Spare tire trend a hassle for drivers — AAA

ORLANDO, Fla. — The vehicle industry's growing practice of eliminating the spare tire is creating "unnecessary hassle and expense" for drivers, according to car owners club AAA Inc., which said it responded to 450,000 emergency calls last year from drivers stranded without a spare tire.

AAA notes that its research shows 28 percent of 2017 model-year vehicles are not equipped with a spare tire as standard equipment.

"Having a flat tire can be a nuisance for drivers, but not having a spare could put them in an even more aggravating situation," said John Nielsen, AAA's managing director of automotive engineering and repair.

"This can turn the relatively routine process of changing a tire at the roadside into an inconvenient and costly situation that requires a tow to a repair facility."

AAA estimates nearly 20 percent of U.S. drivers do not know how to change a flat tire, based on its own research.

In addition, Mr. Nielsen said the combination of low-profile tires and no spare make newer vehicles especially vulnerable to roadside tire trouble.

AAA notes that vehicle makers are eliminating the spare tire in an effort to reduce weight and improve fuel economy.

In most cases, vehicle makers increasingly are including tire-inflator kits that can repair small punctures temporarily, but AAA cites a 2015 study that shows tire-inflator kits have limited functionality and cannot provide even a temporary fix for many tire-related problems, including sidewall damage or blowouts.

In addition, AAA claims that inflation kits can cost up to 10 times more than a tire repair and have a shelf life of only four to eight years.

To prevent drivers from being stranded in the event of a flat tire, AAA offers these precautionary tips:

• Do not assume there's a spare. When purchasing a new vehicle, always ask for a detailed list of equipment and whether a spare tire can be purchased.

• Inspect all five tires. Check tire pressures monthly and have all tires inspected as part of routine maintenance. If your vehicle has a spare tire, be sure that it's properly inflated.

• Read ahead. If your vehicle is equipped with a tire-inflator kit, read the owner's manual and understand how it works and its limitations.

• Check expiration dates. If your vehicle is equipped with a tire-inflator kit, check its expiration date. Most need to be replaced every four to eight years.

• Consider roadside assistance coverage. Roadside assistance coverage can offer peace of mind when faced with roadside trouble, including a flat tire.