Modern Spare
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 389
Likes: 25
I encourage you to take a rasp, plug tool etc and try use them on an installed C5 tire. There is insufficient room between the tire and fender well or tire and rocker to install a plug. The tool either does not fit nor is there sufficient leverage available to remove the object and then rasp and install the plug. Removing the tire makes this possible.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,068
Likes: 7,387
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
It's less than 1mm difference across the pattern. I wouldn't run a permanent set of wheels that way and yes some do but we're just trying to get to safety and or a repair facility. It's not going to snap off and kill a bus full of nuns because of that. That being said, there a lot of people that won't run it and that's fine.
I also agree with those who mentioned earlier if you're going to run a GTO spare to try and put a taller tire on it to match the rear.
IIRC there are a bunch of threads on this very topic out there already.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
I encourage you to take a rasp, plug tool etc and try use them on an installed C5 tire. There is insufficient room between the tire and fender well or tire and rocker to install a plug. The tool either does not fit nor is there sufficient leverage available to remove the object and then rasp and install the plug. Removing the tire makes this possible.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,414
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
Great info
I always carry the fix-a-flat and a cell phone.
But I take an occasional road trip out to deep west and South TX. May put together a spare kit just for that.
Safety in event of an accident from stuff flying around: will look at how to strap them down. there are a few hooks/pegs in the back of the C5 iirc. this is a definitely a concern of mine.
I always carry the fix-a-flat and a cell phone.
But I take an occasional road trip out to deep west and South TX. May put together a spare kit just for that.
Safety in event of an accident from stuff flying around: will look at how to strap them down. there are a few hooks/pegs in the back of the C5 iirc. this is a definitely a concern of mine.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 113
Likes: 21
From: Phoenix, AZ
So...for a measly $128 per month / $1536 per year, I can rent a satellite phone, and still potentially be stranded for hours waiting for roadside assistance, OR...I can throw my kit into the trunk, change my tire in 15 minutes and be safely along my way. Simple choice for me. YMMV
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,068
Likes: 7,387
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I swear some in here are either helpless or lazy or a combination of both. Maybe don't want to get your hands dirty either?
Running spare safely in a C5 is not rocket science.
I guess I'm one of those guys that doesn't like to ask for help. Almost to the point of it being a detriment.
Running spare safely in a C5 is not rocket science.
I guess I'm one of those guys that doesn't like to ask for help. Almost to the point of it being a detriment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Quite frankly, I would not do a long road trip in my C5 any more, as it will be 22 years old this year. Just too many things way past their sell by dates. I still enjoy it locally and for short trips, but for our last few longish road trips, we took our other car - under warranty (including roadside assistance), super quiet and very comfortable - especially the seats which we found were good for 400 mile hops per day, no aches, pains, etc. Arrived calm and relaxed - not tired, no stress. Only thing I did in prep was to replace the "donut" with a full size spare from Tire Rack, just in case.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
I bought 2 PT Cruiser Jack's at a self serve salvage yard, they were like 4 bucks each, the handle that spins the jack also is a lug wrench, honestly I forgot if it fits the C5 lug nuts.
Was going to let the air out of a tire and see if I could jack C5 with PT cruiser Jack and jacking puck, however I've procrastinated and this was if I go non run flats on next set of tires.
I have used the PT Cruiser jacks working on other cars in the driveway(breakjob on gf's car) because I didn't want to drag out floor jack (had to move stuff in garage to get to them, ) and they lift pretty quick and seem pretty stable, it looked like a PT cruiser Jack would fit into one of the storage things in C5.
I got the idea from someone else here on Corvette Forum.
Was going to let the air out of a tire and see if I could jack C5 with PT cruiser Jack and jacking puck, however I've procrastinated and this was if I go non run flats on next set of tires.
I have used the PT Cruiser jacks working on other cars in the driveway(breakjob on gf's car) because I didn't want to drag out floor jack (had to move stuff in garage to get to them, ) and they lift pretty quick and seem pretty stable, it looked like a PT cruiser Jack would fit into one of the storage things in C5.
I got the idea from someone else here on Corvette Forum.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
PT Cruiser Jack and handle/lug wrench.
I verified the lug wrench part fits my 1999 C5 wheel lock tool(same size as lug nuts)
Also remember, if the jack was too high to get under jacking puck, a small piece of wood like a 2 by 6 could carefully be driven onto by the flat tire to add clearance?
Have a good portable tire inflator, tire repair kit with those rubber rope plugs and tools to put it in hole, good chance it could get you back on the road.
Now I have never fixed a actual flat tire on a vehicle by putting in plugs, just put on spare tires, etc.
Tons of PT Cruiser cars at the junkyards to get the jack and handle/lug wrench from, should be cheap like 5 bucks max.
Last edited by 1999corvettels1; Jan 31, 2019 at 02:56 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
Actually I was just wondering if the PT Cruiser Jack lift point would be stable/safe with a lifting puck, because on regular cars you put it on the "lip" of sheet metal frame at the designated lift points, it has the groove in the lift point of jack?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 110
Likes: 6
From: SC
I shall have the emergency repaire pack and a few cans of tier gook w/air and take a small jack maybe, have extended AAA and 2 cels, I also drive a 30 y old 944 S2 (102k) on long road trips , thats the one I am selling to make room for the Vette
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 113
Likes: 21
From: Phoenix, AZ
The PT Cruiser jack is perfectly stable on an aluminum lifting puck. I had at least an inch under it on a completely deflated tire (Stock ride height Z06) and changed the tire completely using only the tools I carry. I chose to replace the PT Cruiser lug wrench with an old 15" Craftsman Breaker bar and 19mm deep socket. I carry the jack, the breaker and the lifting pucks in an old small padded gun bag I had.
