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I had a Miata that I picked up used. I was surprised to learn to save weight they did not include a spare tire with my touring model. Made me nervous but never had a flat.
I bought a Pacifica last year and much to my surprise while looking for the spare I found out it did not have one either from the factory. And I can order one, for about $500? Are you kidding???
Makes me wonder what would happen if I were out a ways traveling and called for support. What other option would they have but to tow me?
I am thinking I will pick up a used tire and rim somewhere just in case.
You are absolutely right that if you got a flat you'd have to get towed to a tire shop. Not fun to do at 11pm when they are all closed. At least with a spare wheel handy, you can get around until you get to a tire shop.
Lots of cars are foregoing the spare. Carry some fix a flat for an emergency, if you really need to get on the road but keep in mind it tends to mean you now need an entire tire vs a simple patch if it's just a nail in tire.
Check eBay for spare tires. Dealer prices tend to be massively inflated
You can carry a 12v air compressor and plug kit. This doesn't take up much space, and might get you going depending upon how much your tire is damaged.
That $500 included the tire, wheel and tools and the panel for the side of the van that is now blanked due to the lack of the spare tire option.
I do carry a small 12 volt compressor, a couple cans of fix a flat and an old fashioned tired repair kit with the glue and such. Never had to use it on one of the newer cars that have not had a spare yet and hope I don't have to.
But in the past I have had blow outs and tires that got damaged from stuff in the road. So it still makes me nervous that they don't supply a spare and tools to change it.
Believe it or not there are people that either don't know how to change a tire or are simply unable to change a tire. So it doesn't matter if there is a spare or not.
Tire shops typically use impact wrenches to overtorque your lugs. The weenie little tire iron they give you doesn’t really do a good job of breaking the torque on the wheel. Most people don’t want to change a tire on the side of a highway anyway. I used a spare once in 30 years.
As OP noted, many still offer it as an accessory essentially rather than baking it into the cost of every vehicle. The spare isn't gone, just whether to buy it became optional. More choice is a good thing.
If you drive around town its just extra weight. I only care my spare tires when I am on a road trip.
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