Are you sure your newly purchased car has a temp or spare tire back up?

[Locoweed]

If you are very far out in the sticks, good luck on calling someone to come change your tire in the middle of the night.

 

[oosik]

Locoweed - when we lived in Alaska, the 4WD club be belonged to had a saying. " A 4WD vehicle is great for Alaska - it will get you to places where nobody can come to help you."

 

[Creamer]

This made me pause and think - when did I last need to change a flat tire? It was many, many years ago - I too have full size spares that may be useless as they haven't been touched for more than a decade.

Yet I recall in my younger days it was a common occurrence - on every type of vehicle I drove. Has tire technology improved that much or do our roads have a lot less hazards or am I just more attentive to slow leaks and replacing worn tires?

I can't imagine not having a spare - and I like full size spares - but maybe they are no longer more necessary than a myriad of other parts that could fail.

On my '99 Deville I had a flat on I-94 in Michigan one snowy slushy morning. I pulled over and got everything out and started to change the tire. I went to crack the lug nuts loose before I jacked it up and broke the wrench they had provided. Still had to call a tow truck.

Talked to a friend of mine that ran a factory that made automotive jacks and wrenches. He said that over 98% never get used and the only complaints they ever get is from the OEM if there is a sharp edge and somebody at the assembly plant gets hurt. He was enjoying building an automotive component that didn't have constant complaints.

 

[LouNY]

Well my RAM 1500 has a temporary spare, it's the same height as the 20's the truck cam with it's a 235/85-17, it'll be taller then the truck tires now.
My wifes Equinox has the donut type spare.
At least they both have them.

 

[marchanna]

My 1987 300D and 1995 E320 both had full size spares with matching alloy rims.

 

[BTDT2]

It's **** getting old and grumpy, but the alternative sucks. Today's vehicles are built for the majority of buyers, not us 'woodsmen'. I'm a Vietnam vet also but consider my smart phone my spare tire as I no longer plan to change my own tires or expect my spouse to, albeit I haven't had a flat since ................... oh boy......... I am getting old as I can't remember my last flat.... maybe Alaska in 20 ought 2?:confused3:

edit- My DW just informed me that our last flat was 1997..............I was close for my age but no cigars:cool2:

 

[kcflhrc]

I probably wouldn't buy a vehicle without a spare tire. My wife's Mercedes GLK350 has a spare tire that you have to pump up with the Mercedes electric air pump that came with the car.

 

[Paddy]

I think times have changed. we are all older and drive more dependable cars/trucks now.

When I was 25 and only $2 in my pocket, I NEEDED: a gallon of water, quart of oil, jumper cables or park on a hill, roll of duct tape set of tools, just to get to work.

Now we change car batteries at 5 years working or not, replace tires long before they are shot, and things that strand you like fuel pumps even though they are a pain in the neck to replace. I'm much less likely to pull off the road and run over something to puncture my tires

 

[Stimw]

I bought a 2016 Kia Sportage last fall.
It came with a spare with tire pressure sensor on it!!
I checked out the jack and lug wrench and even found a Tow Pin that can be inserted front or rear to pull out of a bad spot!

 

[tcreeley]

My wife's 2013 Elantra came with 4 mounted tires- low profile style and no spare.
I found out when she got a flat and I went to change it. There was a compressor for the cigarette lighter and a small can of foam to seal a slow leak. We called AAA and they brought it to the dealer. He was not surprised it had a flat. We bought 4 new Tiger Paws to replace the Optimos and a used rim and jack at the local junkyard. Now we have a spare.

My son's 2015 Mazda MX-5 (grand touring/top model) also had no spare for the low profile 17" tires. Just a compressor and foam, (No tow hook either - liability so they stopped including it.)

Both cars have a space for a spare in the trunk.

Saving money!