Why the Spare Tire is Becoming Obsolete
Photo: robmba via cc/Flickr
If you’ve recently bought or started leasing a new car, chances are you might have noticed its lack of a spare tire. Are auto makers starting to stow these bad boys in a more obscure part of the vehicle?
Nope. It turns out that this is a new industry trend that car buyers should be aware of.
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The New Reality
According to AAA, 28% of vehicles sold for the 2017 model year did not include spare tires. This is 36% less than the 2015 model year statistic.
Exactly why are many manufacturers ditching the spare tire? Leaving out the spare tire reduces the car’s overall weight. This, in turn, boosts fuel efficiency, which is a major priority for automakers as consumers continue to value eco-friendly rides.
Spare Tire Alternatives
Some companies equip their new vehicles with either a tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) or a tire inflator kit. The latter provides the driver with tools to temporarily fix the flat tire by plugging small leaks.
One downside of these kits, however, is that they have a shelf life of just 4-8 years. Chances are that your kit might expire before you experience a flat or busted tire.
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Pressure Prowess
Since the standard spare tire is gradually becoming extinct, it’s more important than ever that drivers constantly monitor their tire pressure and general tire “health.” With cooler weather in the fall and winter, keeping your tires inflated is especially important since sharp drops in temperature can deflate your tires to a dangerously low level. Under-inflated tires are one of the top two causes of tire failure, per the NHTSA .
Inflation Know-How
Per the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), just 17% of drivers know how to accurately check tire pressure. If you fall into “the other 83%” category, you can still protect yourself from a flat tire.
One simple way to stay on top of your vehicle’s tire pressure is to buy a portable tire pressure gauge online or from your local auto parts store. Many are available for less than $15.
Whether you get a digital or manual one, a tire pressure gauge is a handy tool that makes it easy to keep your wheels properly inflated.
Photo: Scirocco ThePunisher
Even though spare tires are phasing out, along with other contemporary trends like combustion-engines, modern drivers have all the resources they need to help prevent a tire mishap in the first place. And, if all else fails, there’s always roadside assistance to call for help!
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News Source: USA Today, SafeBee
Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.