1/3 Of New Vehicles Missing A Spare Tire

[tortoise]

AAA report

 

[razel]

It's obvious cost cutting. They'll be more than happy to sell you a spare that used to be free.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

run-flats though.

I would be curious to know how common flat tires are vs. other mechanical failures. In my driving history, I've had to call tow trucks a few times, but only had a flat tire once.

 

[highland145]

run-flats though.

I would be curious to know how common flat tires are vs. other mechanical failures. In my driving history, I've had to call tow trucks a few times, but only had a flat tire once.

Sis in law had run flats. Bro in law was too tight to replace them with run flats. There's a spare sitting in the back of the SUV.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's obvious cost cutting. They'll be more than happy to sell you a spare that used to be free.

Spare tires were never free. It is factored into the price of the vehicle.

Typically, when a manufacturer omits a spare tire it is for space/weight savings. They offset the need for a spare by specifying run-flat tires and/or fix-a-flat.

 

[highland145]

Spare tires were never free. It is factored into the price of the vehicle.

Typically, when a manufacturer omits a spare tire it is for space/weight savings. They offset the need for a spare by specifying run-flat tires and/or fix-a-flat.

I doubt the price dropped though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I doubt the price dropped though.

That might be due to other factors. Hard to say really unless you work for the manufacturer in R&D or Cost Accounting.

 

[highland145]

That might be due to other factors. Hard to say really unless you work for the manufacturer in R&D or Cost Accounting.

Did I mention that I'm a glass 3/4 empty kind of guy?

 

[Herr Kutz]

I will never purchase a vehicle without a spare tire, or space for one. Just a couple weeks ago I got a flat on the way to work and it would have been a huge hassle/waste of time to get my car towed somewhere. Since I had a spare I was ready to go within minutes and could take my time to choose the tire store of my choice. Had a similar issue a few years ago when a tire blew out on the interstate. Put on a spare and good to go.

 

[KIAman]

In the 22 years of driving, I've had a total of 2 flats and no blow-outs. My current vehicle does not have a spare and I have swapped out the stock run-flats for non-rfts. In the event of a flat or blow-out, it is statistically more cost effective for me to just take a tow to a tire shop rather than buying and lugging around a spare. But maybe that's just me.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Did I mention that I'm a glass 3/4 empty kind of guy?

 

[highland145]

Hey, things are looking up.

As far as flats, I don't remember the last time I had one. The wife got 3 in the same week and somehow she mixed up my # with AAA.

 

[MuchTooSexy]

I will never purchase a vehicle without a spare tire, or space for one. Just a couple weeks ago I got a flat on the way to work and it would have been a huge hassle/waste of time to get my car towed somewhere. Since I had a spare I was ready to go within minutes and could take my time to choose the tire store of my choice. Had a similar issue a few years ago when a tire blew out on the interstate. Put on a spare and good to go.

I've come to the opposite conclusion...

isn't the point of run flats that you don't have to suffer the hassle/waste of time of changing the tire? unless you completely shred the tire somehow, you should be able to keep driving for a while. no need to wait for a tow.

i have had blowouts before and had to change tires. its not fun. if run flats can avoid that scenario, i'd prefer not purchasing a vehicle with a spare.

 

[pcgeek11]

Run flat tires are a good idea, but the ride suffers considerably.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've come to the opposite conclusion...

isn't the point of run flats that you don't have to suffer the hassle/waste of time of changing the tire? unless you completely shred the tire somehow, you should be able to keep driving for a while. no need to wait for a tow.

i have had blowouts before and had to change tires. its not fun. if run flats can avoid that scenario, i'd prefer not purchasing a vehicle with a spare.

I haven't had a flat tire in 20 years. Still, all of my cars have spare tires in them and I can change a flat tire myself. It's not fun on a busy road but if you can get to a safe place to park it is just a minor inconvenience.

 

[jlee]

I don't even have a spare in my offroad vehicle at the moment....it won't fit in the factory location. >.>

I do have this and a compressor, which will handle nearly anything other than catastrophic tire failure.

 

[mindless1]

That seems fair. I want to have a spare but I don't want everyone else who isn't inclined to change a tire themselves, to have to pay for a feature they won't use. All the better if it's a full sized spare and I can source a matching rim cheap at a junkyard to put a 5th wheel into rotations, though a spare compartment sized to accomodate a full sized spare is rarer on modern vehicles.

 

[Yakk]

I guess this could go with the other thread about millennials not knowing how to do basic stuff anyways... Who needs it?

Had a couple times I needed to change a flat in an emergency. Annoying sure, but sure glad I had it.

Run flat tires are a good idea, but the ride suffers considerably.

LoL... Yes it does... You know you have an issue...

 

[snoopy7548]

I would be hesitant to buy a car that didn't come with spare tire, but in my 16 years of driving I've never had a flat or had to change a tire on the side of the road.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I would be hesitant to buy a car that didn't come with spare tire, but in my 16 years of driving I've never had a flat or had to change a tire on the side of the road.

Honestly, I’ve never given it any thought when buying a new or used car.

 

[Chaotic42]

I miss the full-size spare my 1991 Ford Festiva came with, though my WRX's tires are so firm that they drive well enough to get to the shop even when totally flat.

 

[mindless1]

^ Easy one for Ford, a Festiva's ~165/70/12 tires aren't much if any bigger than everyone else's donut spare.

 

[Chaotic42]

^ Easy one for Ford, a Festiva's ~165/70/12 tires aren't much if any bigger than everyone else's donut spare.

I remember getting all new tires for it in 2003 or so and paying about $175 for the set.

 

[Zorba]

Where the hell do you all drive that you never get flats? I personally would never buy a car without a spare, or a place to put one. I have no interest in waiting on the side of the highway in the middle of no where to be towed to a shitty small town tire shop that is closed all weekend. I don't get flats that often, but when I do it is nice that it only wastes a few minutes, not hours.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Where the hell do you all drive that you never get flats? I personally would never buy a car without a spare, or a place to put one. I have no interest in waiting on the side of the highway in the middle of no where to be towed to a shitty small town tire shop that is closed all weekend. I don't get flats that often, but when I do it is nice that it only wastes a few minutes, not hours.

Southern California. Where do you drive that you get flats all the time? I check my tires, replace them before they are shot and keep them properly inflated.

Are you driving through construction sites all the lime?