Can I use a space saver tire,I don't have run flats?Which one would work?

 

My C5 does not have run flats.My wife and I are planning a longer than usual trip.Is there a space saver tire that would fit on the C5,for only a short distance of course

 

I've never heard of anyone using one of those donut spares. I'm wondering if you put one on if it would even touch the ground?

 

Not sure what space saver spare would work the best; maybe one from a later GTO?? You would have to do a fitment check to make sure it would bolt on to either the front or rear hub.

But storage would be another issue. There is no real place to secure a spare and youo would also need a low-profile jack and tools. So all of this would take up storage space. You should consider how much luggage you would take on your trip and determine how much room there is in the car. And if you do have a flat, a spare can get you rolling again but then consider you have to put the road wheel/tire in the storage area. A rear wheel/tire will be about twice the size of a spare.

The C5 Z06 didn't come with runflats. GM provided a can of sealer and a small electric air compressor. For something like a puncture (nail, screw, etc.) that worked fine. You may want to get a can of Slime and a small 12v compressor. That and a cell phone and credit card would be all you need.

 

If you are on trip, your cargo area may be full of stuff. Where would you put the flat tire after you put the space saver on?

Put a kit together. Cordless compressor, plug kit and can of Slime inflator/sealer. That way you have some options..

 

The are perfect for this sort of thing:




One of those and a slime can will make you feel safe!

 

AAA not to expensive.

 

We had AAA a few years ago. My wife's starter went out and it took over two hours for them to come. Had it been a flat on the freeway and it took that long, it could have been a nightmare.

 

If you have working TPMS, an air compressor, tire plug kit, and slime, you should be good to go. I've driven 90,000+ miles on my Z06 with non run flats. I've had two punctures during that time. Only used the compressor to get to a repair shop.

Drove over 100 miles the one time due to puncture in sidewall and knew tire needed replacement. Had to stop a couple times along the way but no major issue.

I did a 5,000 mile trip to Utah from Michigan. The only repair along the way was a turn signal bulb. Don't over think the tires. Make sure they are good before the trip. If they are marginal, replace before the trip.

 

I have normal tires, non run flats, and made a flat kit to carry, as suggested. I don't consider the flat tire risk worth troubling about, modern tires with multiple steel belts are pretty tough, and worth the trade off verses the run flat , which are not exactly a free ride either.
I have no spare, no crank start and don't adjust the spark with a lever, I'm all moderned up.

I can fully understand your concern when on a road trip with a passenger, but I think you are not looking past your concerns and seeing the entire picture. I am, in fact , planning to upgrade my AAA to longer towing before I start road tripping because qualified mechanics are hard to find, not for tires.

If you get a flat, you must have a jack that will fit. I don't ,my car is lowered, I count on re inflating the damaged tire with sealant or calling AAA.

I also checked my tire pump, and my original purchase was marginal , to the point of probably worthless in adverse conditions , as it was slow and tended to get hot with the big tires. I think it was a vibrating reed type, and probably would work for a small tire, I replaced it with a small piston type, it still gets vey hot with the work, but doesn't go into thermal shut off before the tire is up. I think unless you get a kit from the dealer, most flat repair kits will be undersized for a corvette tire, since price is more of an issue down at target than specs.

I pictured myself on the side of a dark road in a cold rain dealing with a modified aquarium air pump rebadged as emergency flat repair and having the thing cut off and on from heat, and almost overcoming the slow leak before it shuts off again.

There are threads around about guys getting a gto spare, but as long as you can get off the road, you are fine. Bumper jacks and spares are older solutions to a problem that might have been done differently if they had portable little air pumps and sealant available back then. I know for myself, when I used to run an antique car with inner tubes and got a few flats, I was happy I could use spare tire in a can and drive home instead of getting off work tired and having to drag out all the stuff and change a tire, even with knock offs. Also much faster, a big advantage if you are on the side of a high speed road and need to lessen your exposure to possible accidents. Disadvantage, make sure the sealant is pressure sender safe and you must take the tire to a repair shop for repair, or it will damage a chrome wheel.

I hope all that provides some insight from an angle you might not have considered, and wish you a good trip.

 

When a I bought mine new back in 2004 the idea of no spare kinda concerned me. Now 2017 and 107,000 miles and the only tire issue I've ever had was some SOB once stole all of them!

 

Did they do any damage when they jacked it up?

 

Plus, consider either AAA coverage or add emergency road service to your auto insurance policy.

 

Or you can just call 911. Might be quicker than AAA in an emergency.

 

Yep, I think it was about $700 repair and paint rocker panels.

As I recall, total cost including repairs, rims, hub caps, lug nuts. TPm and tires was about 6 grand.

 

SOB!
Some people suck!

It would be hard to find a spare for the C5, I would think you need two as the fronts and rears are different diameters.
I've had GREAT luck with AAA.