I am a physics professor with a special interest in alternative energy. I designed and built an earth-sheltered solar house in Ohio and got a 1980 Jet Electrica 007 electric car back on the road. I am currently driving a 2020 Chevy Bolt EV and want to help others with driving electric.
Thank you sir! I'm thinking about using some bungee cord and find a place to latch the spare. So I don't have to drill holes through the carpet. But your way of doing it is definately more secure.
I would expect a physics professor to consider the difference in weight between a Chevy Bolt and the Cruz. The space saving spare from a Cruz is a limited service tire designed for a much MUCH lighter vehicle than the battery weighted Bolt. The Bolt weighs something like 3,600 lbs. I believe. I would admonish those using the space saving spare to be extremely cautious in driving it even for emergencies.
Yes, I did consider the extra weight of the Bolt. The Cruz mini spare is rated at 1389 pounds (630 kg). The Bolt's OEM Michelin tires are only rated at 1356 pounds (615 kg) so the mini spare has a higher weight rating. Of course the mini spare is only to be used in emergency situations and limited miles.
Great video, wondering, do you see a decrease in your max range on your dash in the cold weather, for example, my 2023 bolt Ev shows about 320/280/240 when fully charged in 65 degrees F, I wonder what it would show in 20 degrees F, or does the range on the dash not change much, and the decrease only shows in your consumption of that power (miles per kWh)
Another option one can consider is a cannister of tire slime. You'll need a mini compressor, but every car should have one of those regardless. I've rarely had a completely flat tire, but slow leaks that you don't notice until you're out an about are extremely common.
It's amazing people don't get flats more often. The last time I got a flat when driving and needed to fix roadside was over 25 years ago and I drive a lot miles.
Anyone found alternative cheap full size wheel, which could be used as a spare wheel in emergency? I mean used wheel from junkyard or used tire place. I looked around Atlanta and nobody had it... The lug pattern is unique. Also the front brake caliper takes a lot of space...
I have a video of what I did for my 2020 Bolt EV. I bought Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready tires which are all weather tires. These are better for snow than all season tires. Here is the address. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HM4LU81H1rc.html
Very informative. Thanks for posting. I just got a ‘23 Bolt EV a couple weeks ago so its very useful info for me. Did you have the heat constantly on the whole time or did you turn it on and off as needed? I did hear the stock tires suck and was looking at getting a set of Michelin crossclimate2 tires.
I had the heat set at 70 degrees for the entire trip. The fan was on 2 most of the time and on 1 for a little while. I had my Goodyear all-weather tires on since it is winter.
I looked back to see what tires you were running; Goodyear all-weather. I picked up a set of Cruze rims, with the same size tire installed as you, but the tires are Firestone Winterforce. I assumed the aggressive tread would tax range, and I've been pegged at 2.7 mi/kWh since installation. Oddly, even when roads have been plugged with snow and temperatures have plummeted to zero, the efficiency has stayed the same. I guess if the tread is aggressive enough and the compound is sticky enough, then you'll get a consistent, harsh penalty. I'll definitely be going with a different winter tire when these wear out, as I'd like to get the more palatable numbers you're getting. Do you find the grip of the all-weather tires to be satisfactory?
I have found the grip okay so far. I can't say I have been on roads that have been completely covered with much snow yet other than in town. They are definitely better than the stock tires in bad weather.
Curious, what your game plan is for the future of your e.v.... trade? Sale? I own a 2020. I hate the fact that their isnt a battery end of life market...also what app are you utilizing? For the data...
The Bolt meets probably 85% of my wife's and my driving needs. We both prefer to drive it over any car we have owned. I have traveled 250-300 miles on one charge in the summer. We have no plans to get rid of it. I run Torque Pro on an old Android phone for my data. I connect it through the OBDII port using a LELINK car diagnostic scanner. It lets me know how the heat, air, defrost, speed, etc. is affecting my range so it alleviates any range anxiety one might have. I have only paid to charge once just to make sure I knew how to do it if needed.
Your video made it look so easy. Started the process and did the driver's side front tire with no problem. Moved over to the passenger side and the sensor didn't respond. I have tried over and over in different places near the valve, on the tire, around the rim, etc, and got no response. So now I can't complete the job. Do I need to take it to the dealer or is there some way to jog the tire's sensor to get it to respond to the TPMS tool?
Did you try starting over from the beginning? If so, it may be that you have a bad sensor. You can try doing them out of order just to see if the others work before getting a replacement.
Excellent and helpful video. It would be great if EVProf could edit the description above to list the source of all parts he used in making this happen.
An amazing solution! I've got a 2023 EUV, and I had been wondering if the full wheel and tire I'd bought for my late lamented totaled Volt (it had seemed precarious to embark on any long trip with only that puny inflator) would fit in back. It does--just barely--with the false floor removed. I was ready to deflate it significantly if not, but it wedges in quite nicely. I don't think this would work for the EV with its 7" smaller length. Not an inexpensive solution, but one where I can do a regular tire change on any wheel and keep on driving, and I live off in the country with a lot of dirt roads. Apparently no spare is the norm these days for most cars--that's what the guy who ran the junkyard where the Volt was towed told me for pretty much all regular-road cars made after 2015. I figured he'd know.
I'm glad it fit. My son and I have both had tire blowouts on our Bolts and a tire inflator didn't help. A spare tire saved a lot of time and frustration.
Dude, that looks super easy. Thank you so much I've got one tire that slow but the low sensor is going like from one tire to another and it's I mean it keeps bouncing back-and-forth and I'm getting all kinds of readings but I thought it was gonna be expensive but this is awesome. Thank you so much.
I don't know if you will see this or not, but I'm trying to use the relearn tool and my Chevy bolt car doesn't honk as it's supposed to when I'm finished with wheel. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Did it honk when you chose relearn in the car? When you push the button, does the light on the relearn tool flash? If not you may have the batteries in backwards or bad batteries. You need to go through all four wheels starting with the drivers front wheel. You may have to try different spots around the valve stem. Try on the rim and also on the rubber just above the rim.
@@evprof8617 thank you for the reply! The horn beep twice when I put it in relearn mode, and the green light flashed when I press the button but when I hold it next to the valve stem there is no sound from the horn as I understand there should be. I have found your videos to be very useful, thank you very much.
I have a 2023 Bolt EUV. I am looking for solutions for a full sized spare or a compact spare tire. Does anyone have any suggestions? 2023 Bolt EUV. It's a 17inch, P215/50R17 tire with a 5X105 bolt pattern.
Don't know if anyone has added this to the comments for reference, but the wheel he uses is a "mini spare from a 2011-2014 Chevy Cruze" and the Jack is from a chevy s10 truck or blazer suv.
At 5:25 minute your are demonstrating a spare tire well fit. Would the tire fit if deflated? I am considering having a 12V pump in the car anyway. Thanks
I haven't had any problem with groceries or tool bags. I have actually had a decent amount of weight with no problem. Since I put my spare tire under it, I really don't worry as it is basically sitting on the tire now. I guess that is another advantage to having a spare.
@@j.a.7721 That will work for a tread puncture like running over a nail. I have actually had several where I drove home and plugged the tires. However over the years I have had tire blowouts and a sidewalk puncture and plugs and an inflator won't work for them.
EVProf 3 months ago I I bought them through a local Chevy dealership. I did a search for the Bolt false floor and the Part No. : 42564933 was listed as $170. I believe this includes the two brackets but I would check with GM to be sure. I used the $100 credit I got when I bought the car and so it only cost me about $70.
It's weird that they would have a space for a tire down there, but it's too small for even a donut spare. Carmakers nowadays save a few bucks by not giving you a tire, but instead just giving you a "kit" that comes with a tire pump and some Fix-A-Flat foam. Not too helpful if you have anything but a very simple nail in your tire. I did something very similar to what you're doing here for my 2016 Kia Soul EV.
I made the mistake to put the donut in front driver side, and the abs brake was stuck couldn't move had to tow it. If one of your front tire gets damaged rotate with one the back tires (regular size) and put the donut to back tire not the front. I would also recommend getting a car scan to erase the ABS signal
The design of the Bolt to not even accommodate a mini spare is just downright stupidity. Most of the space under the carpet is wasted with styrofoam that serves no useful purpose. I have removed all that crap and fashioned a plywood floor that fits over the entire cavity, and have repackaged the tools into bags that keep them from rolling around. If I could get my hands on the geniuses that came up with this design for the Bolt ....
