My TourX Spare Tire Journey

[fng]

Thanks to everyone for the information! I had a flat a week ago that leaked out as fast as the half-assed pump would pump it in. Fortunately, the freeway had a wide berm and I had cell phone service. Still, paying for a tow because Mary Barra wanted a bigger bonus sucks. #@$&$_& bean counters.

I'll be looking for a spare soon.

 

[Amct15]

Thanks to everyone for the information! I had a flat a week ago that leaked out as fast as the half-assed pump would pump it in. Fortunately, the freeway had a wide berm and I had cell phone service. Still, paying for a tow because Mary Barra wanted a bigger bonus sucks. #@$&$_& bean counters.

I'll be looking for a spare soon.

Yeah, being stranded on the side of a highway has a tendency of putting the acquisition of a spare tire on top of the list. Worked wonders for me! Check out some of the other posts concerning the right type to get. Lot of good information here.

 

[ConeDodger]

I couldn't find any local spare tires at junkyards so I had to bite the bullet and buy a new rim and tire from TireRack, set me back about $200. Thankfully my guy at the tire shop mounted it on the rim for free.

 

[ZB Commodore Owner]

Thanks to everyone for the information! I had a flat a week ago that leaked out as fast as the half-assed pump would pump it in. Fortunately, the freeway had a wide berm and I had cell phone service. Still, paying for a tow because Mary Barra wanted a bigger bonus sucks. #@$&$_& bean counters.

I'll be looking for a spare soon.

I don't have any time for Mary Barra either after what she did with Holden (GMH) however I think the inclusion of the puncture repair goo and a pump was more to do with weight reduction and achieving better fuel consumption/CO2 emission figures than bean counters and bonuses. Hell, they even made the bonnet (hood to you guys) out of aluminium.

 

[TourXed]

T135 90R17 at 26.6" diameter is the spare I selected since the TourX has a larger tire installed compared to its European cousin' Disappointingly, it will not fit in the well....oh well, we have a spare...and if you find a spare in a junk yard look for the jack. I found one that was never used and perfect for the TourX, it came out of a 90's Buick LaSabre...

UPDATE & CORRECTION - My spare tire saga began on line verifying the TX's bolt pattern size, rim offset, and overall height. Then searched GM vehicles with similar tire and wheel dimensions. There were many Buicks that had the same bolt pattern and overall tire and wheel height dimensions. I then sourced salvage yards with those cars and visited them. I found a 17" spare rim (donut) with the correct bolt pattern and offset in the Buick area, also found an unused Jack. Purchased both for $55. The tire on the rim was a bit old so I ordered new from DT, a T165/80D-17 Yokohama Y870C for $135 (correction from the last post) The 165/80R17 has a diameter of 27.6", a width of 6.3"has a max load of 1984 lbs. The OEM installed 235/50R18 Continental ProContact has a diameter of 27.3", a width of 9.6", and has a max load of 1609 lbs. This is the closest size match I could find. The only issue I ran into was the center hub dimension on the spare rim was a few 1000ths smaller that the center hub on the TX's hubs. A quick grind took care of that and it now fits snugly and all the lug nuts line up perfectly. Yes it will not fit in the rear floor well but gives me peace of mind when on long road trips. I would have no worries traveling on this spare for an extended length of time which is very possible out here in the West US. Purchased a tire cover for it and tie it down in the rear cargo area when on long trips. Takes up a little space, but well worth it. Hope this helps those searching for a spare tire solution. Regards, TourXed

 

[DrFaustus]

You're right about needing a real spare when crossing some areas out west. I have a donut for running around day to day in Denver. But if I'm heading out to the middle of nowhere in Utah, I toss one of my snow tires in as a full size spare.

 

[Gluttenforpunishment]

Thanks to everyone for the information! I had a flat a week ago that leaked out as fast as the half-assed pump would pump it in. Fortunately, the freeway had a wide berm and I had cell phone service. Still, paying for a tow because Mary Barra wanted a bigger bonus sucks. #@$&$_& bean counters.

I'll be looking for a spare soon.

I miss Rick Wagoner, one of the few honest players in years.

 

[Greeno]

Big enough "trunk" to have a full size for long journeys I suppose, could even work it into the rotation. Patch and plug for the short emergencies... speaking of that I need a new mini compressor...my little tire shaped one gave up the go last year with a loud ping and bang.

I don't have any time for Mary Barra either after what she did with Holden (GMH) however I think the inclusion of the puncture repair goo and a pump was more to do with weight reduction and achieving better fuel consumption/CO2 emission figures than bean counters and bonuses. Hell, they even made the bonnet (hood to you guys) out of aluminium.

2008 and after wasn't good really. Original plan was to import Holden as Pontiacs to add volume to the brand...instead they hollowed it's production and sourced all from abroad. Chevy SS under advertised and the PPV never took off after they went went Cadillac platforms to underpin RWD.

Enjoyed my time in Australia...was in Darwin. If I got fancy digital dash on my 18' I want the Holden splash screen!

 

[danzig997]

From Opel Insignia... part # 84191889

 

[ZB Commodore Owner]

From Opel Insignia... part # 84191889

View attachment 41534

View attachment 41535

That fits where the sub woofer goes in my car. I had to make a different holder

 

[DANJ]

thanks for all of the above and other threads. So to be clear, a 17 inch spare from a Buick Envision with an inflated tire mounted T145 70R17, will fit in the wheel well?

 

[Ruesselsheimer2001]

thanks for all of the above and other threads. So to be clear, a 17 inch spare from a Buick Envision with an inflated tire mounted T145 70R17, will fit in the wheel well?

I don't think it will work. First, the spare tires provided in Europe/Australia in the manual (per ZB's post on Jan 5 in this thread) are T125 70R17. The Envision spare is 20mm wider than this. While it might fit in the spare tire well, judging from all the extra stuff I was able to pile on top of my spare. But OEMs only test and vouch for the spare tire sizes they include for the model of car. Second, the extra width MIGHT create issues when it is actually on the car: rubbing somewhere against wheel well, brake caliper, something.

If you have possession of an Envision spare, then I'd try to test mount it and replace one of your front tires. By doing this, you can see if there is any interference or rubbing -- and also check if the lug pattern matches up, too.

If you don't have an Envision spare, I'd suggest going with a very available T125 70R17 spare from a 2018-19 Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain. This is the spare tire the consensus on this board agree is a good choice. Plus GM sold far more Equinoxes and Terrains, so availability and pricing should be better.

That's my two cents, anyway. If you have it, try it out. If not, go for a sure thing.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[ZB Commodore Owner]

I don't think it will work. First, the spare tires provided in Europe/Australia in the manual (per ZB's post on Jan 5 in this thread) are T125 70R17. The Envision spare is 20mm wider than this. While it might fit in the spare tire well, judging from all the extra stuff I was able to pile on top of my spare. But OEMs only test and vouch for the spare tire sizes they include for the model of car. Second, the extra width MIGHT create issues when it is actually on the car: rubbing somewhere against wheel well, brake caliper, something.

If you have possession of an Envision spare, then I'd try to test mount it and replace one of your front tires. By doing this, you can see if there is any interference or rubbing -- and also check if the lug pattern matches up, too.

If you don't have an Envision spare, I'd suggest going with a very available T125 70R17 spare from a 2018-19 Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain. This is the spare tire the consensus on this board agree is a good choice. Plus GM sold far more Equinoxes and Terrains, so availability and pricing should be better.

That's my two cents, anyway. If you have it, try it out. If not, go for a sure thing.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

I agree, I don't think the 145/70 will fit.

The 70 number is the ratio of the wall height to tread width. A 145 tyre has a higher wall than the equivalent 125 tyre. The 145 tyre on a 17 inch rim and a 70 profile will have a slightly larger rolling circumference/diameter than the 125 with a 70 profile on a 17 inch rim.

The T125/70R17 only just squeezes into the wheel well cross wise, the T145/70R17 will have no show in my opinion.

 

[DANJ]

Thank you both. I misinterpreted and thought that while the 125 70R17 was the consensus choice, that others, slightly larger might fit. Thanks so much for clarifying.

 

[visitor]

...to be clear, a 17 inch spare from a Buick Envision with an inflated tire mounted T145 70R17, will fit in the wheel well?

don't think the 145/70 will fit

Not all 145/70R17 compact spares measure out the same ->

Goodyear 145/70-17 is a full inch taller than the Maxxis 145/70-17 spare..., [remount] Maxxis tire on the #9598061 7-spoke rim.
It fits perfectly in the well if you remove the rear plastic trim first [then replace once the spare's down in there], View attachment 33448
...remove the extra plastic washer (circled blue in next pic, it just pops off the two little tabs) to get the hold-down nut to catch the threads on the bolt, View attachment 33449

Had to use ours this week when one of our OEM Continentals picked up a screw800 mi. away from home, good to have the spare to get to Mavis for a new Conti.

 

[mdwitte]

I wanted to thank you for the initial post, after having a fast leak at hwy speeds, that led to a tow and two new tires, I decided to look into a spare tire since the inflation/sealant didn't fix my flat. I purchased a kit (spare/tire, jack & tire wrench from eBay vendor for just under $300. I have subwoofer and it fit right into the tire, added a T-wrench, and tire blocks, and I should be ready to go next time.

 

[Ruesselsheimer2001]

I wanted to thank you for the initial post, after having a fast leak at hwy speeds, that led to a tow and two new tires, I decided to look into a spare tire since the inflation/sealant didn't fix my flat. I purchased a kit (spare/tire, jack & tire wrench from eBay vendor for just under $300. I have subwoofer and it fit right into the tire, added a T-wrench, and tire blocks, and I should be ready to go next time.

That's exactly why I posted -- you're welcome. It seems like an easy way to earn some peace of mind. A spare will have it limits, too (speed, etc.) but far more straightforward of a fix than messing with the sealant that won't work in many cases. I was amazed that the subwoofer fit, and that there was still room for other stuff, too!

 

[2018 TourX in Texas]

This is all a great idea.

Once I have time I'll try to source a spare T125/70-17 from a 2018-19 Equinox or Terrain.

But heading out for Idaho today from East Texas - 2100 miles, winter snow & ice forecasted / already on ground.

My temp "tire emergency plan":

Be ready for roadside repair.

- Added a Hyper Tough (Walmart) small bottle jack - it's tiny just 7" tall so fits under F & R jack positions.

- 19mm Tire lug wrench

- Multi Tool with pliers (to pull nail from tread)

- Slime Tire plug kit with rubber cement

- Ever start MAXX Starter jump box with air compressor.

If you catch a tire deflation fast enough / don't damage tire, a plug works well to allow re-inflation.

Or if damaged beyond repair, at least I have the bottle jack & lug wrench to allow wheel dismount & fix at tire shop.

Can anyone say if a LOW TIRE PRESSURE warning pops up on dash screen in case of a flat ?

Thanks so much - David

 

[FavaBean]

Can anyone say if a LOW TIRE PRESSURE warning pops up on dash screen in case of a flat ?

Yes. You'll get a low tire pressure warning on the DIC.

For your emergency kit, I'd also recommend a dead blow hammer and a roll of TP (2 rolls of TP if you had Taco Bell for lunch).

 

[2018 TourX in Texas]

Yes. You'll get a low tire pressure warning on the DIC.

For your emergency kit, I'd also recommend a dead blow hammer and a roll of TP (2 rolls of TP if you had Taco Bell for lunch).

Cool.
Any idea how much PSI deviation before alarm sounds ?

What's the Dead blow hammer for ?

TY - David