More than one-quarter of new cars don’t come equipped with a spare tire — creating a major hassle for stranded drivers, according to a report published Wednesday.
“Having a flat tire can be a nuisance for drivers, but not having a spare could put them in an even more aggravating and risky situation,” said Robert Sinclair, Jr., a spokesman for the Automobile Association of America, the nation’s largest auto group.
The group responded to more than 450,000 members who called in flat-tire road emergencies, but were driving cars with no spares.
All told, 28% of 2017 model cars do not come with a spare tire as standard equipment. Instead, some vehicles include tire-inflator kits that can temporarily repair small punctures.
But that does little to help a blown-out tire.
“Also, tire-inflator kits can cost up to 10 times more than a tire repair and have a shelf life of only four to eight years,” according to AAA.
The lack of a spare can lead to major headaches. All told, 28% of 2017 model cars do not come with a spare tire as standard equipment.
(Marccophoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The lack of a spare can lead to major headaches.
“This can turn the relatively routine process of changing a tire at the roadside into an inconvenient, costly and more dangerous situation that requires the vehicle to be hooked up to a tow truck, requiring longer exposure to a dangerous roadside, and a tow to a repair facility, that may not be open,” Sinclair said.
AAA encouraged drivers to always ask that a spare be included in their new cars. They should also check tire pressure monthly and have all the tires inspected regularly.
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