Why do many car manufacturers remove spare tires?

To reduce fuel consumption, automakers look for ways to reduce vehicle weight. The spare tire is one of the first burdens to go.

Twenty-eight percent of 2017 model year vehicles sold in the U.S. did not come standard with a spare tire. “That’s a huge problem for drivers who have tire trouble and are stuck on the side of the road,” said Susan Hiltz, AAA’s director of public affairs. Tire repair kits aren’t always available, so drivers are forced to call tow trucks.

According to a survey by AAA, the number of 28% of 2017 model year vehicles without spare tires is down from 36% of 2015 model year vehicles. However, compared to only 5% of 2006 model year vehicles, it is a huge increase.

So will spare tires disappear, the way cassette players in cars disappear? Maybe. Carmakers don’t just hate the weight; they also hate the extra cost of something resembling a spare tire.

To prepare for any situation on the road, AAA recommends drivers learn everything about their vehicle, from whether or not it has a spare tire to regularly checking tire pressure. Many new cars now come with tire pressure warning systems that let drivers know when their tires need to be inflated.

The heavy spare tire is something that needs to be eliminated as car manufacturers face pressure to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Some models also come standard with run-flat tires (which allow the car to travel at high speeds for a longer distance even if the tire is punctured, thanks to the special tire construction). These tires are more expensive than regular tires.

The problem is that many customers call for help instead of changing a tire themselves when they encounter problems on the road. Many young drivers do not know how to change a tire, with a rate of about 20% according to a recent study by AAA. And among male drivers, about 97% know how to change a tire, while among women, the rate is only 68%.

Instead of spare tires, some automakers now include repair kits that can plug small leaks. But these kits won’t work if the tire blows out or if there’s damage to the sidewall. Experts recommend replacing tires after 28,000 miles or more, or five or six years after the tire’s manufacturing date.

According to VNE