Spare tires ditched as automakers seek efficiency

[kramer]

"More passenger cars are rolling off assembly lines with no jack, wrench or fifth wheel in the trunk as the U.S. government seeks more aggressive fuel economy targets and consumers demand savings at the pump."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/ ... 4520111108

Another 'life-benefit' of environmentalism.

[SoMelo]

"More passenger cars are rolling off assembly lines with no jack, wrench or fifth wheel in the trunk as the U.S. government seeks more aggressive fuel economy targets and consumers demand savings at the pump."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/ ... 4520111108

Another 'life-benefit' of environmentalism.

My company car doesn't have a spare tire. It has an air compressor and a tire repair kit

[SLK230]

My company car doesn't have a spare tire. It has an air compressor and a tire repair kit

What are you suppose to do if you get flat tire and the repair kit doesn't fit it?

You would have to get a flatbed tow truck unless AAA can change it (put a new tire on your rim) in the field. I doubt they can.

What should have taken half an hour will now take half a day.

[SoMelo]

What are you suppose to do if you get flat tire and the repair kit doesn't fit it?

You would have to get a flatbed tow truck unless AAA can change it (put a new tire on your rim) in the field. I doubt they can.

What should have taken half an hour will now take half a day.

I have 24 hour emergency roadside service, if I call it in they will bring a tire that would fit it.

[afan95]

This brought a smile to my face...I've always called "the other woman" a spare tire.

[oceanvue]

A lot of the cars with no spare wheel well were originally fitted with "run flat" tires, but now many manufactures have dropped that option because of expense and you just have cars with no spare tire or anywhere to put it.

[SLK230]

I have 24 hour emergency roadside service, if I call it in they will bring a tire that would fit it.

It isn't that simple. They need to take the flat off the rim and put the new tire on the rim. I don't know if that can be done in the field as it requires equipment that many gas stations don't have any more.

[oceanvue]

It isn't that simple. They need to take the flat off the rim and put the new tire on the rim. I don't know if that can be done in the field as it requires equipment that many gas stations don't have any more.

Basically they're going to tow you to town and you're going to have to get something that can get you home. Essentially you're buying a spare unless you can find a shop and match tires. If it's after hours you're staying the night. Long story short.. a flat with no spare can wipe out years of saving from better gas mileage from a 25 lb. weight reduction

[Troglodyte]

A couple of weeks ago I would have said BFD.. Then for the first time in years I had a blow out on the freeway.
Even FlatFix wouldn't have helped that tire..

[SLK230]

Basically they're going to tow you to town and you're going to have to get something that can get you home. Essentially you're buying a spare unless you can find a shop and match tires. If it's after hours you're staying the night. Long story short.. a flat with no spare can wipe out years of saving from better gas mileage from a 25 lb. weight reduction

Exactly right. That was the point that SoMelo didn't get. She would be right if you had a spare tire.

[SoMelo]

The roadside assistance I have would bring a correct tire replacement. Even the AAA I have once had to bring me a battery for my Mini Cooper and they charged me less than it would have cost me from an auto supply store. Every vehicle I have seen without a spare still has a spare compartment if you wanted to get a 50/50.

[Biscuit]

The solution is simple, just dont buy anymore new cars!!...keep the big SUV alive and well, they have enough space for a spare tire, and you can thumb your nose at the EPA too!!

[not4u13]

Some cars did try the runflat tires for awhile as standard equipment. I think a few still do. Those didn't come with a spare. As previously pointed out, replacement tires (and their more limited availability) made this much less attractive to consumers.

The point isn't so much about fuel savings for the consumer. The reason this is being done is to meet fuel efficiency standards set by the government by removing all "non-essential" equipment.

A blowout is a pretty rare occasion and with the tire pressure monitors it is even more rare, but the do still occur. I find this particular issue interesting as it highlights a few things about consumers.

1) They don't really understand what they are buying when they buy a new car. Many don't ask about things they "expect" are part of the purchase, such as a spare tire.

2) Those that are upset over this issue don't seem to understand the limited risks of a flat if you take care of your tires. Yes, you can pick up road debris that will puncture the tire, but that more common occurance is easily fixable with what the manufacturers do provide. In some respects it is easier (and it is safer) than jacking up the car and changing the tire.

3) Roadside assistance is much more common these days and not just because of onstar. Even if you do get a flat it is not likely going to be an issue you'll have to deal with directly.

I'm guessing this trend is going to expand and I'm further guessing that in 10 years or so we'll wonder why this seemed like such a big deal.

[SoMelo]

My Mini Cooper has runflats.. Not a fan, but I've never had a problem.

[SLK230]

I haven' had a flat in the past 20 years yet it would still bother me to not have a spare or a run flat.

[not4u13]

I haven' had a flat in the past 20 years yet it would still bother me to not have a spare or a run flat.

I have a motorcycle and for obvious reasons don't carry a spare. I got a flat on the freeway the other day and called AAA. Had my bike back the next day. A lot of guys I know carry a plug kit so they can get back on the road faster.

I'm wondering if your discomfort has more to do with what you traditionally expect as opposed to thinking through and assessing the risks and mitigations. Most of us are uncomfortable with change. There are a lot of folks who don't even like driving a smaller car because they just aren't "comfortable" in them. It is what they are used to. Perhaps that is why it bothers you?

I've had one blowout in my many years of driving. I also had a sidewall puncture when I ran over debris on a side street and the tire went down very quickly. Those are the only two occasions where the new flat fix with inflator would not have helped me. I would have had to get a tow to a local tire shop and likely been back on the road in a few hours.

Compare that to using a donut spare where I change it on the roadside and am back in the car in about 30 minutes total and then have to go find that tire shop later. The only difference is being forced to get it taken care of immediately as opposed to waiting a day or two. Considering how rare it is for this to occur, I'm not sure I really care that much.

[SoMelo]

Spare tires stored under the vehicle are exposed to the elements and can rot, causing them to be extremely dangerous

[atgreek]

A couple of weeks ago I would have said BFD.. Then for the first time in years I had a blow out on the freeway.
Even FlatFix wouldn't have helped that tire..

Which is the prevalent attitude shown by conservatives onthis board.....

BFD...unless it happens to me.

How apropos.

[atgreek]

Run flats cost about $300-600 per tire depending on the size.

[SoMelo]

Run flats cost about $300-600 per tire depending on the size.

Yeah but you can drive over spike strips during police pursuits