OT Spare Tires

Harold H · Aug 1, 2012

I bought my last brand new automobile in 1985 so I don't keep up with new model cars very much. However, someone told me that a lot of the new cars do not come with a spare tire, either compact spare or full size spare? Is this true, do all modern drivers just rely on AAA or other road services if they have a flat? I want my own spare in whatever I drive and hope I don't have to use it too often, but want it available if I do need it.

Harold H

Harold H

Anonymous-0 · Aug 1, 2012

last new one we bought was 2002 Blazer - full size spare.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 1, 2012

From what I heard there are a few that way, but they are equipped with the run flat or whatever they are called tires. Supposedly don't go flat, but are expensive to replace when they wear out. Don't quote me on this, but I think those also take a special wheel, so you can't put a regular tire on that wheel. Now, this is from my memory so take it for what it's worth.

Mike (WA) · Aug 1, 2012

I understand they come with a couple cans of that stuff that shoots compressed gas and sealer into the tire, and reinflates it. Have heard they work pretty well, and its sure easier than changing a tire. Course, if you have a complete blow-out, or damage it beyond a puncture, you're out of luck.

Beyond the fact that the stuff works, and of course its cheaper to not have to include a spare, I understand part of the decision was based on the fact that everyone has a cell phone these days. Used to be, if you had a flat in BF, Egypt, you'd better have a spare. Now, many would call AAA or a tire outfit anyhow.

pete black · Aug 1, 2012

Look at who driving what. Do you think they have the capabity to change a tire?

Dick2 · Aug 1, 2012

Have full size spare on the Tundra, never been used in 116K miles in 9 years. Mini spare for the Camry, never been used. Haven't had a flat in 16 -17 years.

Buy our tires at Costco; if I would have a flat, I'd just take it to Costco and they will fix it at no charge.

Russ from MN · Aug 1, 2012

Everything we have bought has some kind of spare, (07, 11) but I haven't needed one in 20 years. Probably silly to haul one around, and like someone said, lots of people wouldn't know how to change one anyhow. It depends a lot on where you drive.

Nebraska Cowman · Aug 1, 2012

In all the hundreds of thousands of miles I've driven over the years I think I have only changed a flat on the road once or twice. Once when I was young and stupid and drove til the air showed through and once one morning when I left before daylight and didn't notice I had a flat. Flats happen at home. Then the other thing is a lot of newer tires are designed that they can be run short distances flat.

wisbaker · Aug 1, 2012

When I was still buying fleet cars I noticed on the Chevy Malibus a spare is an option, seems on some of the other GM stuff it is too but they're not run-flat equipped. I know the Corvettes and some of the other go fast stuff don't have spares and use run-flat tires.

tomNE · Aug 1, 2012

just bought a new chrysler mini van. it has a donut. mounted clear up under, in the middle of the van. I sure hope i never have to use it!!!

notjustair · Aug 1, 2012

I watched a show on how they make some of those run flat tires. On these the tire wasn't all that different but the rim had a sold rubber donut all the way around. It was about three inches wide and about two inches tall. If the tire went flat the car ran on those. Sort of like the old solid rubber Mack tires or a forklift. Good idea.

Come to think of it, I think they were putting them on an armored truck.

Nancy Howell · Aug 1, 2012

Don't know about all vehicles. I see lots of mid-size and small cars with "toy" tires for spares.

I won't hardly drive a vehicle or pull a trailer that doesn't have a good spare.

If you don't have a good spare, then you need a friend or another vehicle to take you somewhere to get the tire fixed.

Had a blow out on my truck 30 miles from home. My fault, trying to run the tires as long as I could before replacing them. While I am well capable of changing a tire, I had never changed a tire on a truck and had no idea how to get the spare out, etc. Nice person helped. Now I know and yes I can.

Had a blow out on the small horse trailer, not far from home but way too far to try to limp home with 2 horses in the trailer. Another reason to have a good spare. Bad spot was on the inside of the tire and not easy to see.

Had a blow out while hauling our Ford 2810. James was behind me in his truck, hauling hay. Because we had a good spare for the trailer I was pulling, we got the tire changed and got on home.

I want a good spare both for what I'm driving and the trailer, if I'm towing one.

To me, its worth the extra money to run top quality tires on my trailers and vehicle. Its not safe for me to be pulled off the road with a tire or vehicle problem.

MARK ROBKE · Aug 1, 2012

I pretty much only buy used anythings, including cars,and everyone i have bought , the spare was low or flat because no one checks them for correct psi. So i preach to family and friends : check the spare.Its no good flat; rather have it and never need it, than need it and not have it.
Mark

LenND · Aug 1, 2012

the 2012 Camaro in Chev display room says NO spare but has a can of goop for flats. Now that's modern times, huh?

Tom in TN · Aug 1, 2012

Remember when the spare tire was part of the normal rotation of tires? Back in the 50s & 60s we always rotated the spare right along with the others.

Probably wouldn't be such a good idea today.

Tom in TN

donjr · Aug 1, 2012

Dang- now that I think about it, I got my own spare-----

Leroy · Aug 1, 2012

The 59 Desota did not have a spare but it was a high priced special tire that had 2 compartments for air. Nothing since including the 77 AMC had a full sized spare. I drove a lot of miles for years and I always cary a full size spare with me, fact is for years I carried 2, sometimes 3. And in just one evening going away about 50 mile I had 3 tires bust the belts and only had the 2 spares so it was a slow trip home. At times I would have a flat a week. In the vans I have had the tire is laying on the floor inside.

Chris Jones · Aug 1, 2012

I've heard that too but I don't know. Last I bought was a 2002 Honda civic and it had a donut spare. Like you said I don't think many people know what to do with a spare any more but AAA I believe only offers to put your spare on for you so if you don't have one you might be $hit out of luck with them too. Then as someone else said it's rare to need one. And it saves weight/fuel to not carry the spare. But I did have 2 blow within a months time a couple years back. I mean to the point I couldn't drive on it. I now carry a $5 (sale price) harbor freight air pump and a surprisingly good tire plugging kit from harbor freight ($2 on sale) in each vehicle and while I haven't needed them on the road for my car I have plugged other folks tires while they were still on their car for them--easier than installing the spare. Also carry small set of pliers to pull nails and disposable gloves to keep hands clean.

Dean Olson · Aug 1, 2012

I have spares on everything. But haven't changed a tire on the side of the road in 10+years. I keep up with them at home and get them changed as needed.

red.green · Aug 1, 2012

Just had to tell my favorite spare tire story, BIL was headed to work one day with a company owned pickup truck. He was headed to fast into a construction zone and tried to beat the car next to him. He hit something on the passenger’s side and blew both tires on that side. He pulled off the road father down and changed out one tire with the good spare and re-hung the blowout under the truck. He then proceeded to call the dispatcher and told him that he blew a tire and the spare was also bad. They sent out a truck with two spares to replace the blown tire and the blown “spare” they never did catch on…

Richard from SE AZ · Aug 1, 2012

I don't ever get out of sight without a spare. Seen too many cars on the side of the road up on a jack, tire gone with no one around. As said before, Better to have it etc,. my wife is a small woman but hates small cars. Always buys big. Merc. grand etc always has a full size spare.

ss55 · Aug 1, 2012

You can pay an extra $200 for a full size wheel and spare tire if you really want one.

I haven't had to use a spare tire in the last 25 years, and that was a flat tire on a rental car, so I had no air pump. The 1994 pickup has a still new full size spare that has never been installed on an axle. The 1996 car has a small dounut spare that also has never been used. I do carry a small 12 volt air compressor in the trunk of the car ($30 & weighs less than 5 pounds) and a hand pump in the truck.

About every ten years I'll get a nail in a tire but it's always a slow leak that can be checked and maybe pumped up every 30 to 60 minutes of driving. I'll keep traveling to limp into a town for repair or keep traveling to my over-night stop if it is after business hours. I take the vehicle to a repair shop the get the tire fixed and I'm on my way.

The 12 volt compressor is much easier to use than a hand pump.

OT Spare Tires

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