What if my car didn’t come with a spare tire?
If a car doesn’t come with a spare tire, it will usually be equipped with a can of tire sealant and a DC-powered air compressor. Some luxury models come with run-flat tires that can be driven on for short distances with low or no air. Minor punctures through the tread can be addressed with this gear. Today, approximately 30 percent of new cars come without a spare (up from just 5 percent in 2006) and it is estimated there are more than 30 million cars on the road that lack a spare tire. The main reason manufacturers are removing spare tires is tough new government fuel economy standards.While many new light trucks and larger SUVs come with a spare, many new vehicles do not include a regular-sized spare. About one-third of new vehicles are not equipped with a full-size spare tire. Instead, many are equipped with a space-saver (donut) spare or tire sealant and inflation kit.If your vehicle doesn’t come with a spare tire, consider a spare-tire kit, which includes a tire, jack, and lug wrench. They start at around $250. Know how your car is equipped before you take delivery,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, who manages Consumer Reports’ tire program.Using a tire plug on balance is cheaper than a tire patch. A DIY kit will probably cost somewhere between $10 and $20, so it’s a good idea to buy one and keep it somewhere in your car, especially if you’re traveling somewhere where AAA or similar may not be able to easily reach you.
What to do if there is no spare tyre?
Nothing will replace a spare tyre but, if you no longer have space for one, seal kits or tyre spray products are the alternatives. Sprays are cheap but often ineffective, while puncture repair kits are normally much pricier, but more effective. You still have options if you have a flat tire and no spare. One option is to use a tire inflation kit, which typically includes a sealant and a compressor. The cement is injected into the tire to seal the puncture, and the compressor inflates the tire.If you find yourself with a flat tire and no spare, there are several options and solutions to consider. You can use a tire repair kit, purchase run-flat tires, contact a mobile tire repair company like Lug Wrench Heroes, or contact roadside assistance for help.
Why do new cars no longer have spare tires?
Most new cars omit a full-size spare for a combination of engineering, cost, regulatory and consumer-priorities reasons. The decision reflects trade-offs between weight, space, fuel economy, cost, and the availability of alternative solutions. To make room for hybrid, diesel, and electric vehicle components. Batteries and emissions equipment can often take up the same space as a spare. To save money. Carmakers can save several hundred dollars per vehicle by foregoing the spare in new vehicles.
Can a donut spare tire be repaired?
You’re not entirely out of luck if your spare tire is damaged or unsuitable. There are roadside tire repair kits and patching options available that can provide a temporary fix: 1. Tire Repair Kits: Many vehicles come equipped with tire repair kits, including a sealant and a compressor. If the tire has sustained serious damage in a crash, such as significant cuts or tread separation, it should be replaced, not repaired. Moreover, punctures on the edge or side of the tire should also warrant a replacement. Another red flag is a bulge or bubble in the sidewall of the tire.Technicians will often swab the tire with soapy water or dunk it into a tank to look for bubbles of escaping air. It is impossible to inspect the cavity of the tire for any puncture damage without removing the tire from the rim. This is one of the multitudes of reasons why a plug-only repair is an unsafe method.Generally, a tire patch is more durable than a tire plug. However, just like with a tire plug, using a tire patch by itself is not recommended to repair a tire. A patch can seal the puncture hole, but it doesn’t address potential internal damage that the tire may have sustained when it was punctured.
What to do if I have a flat tire and no spare?
If you find yourself with a flat tire and no spare, there are several options and solutions to consider. You can use a tire repair kit, purchase run-flat tires, contact a mobile tire repair company like Lug Wrench Heroes, or contact roadside assistance for help. Free Flat Repair Bring any tire with a puncture to the auto care center for repair. If we can repair the tire, we’ll do it for free. Non-members pay $15 for this service. This benefit applies only to tires installed on passenger cars, light trucks, minivans, small recreational vehicles (RVs), & crossovers.Providing more control and flexibility, run-flats are perhaps the most common alternative to spare tires. These are specially engineered tires that are constructed with reinforced sidewalls or internal support rings and can enable a driver to drive the vehicle a short distance under forty miles an hour.If you find yourself with a flat tire and no spare, there are several options and solutions to consider. You can use a tire repair kit, purchase run-flat tires, contact a mobile tire repair company like Lug Wrench Heroes, or contact roadside assistance for help.SHOP Tire Maintenance and Repair WITH AUTOZONE Whether you have a slow leak or you’re leaking air quickly, AutoZone has the quick fix for your flat. Tire repairs have never been easier than with the help of top-of-the-line products including rubber cement, tire patches and tire repair kits.