Spare Tires Disappearing

More than one-fourth (28%) of 2017-model vehicles sold in the U.S. came with a tire repair kit or run-flat tires in place of a conventional spare tire, according to auto insurer AAA.

Although the spare-less rate is down slightly from 2015, it is more than five times higher than it was a decade ago. In 2006, only 5% of new vehicles were sold without a spare tire on board.

Eliminating the spare tire cuts weight, thus boosts fuel efficiency. Run-flat tires, which have reinforced side walls and other enhancements, can continue to run for 50 to 100 miles after a flat. Tire-inflator kits can plug small leaks but can be pricey and have a limited shelf life, AAA notes.

AAA’s roadside assistance data show that tire-related problems are one of the top reasons why its members call for assistance, with 450,000 such calls last year. This includes drivers who requested help in vehicles equipped with a spare tire. A previous AAA study indicated that nearly 20% of U.S. drivers don’t know how to change a flat tire.