Spare Tires Relic of Past, AAA Says

Put this on your "To Do" list this weekend: Check to see if your car has a spare tire.

Chances are, it doesn’t.

Spare tires in new cars have become as obsolete as cassette tapes and Esso tiger tails protruding from gas tanks, experts say.

In light of new government fuel efficiency standards, some manufacturers are getting rid of heavy spare tires and replacing them with emergency sealant and an inflator kit.

Or, they are just making tires that can run reasonable distances without air if they are damaged, according to AAA-Mid-Atlantic.

The Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency established new corporate average fuel economy standards for vehicle model years 2012 to 2016. 

As a result, manufacturers have determined eliminating a spare tire helped reduce the weight of vehicles, thus increasing fuel efficiency, according to AAA. 

A spare tire, related tools and a jack can weigh more than 40 pounds.

“Unfortunately, many owners may be unaware that their late model vehicle has no spare tire until they have a flat tire or a blow-out, and that could cause anxiety on the side of the road,” said Jeff Boone, district manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Frederick and Towson Car Care Centers. 

There are more than 700 new automobile makes and models on the marketplace today. Of those, 51 models come equipped with full-size matching spare tires, AAA officials said.

AAA Mid-Atlantic recommends you take the following steps:

• Inspect the car and consult your owner’s manual. If the vehicle has a spare, be sure it is properly inflated and stowed.
• If you do not have a spare tire, ensure your vehicle has an alternate solution. Options include the run-flat tires that allow the car to be driven to a safe location, or an emergency sealant and inflator kit. 
• If you carry a sealant, AAA Mid-Atlantic recommends that you check the date and replace it every five years or after its use. Sealant can become less effective with age.