guess what, I'd have a flat.
Now with the spare, I'll probably never get one.

clg_98ta · 07-03-2012, 05:58 PM

The PZeros are not directional... and you can rotate them left to right.

You can buy an 18" wheel and donut tire which will fit over the battery, under the mat in the trunk. A scissors jack and lug wrench will also fit beside the battery. Then all you need is a 1.75" lugged spacer to go between the hub and spare - this even clears the roller skate style weights on the front pads if your car has them.. There are several threads (that you can find with a search of this forum) with reviews on kits you can buy that include everything for around $400.

The compressor is very small, so if you get a spare you can keep the compressor in the trunk in case you have a slow leak.

I bought a kit on EBay and have not yet had to use it, but its comforting to know I have it.

nealdiwes · 07-03-2012, 06:31 PM

Thats why I got the dealer to put a spare, jack, lug wrench and all the hardware in the trunk or NO SALE.

djm96z28 · 07-05-2012, 10:12 AM

I found 2 screws on separate occasions sticking out of my front tire (luckily neither punctured the tire), so I didn't want to take any more chances. I bought a used stock front rim from a member here. Then went to the dealer to get the jack, lug wrench, foam container, and bought a new Cooper Zeon RS3-S tire to mount on the rim. Like the P Zeros, it's non-directional, only being labeled "Outside" on the sidewall. Threw all that in my trunk so now if I get a flat in the front or rear, I can change it and continue on.

ZED SLED · 07-05-2012, 11:09 AM

This is the guy that does the kits with the spacer.
dumars14892@yahoo.com

So Cal Camaro · 07-05-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMC

I have one question, when did you last have a flat? I have been driving since 1976 and had one. But yes I think about it too, my 87 Silverado has 33" tires and no spare just like the SS. I'm Just playing the devils advocate here..

If your near home, not as big of an issue. However it seems most tires stores no longer stock a lot of tires, especially in these sizes and brands, so it can take from a few hours to days to get one shipped to where you're at. Not to mention you now have to get towed to a tire shop or dealer, so if you have a front flat, its gonna be interesting getting it on a flatbed tow, since these cars barely make it on with fully inflated tires....the other side of your devils advocate argument...

myold88 · 07-06-2012, 10:12 AM

I got a flat on my Impala on I-95 @ 4:00 AM inside the Baltimore Md tunnel last year.
The donut spare was only good for getting me off the interstate as it's
rated at 50 MPH MAX !
That's why on long trips I strap down a full front tire & wheel in the trunk of my SS.

07-03-2012, 07:09 AM	#1
tonyko1 Banned Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible, IBM Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,015	Spare Tire... I have a 2012 2SS/RS convertible, IBM, with 20" Pin Zero tires. Love them, but nothing is perfect and the lack of a spare is disconcerting to say the least. Read on some thread that the small spare available with some Camaros won't clear the Brembo brake calipers. Is that true. Also, I'm not sure that my car has a jack and lug wrench and if I could squeeze all in the trunk. Does anyone know if the above is possible? I keep thinking of me on the side of the road with a hole in the tire so big that the inflation can being inserted into it would be the only way to affix a fix, such that it is. I just hate being in a fix....:(

07-03-2012, 07:26 AM	#2
ragtop11 Drives: 2012 SS/RS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Oconomowoc, Wi Posts: 147	Said thing is on our 2SS/RS we do not have a spare only a small air compressor and fix a flat. No jack or lug wrench. what I did was purchase a used 20" rim off of ebay (8x20 same as front) and then a Cooper tire 245/45/20 (not a real expensive tire) when I go on a long trip I put the spare in the trunk facing down as then I can put some stuff inside the rim. It takes up room put it's comforting to know that you have a full size spare that will work for the front or back. I purshased the jack from the dealership that I brought the car from, thay gave me a discount, can't remember how much it was, but not expensive. when just around town I leave the full spare at home, I still keep the air compressor in the car and brought a tire plug kit, if I get a flat I can use the plug kit or have someone pick up my spare from home. It's a PIA put I like the idea of the full size spare. __________________ 2012 Camaro SS/RS Black and Black. added Solo Performance "J" pipes

07-03-2012, 03:23 PM	#5
ragtop11 Drives: 2012 SS/RS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Oconomowoc, Wi Posts: 147	I checked it out with a tire dealer the fronts are 245/45/20 and the rears are 275/40/20, they are the same hieght, the only difference is the front wheels are 8" and rear are 9". The rear is a lower profile tire than the front. You can use the spare 245/45/20 on any one of the corners. I don't beleive the Pirelli's are directional, if they were they should have an arrow pointing for the forward direction. (like a motorcycle tire) Also the owners manual says for the SS for tire rotation to just swap the fronts from one side to the other, same goes for the rear. My dealer also confrimed this. Even if the Pirelli's were directional you could still use it as a spare to get you home, the worst thing is that you wear the tire out faster, Seen motorcycles tires mounted wrong, they wore out pretty fast. __________________ 2012 Camaro SS/RS Black and Black. added Solo Performance "J" pipes

07-03-2012, 04:55 PM	#7
MMC Drives: CGM 2SS/RS, 1987 & 2014 Silverado Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 1,012	I have one question, when did you last have a flat? I have been driving since 1976 and had one. But yes I think about it too, my 87 Silverado has 33" tires and no spare just like the SS. I'm Just playing the devils advocate here.. __________________

07-03-2012, 05:36 PM	#8
ragtop11 Drives: 2012 SS/RS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Oconomowoc, Wi Posts: 147	I know whay you're saying, can't remember the last time I had a flat, but did have a nail in the tire a couple of times that I just happened to see before hand. I did go the route with the spare because with my luck, if I didn't have one the first trip that I went on, guess what, I'd have a flat. Now with the spare, I'll probably never get one. __________________ 2012 Camaro SS/RS Black and Black. added Solo Performance "J" pipes

07-03-2012, 07:27 AM	#3
5cents Dave Drives: 2011 Camaro SS - Black/CGM Stripes Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 437	Kits are available that include a jack, spare tire, and the necessary "spacers" needed to clear the Brem's. Your Camaro has a mini aircompressor in the trunk. In case of a flat, you just hook it up to the valve stem and it pumps a liguid goo into the flat tire that inflates and seals the leak. Kinda like Fix-a-flat in a can. That works fine if it's a small nail hole or something, anything bigger ..... well good luck.

07-03-2012, 01:18 PM	#4
1BADLS3 Drives: Sold: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: United States Posts: 1,896	Wouldn't you need to carry two spares? The upgraded RS/SS wheels are different sizes, front and rear, and then there's the issue of Pirelli's being a directional tire, so if the flat was on the wrong side of the car, you'd be running a tire backwards according to how it's siped. It's not very comforting knowing that if I get a flat tire during the zombie apocalypse that I have to rely on runflat technology and a can of goo. An extra tire/wheel would be preferable, especially on a long road trip so I could just change and not worry about getting a new tire until I reached my destination....

07-03-2012, 05:58 PM	#9
clg_98ta Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,698 View My Garage	The PZeros are not directional... and you can rotate them left to right. You can buy an 18" wheel and donut tire which will fit over the battery, under the mat in the trunk. A scissors jack and lug wrench will also fit beside the battery. Then all you need is a 1.75" lugged spacer to go between the hub and spare - this even clears the roller skate style weights on the front pads if your car has them.. There are several threads (that you can find with a search of this forum) with reviews on kits you can buy that include everything for around $400. The compressor is very small, so if you get a spare you can keep the compressor in the trunk in case you have a slow leak. I bought a kit on EBay and have not yet had to use it, but its comforting to know I have it. __________________ Black 2SS ordered 1/4/2010, received 2/19/2010

07-03-2012, 06:31 PM	#10
nealdiwes Drives: 2011 camaro ls Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: lafayette, la Posts: 219	Thats why I got the dealer to put a spare, jack, lug wrench and all the hardware in the trunk or NO SALE.

07-05-2012, 10:12 AM	#11
djm96z28 Drives: 2012 Camaro 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 1,114	I found 2 screws on separate occasions sticking out of my front tire (luckily neither punctured the tire), so I didn't want to take any more chances. I bought a used stock front rim from a member here. Then went to the dealer to get the jack, lug wrench, foam container, and bought a new Cooper Zeon RS3-S tire to mount on the rim. Like the P Zeros, it's non-directional, only being labeled "Outside" on the sidewall. Threw all that in my trunk so now if I get a flat in the front or rear, I can change it and continue on. Last edited by djm96z28; 07-06-2012 at 11:39 AM.

07-05-2012, 11:09 AM	#12
ZED SLED Drives: 2017 Mosaic Bk ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South of Raleigh, NC Posts: 9,477 View My Garage	This is the guy that does the kits with the spacer. dumars14892@yahoo.com __________________

07-06-2012, 10:12 AM	#14
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,112 View My Garage	I got a flat on my Impala on I-95 @ 4:00 AM inside the Baltimore Md tunnel last year. The donut spare was only good for getting me off the interstate as it's rated at 50 MPH MAX ! That's why on long trips I strap down a full front tire & wheel in the trunk of my SS. __________________