Vehicle manufacturers have been forgoing spare tires in new vehicles as a way to cut weight and improve fuel efficiency.
According to new research from AAA, nearly one-third of 2017 model year vehicles do not come with a spare tire.
October 18, 2017
Vehicle manufacturers have been forgoing spare tires in new vehicles as a way to cut weight and improve fuel efficiency.
According to new research from AAA, nearly one-third of 2017 model year vehicles do not come with a spare tire.
Cutting out spare tires could be detrimental for some drivers. Tire problems are among the top reasons why AAA members call for Roadside Assistance. In 2016, AAA helped more than 450,000 members who had a flat tire but no spare in their vehicle.
Even drivers who do have a spare tire on hand may call for help; AAA data shows nearly 20% of drivers in the U.S. don’t know how to change a flat tire.
Some automakers include tire-inflator kits as an alternative to a spare tire. But a previous AAA study found these kits to be unsatisfactory.Inflator kits are designed to temporarily patch small punctures, but do not offer a long-term solution and cannot repair issues such as sidewall damage or blowouts. Additionally, the kits can cost up to 10 times more than a tire repair and only last 4-8 years in storage.
Here are some ways drivers can help avoid becoming stranded with a flat tire:
Information taken from “Spare Me! AAA Finds Nearly One-Third of New Vehicles are Missing a Spare Tire,” October 2017, American Automobile Association.