Vehicle spare tires are on the endangered list because of new fuel economy rules, and may soon be a thing of the past. Have you looked for yours lately? Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, tells you why you should look now.
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If you’re buying a new car, it’s important to know whether or not it comes with a spare tire. This maybe a consideration when purchasing your next vehicle.
To meet new government fuel-efficiency standards, some vehicle manufacturers are omitting heavy spare tires and equipping new vehicles with an emergency sealant and inflator kit. Others are providing tires that, if damaged, can run reasonable distances without air. These tires are known as run-flats.
New standards set by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency require a combined 29.7 mpg for the 2012 model year, increasing to 34.1 mpg by 2016.
One way to meet these standards is to reduce vehicle weight. A spare tire, related tools, and a jack can weigh more than 40 lbs - weight that can be eliminated without adding cost to the vehicle.
Unfortunately, many vehicle owners may be unaware that their vehicle has no spare tire until after they experience a flat. Check your owner's manual to see what your vehicle is equipped with and adjust your emergency kit as needed. This may mean that you prefer a tire inflation product or having to purchase run-flat tires when yours are worn.
Vehicles without a spare tire:
Acura - FCX Clarity: Inflator and sealant kit
Aston Martin – All models have an inflator and sealant kit
Audi:
•A5 (2008 – 2011): Runflats
•A6 (2009 – 2011): Runflats
•A7 (2011): Runflats
•Q5 (2009 – 2011): Spare tire stored w/out air. Inflator is provided
•Q7 (2007 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•S4 (2006 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•S5 (2008 – 2011): Runflats
•TT (2008 – 2011): No spare. Inflator and sealant kit.
BMW – All vehicles are equipped with Runflats, except:
•1M: Inflator and sealant kit
•M3: Inflator and sealant kit
•X5 (2007 – 2011): Spare tire optional, Runflats are installed when not equipped with a spare
•X6 (2009 – 2011): Spare tire optional, Runflats are installed when not equipped with a spare
Cadillac:
•CTS (2008 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator and sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•SRX (2010 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator and sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•STS (2005 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator and sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•XLR (2004 – 2009): Runflats
Chevrolet:
•Camaro (2010 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator and sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•Corvette (2005 – 2011): Runflats
•Cruze (2011): Inflator and sealant kit
•Equinox (2010 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator and sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•Volt (2011): Inflator and sealant kit
Chrysler: All SRT models with 20 inch wheels are not equipped with a spare
Dodge:
Viper (1998 – 2010): Inflator and sealant kit
Ford:
•Explorer (2011): Spare tire optional, inflator and sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•Focus (2008 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator and sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•GT (2005 – 2006): Inflator and sealant kit
•Mustang (2011): Inflator and sealant kit (except GT Base, has spare)
GM:
•Terrain (2010 – 2011) Inflator and sealant kit
Honda:
•Odyssey Touring (2005 – 2010): Runflats
Hyundai:
•Accent (2011 – 2012): Inflator and sealant kit
•Elantra (2011 – 2012): Inflator and sealant kit
•Sonata Hybrid (2011): Inflator and sealant kit
•Veloster (2012): Inflator & sealant kit
Jaguar:
•XF (2009 – 2011): Spare tire optional, Runflats or inflation kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•XK (2007 – 2011): Spare tire optional, Runflats or inflation kit provided when not equipped with a spare
Lexus:
•LF-A (2011): Inflator and sealant kit
•SC series (2003 – 2010): Spare tire optional, Runflats provided when not equipped with a spare
Lotus – All models equipped with inflator and sealant kit
Mazda:
•MX5 (2006 – 2011): Inflator and sealant kit
Mercedes:
•R350 BlueTEC (2011): Runflats
•GL350 BlueTEC (2011): Runflats
•E350 BlueTEC (2011): Runflats
•SLS AMG (2011): Inflator and sealant kit
•SLR McLaren (2005 – 2009): Inflator and sealant kit
Mini (all models) – Spare tire optional, Runflats or inflator and sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
Nissan:
•370z (2009 – 2011): Spare tire optional, inflator & sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
•GT-R (2009 – 2011): Runflats
Pontiac:
•Solstace (2007 – 2009): Tire inflation kit
Porsche:
•Boxster (2005 – 2011): Inflator and sealant kit
•Carrera GT (2004 – 2008): Inflator and sealant kit
•Cayman (2005 – 2011): Inflator and sealant kit
•Panamera (2010 – 2011): Inflator and sealant kit