The death of the spare tire
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I'd only become aware recently that it's become less common for newer cars to have a spare tire. It was a bit of a shock to me.
The norm I'd been accustomed to was that a lot of cars would include a "donut" spare tire; a smaller, lighter, cheaper-to-manufacture thing. It would shave some cost off of the car, probably let the manufacturer increase their MPG rating a bit. However, it was only rated for something like 50 miles (80km) at a limited speed (say, 55mph or 90km/h) before it should be replaced. It was really designed to let a driver reach the closest tire shop and get a regular tire replaced.
What my dad always did, and recommended, and what I'd done, was replacing the thing with a full-size tire. That way, when you have a flat, it's not all that much of a problem. You just swap in the new tire, and next time it happens to be convenient, you get a new full-size tire. In my experience, spare tire wells included the space for a full-size tire; the manufacturer just didn't provide you with one.
However, in 2025, the situation doesn't look like that much anymore.
A number of spare tire wells don't appear to have enough space for a full-size spare tire. This seems, in my quick skim, to be something more common with hybrids or BEVs than ICEs, I assume because the battery is space-constrained and the tire is competition for space (and in the case of BEVs, range).
Some vehicles apparently ship with "run flat" tires. These can be driven for a limited distance, and appear to have about the same capabilities as a "donut" spare tire --- they can go about 50 miles at a reduced speed before they need to be replaced, and I assume are aimed at letting one reach a tire shop.
A number of vehicles don't have a spare tire or storage space for one or a jack at all; for example, the 2025 Corolla Hybrid. The manufacturer provides a pump and a goop kit, and the idea is that if a flat is only a slow leak, one can hopefully nurse the car along well enough with that to reach a tire shop.
As best I can tell, full-size spares are only common today with pickups or off-road oriented vehicles.
I assume that part of this is because cell phone coverage is more widespread now, and the idea is that one should just call for roadside assistance and have them bring and change it. I saw some discussion on Reddit talking about how a lot of younger people don't know how to change a spare tire.
I'm not entirely sanguine about this. While I'll agree that it can save a bit of space, I really prefer knowing that even if I get a flat, the worst that can happen to me, even if I'm outside of cell range, is that I go swap in a new tire. I've only rarely gotten flats, but it's something that I'd certainly rather have.
I guess that one could just put a tire in a trunk or hatchback/crossover/SUV's cargo space as long as one is willing to expend some cargo space, but especially with a hatchback/crossover/SUV, I'm not entirely enthralled about the idea of having something large and unsecured crashing around the cabin in the event of a crash; normally, a spare tire well prevents shifting around and has a system for securing the tire.
Thoughts? Is a spare tire something that you want to have today in your vehicle?
Went on a cabin trip last weekend, with a 2010-something corolla rental.
"Oh neat, no spare tire so we can use the the tire well for dry food -- how practical!"
In retrospect, I would have taken the spare tire.
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It seems most manufacturers have eschewed the spare tire completely, due to: lack of driver knowledge, experience, the abundance of roadside assistance, and fuel economy. The extra weight of a donut, or even a full-sized spare, is by & large negligible but it probably nets them like .3 mpg on the fuel economy tests & makes them look better. And considering how often you need a spare, I can see why they justified the tradeoff.
You don't want the donut because, as you said, it's only rated for 50-100 miles at 50 mph tops. If you're lucky! I had one donut fail after a measly 3/4 mile. The donut tire is simply not economical or practical for most people, most situations.
Now a proper full-sized spare tire, a fifth wheel, is AMAZING. I've hit up junkyards for "compatible rims" (same bolt pattern & width or whatever), just any old rim that's the size of yours. Then married that to the least worn tire kept from the last tire change. Now suddenly you're James fucking Bond, a tire goes flat & you change it out within minutes, drop the bad one off at the shop for repair/replacement, and you can go on the full-sized spare for thousands of miles. Ugly! Practical! Hell yeah!
As you said, with cell service & calling out for help, perhaps it's even possible to build out a full-sized spare wheel & leave it at home. Ready to use in case of emergency, just phone a friend to bring it out to you.
I guess it depends on your situation, what you're willing to compromise on, and unlike most of these younger drivers now you know what to do. I have used a full-sized spare in the past. Loved it. I should probably hit up a junkyard soon & grab a "compatible rim" so I can do it again...
Oh and anyone that loves using that goopy run-flat crap hasn't had to clean it up & mount another tire...what a mess! So stupid! I will never use anything like that because I respect my equipment & other people, run-flat goop & StopLeak doesn't fix the problem! It only (poorly!) disguises the symptoms of the problem! Stupid!
️wrote last edited by [email protected]The extra weight of a donut, or even a full-sized spare, is by & large negligible but it probably nets them like .3 mpg on the fuel economy tests & makes them look better.
I'm betting that the critical factor for the manufacturers is space, rather than mass.
https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/upgrading-to-a-full-size-spare-wheel.1690741/
Not sure what trim levels are offered in the US, but the 3.5L V6 here only has a donut while the non-hybrid/2.5L Ascent models get a full size spare.
An HEV should be better-equipped to deal with MPG reduction from weight than an ICE vehicle due to regenerative braking, so if weight is the main constraint, I'd expect the HEV to have the full-size spare. But the opposite is true; it's the ICE vehicle that has the full-size spare. The HEV needs more space for its extra hardware, so my guess is that a lack of available space is what's pushing the full-size spare tire out.
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I'd only become aware recently that it's become less common for newer cars to have a spare tire. It was a bit of a shock to me.
The norm I'd been accustomed to was that a lot of cars would include a "donut" spare tire; a smaller, lighter, cheaper-to-manufacture thing. It would shave some cost off of the car, probably let the manufacturer increase their MPG rating a bit. However, it was only rated for something like 50 miles (80km) at a limited speed (say, 55mph or 90km/h) before it should be replaced. It was really designed to let a driver reach the closest tire shop and get a regular tire replaced.
What my dad always did, and recommended, and what I'd done, was replacing the thing with a full-size tire. That way, when you have a flat, it's not all that much of a problem. You just swap in the new tire, and next time it happens to be convenient, you get a new full-size tire. In my experience, spare tire wells included the space for a full-size tire; the manufacturer just didn't provide you with one.
However, in 2025, the situation doesn't look like that much anymore.
A number of spare tire wells don't appear to have enough space for a full-size spare tire. This seems, in my quick skim, to be something more common with hybrids or BEVs than ICEs, I assume because the battery is space-constrained and the tire is competition for space (and in the case of BEVs, range).
Some vehicles apparently ship with "run flat" tires. These can be driven for a limited distance, and appear to have about the same capabilities as a "donut" spare tire --- they can go about 50 miles at a reduced speed before they need to be replaced, and I assume are aimed at letting one reach a tire shop.
A number of vehicles don't have a spare tire or storage space for one or a jack at all; for example, the 2025 Corolla Hybrid. The manufacturer provides a pump and a goop kit, and the idea is that if a flat is only a slow leak, one can hopefully nurse the car along well enough with that to reach a tire shop.
As best I can tell, full-size spares are only common today with pickups or off-road oriented vehicles.
I assume that part of this is because cell phone coverage is more widespread now, and the idea is that one should just call for roadside assistance and have them bring and change it. I saw some discussion on Reddit talking about how a lot of younger people don't know how to change a spare tire.
I'm not entirely sanguine about this. While I'll agree that it can save a bit of space, I really prefer knowing that even if I get a flat, the worst that can happen to me, even if I'm outside of cell range, is that I go swap in a new tire. I've only rarely gotten flats, but it's something that I'd certainly rather have.
I guess that one could just put a tire in a trunk or hatchback/crossover/SUV's cargo space as long as one is willing to expend some cargo space, but especially with a hatchback/crossover/SUV, I'm not entirely enthralled about the idea of having something large and unsecured crashing around the cabin in the event of a crash; normally, a spare tire well prevents shifting around and has a system for securing the tire.
Thoughts? Is a spare tire something that you want to have today in your vehicle?
I thought this was going to be a weight loss post, lol.
My car had one of the little ones but it's been the best tire left when I got new tires since the first time I got new tires. Yes I carry a spare, there is a well for it in the trunk. 2014 Honda.
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Went on a cabin trip last weekend, with a 2010-something corolla rental.
"Oh neat, no spare tire so we can use the the tire well for dry food -- how practical!"
In retrospect, I would have taken the spare tire.
Huh. I wonder if rental agencies are supposed to provide a spare.
I've certainly never checked to see whether the well has one in a rental before hitting the road, the way you did. I'd probably just wind up unpleasantly surprised if I needed one and it wasn't there.
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I'll add to this, that I've noticed some modern vehicles don't have a 12 volt 'cigarette lighter' socket, and many of the ones that still do have lowered the amperage of the fuse from 20 amps to 15 amps.
While I get that smoking is frowned on and becoming less common, that's not the only thing those sockets are used for. What about a portable 12 volt air pump? Those are rated for 20 amps, so if you try to use one on a 15 amp circuit, you'll almost instantly blow the fuse...
I have a floor-standing bike pump in the trunk from when I had a slow leak. Electric pumps are often loud enough to wake up the neighborhood, heavier, and more expensive. If you're fit enough to do 20 pushups a high-volume bike pump will work fine.
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I have a floor-standing bike pump in the trunk from when I had a slow leak. Electric pumps are often loud enough to wake up the neighborhood, heavier, and more expensive. If you're fit enough to do 20 pushups a high-volume bike pump will work fine.
wrote last edited by [email protected]Can also do both. I keep both a motorized 12V compressor (which runs off a 15 amp circuit) and a manual foot pump in my car, though I've never needed to actually make use of the foot pump.
I have definitely used the compressor, though.
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Honestly, with a bit of practice, you can plug a tire faster than you can put on a spare.
Depends on the failure
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I'd only become aware recently that it's become less common for newer cars to have a spare tire. It was a bit of a shock to me.
The norm I'd been accustomed to was that a lot of cars would include a "donut" spare tire; a smaller, lighter, cheaper-to-manufacture thing. It would shave some cost off of the car, probably let the manufacturer increase their MPG rating a bit. However, it was only rated for something like 50 miles (80km) at a limited speed (say, 55mph or 90km/h) before it should be replaced. It was really designed to let a driver reach the closest tire shop and get a regular tire replaced.
What my dad always did, and recommended, and what I'd done, was replacing the thing with a full-size tire. That way, when you have a flat, it's not all that much of a problem. You just swap in the new tire, and next time it happens to be convenient, you get a new full-size tire. In my experience, spare tire wells included the space for a full-size tire; the manufacturer just didn't provide you with one.
However, in 2025, the situation doesn't look like that much anymore.
A number of spare tire wells don't appear to have enough space for a full-size spare tire. This seems, in my quick skim, to be something more common with hybrids or BEVs than ICEs, I assume because the battery is space-constrained and the tire is competition for space (and in the case of BEVs, range).
Some vehicles apparently ship with "run flat" tires. These can be driven for a limited distance, and appear to have about the same capabilities as a "donut" spare tire --- they can go about 50 miles at a reduced speed before they need to be replaced, and I assume are aimed at letting one reach a tire shop.
A number of vehicles don't have a spare tire or storage space for one or a jack at all; for example, the 2025 Corolla Hybrid. The manufacturer provides a pump and a goop kit, and the idea is that if a flat is only a slow leak, one can hopefully nurse the car along well enough with that to reach a tire shop.
As best I can tell, full-size spares are only common today with pickups or off-road oriented vehicles.
I assume that part of this is because cell phone coverage is more widespread now, and the idea is that one should just call for roadside assistance and have them bring and change it. I saw some discussion on Reddit talking about how a lot of younger people don't know how to change a spare tire.
I'm not entirely sanguine about this. While I'll agree that it can save a bit of space, I really prefer knowing that even if I get a flat, the worst that can happen to me, even if I'm outside of cell range, is that I go swap in a new tire. I've only rarely gotten flats, but it's something that I'd certainly rather have.
I guess that one could just put a tire in a trunk or hatchback/crossover/SUV's cargo space as long as one is willing to expend some cargo space, but especially with a hatchback/crossover/SUV, I'm not entirely enthralled about the idea of having something large and unsecured crashing around the cabin in the event of a crash; normally, a spare tire well prevents shifting around and has a system for securing the tire.
Thoughts? Is a spare tire something that you want to have today in your vehicle?
My last two cars have not had spare tires.
Tire technology has come a long way, and with cellphones are road services, a flat tire is an inconvenience, not a dire emergency.
You can still buy a doughnut or spare for your car and cart it around if you want, but I haven't needed one in the last 12 years of driving, so I don't miss it.
A word of caution, do not use the "fix a flat" unless absolutely necessary. Buy a plug kit and throw it in your trunk instead.
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I have a floor-standing bike pump in the trunk from when I had a slow leak. Electric pumps are often loud enough to wake up the neighborhood, heavier, and more expensive. If you're fit enough to do 20 pushups a high-volume bike pump will work fine.
Our 12 volt pump is actually extremely quiet. Ours is a Power Torque PAC06501.
Very good pump, rated for automotive use, and very quiet for what it is, and pretty lightweight.
It's only had one problem, the 12V plug broke after a while and we had to replace that.
But otherwise, very good pump.
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My last two cars have not had spare tires.
Tire technology has come a long way, and with cellphones are road services, a flat tire is an inconvenience, not a dire emergency.
You can still buy a doughnut or spare for your car and cart it around if you want, but I haven't needed one in the last 12 years of driving, so I don't miss it.
A word of caution, do not use the "fix a flat" unless absolutely necessary. Buy a plug kit and throw it in your trunk instead.
What's wrong with "fix a flat"? I'm pretty sure the tires on my first car had more of that than air by the time I got rid of it.
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What's wrong with "fix a flat"? I'm pretty sure the tires on my first car had more of that than air by the time I got rid of it.
wrote last edited by [email protected]It works by blowing a bunch of nasty goop through your valve stem and TPMS. Then your tire guy has to get all of that shit out of there (and possibly order and wait for a new TPMS) before they can mount a new tire. Most flats that are small enough to to be fixed with fix-a-flat are small enough that you can just pump up the tire and drive to the shop. Bigger punctures are going to require a plug anyway. A plug kit is like 15 bucks. Throw a few in the back of your car, and you'll be a hero when you meet someone stuck on the side of the road.
Other good things I keep in the car... Leatherman multi tool, tire inflator, jumper cables (although probably going to upgrade to a rechargable battery pack in the near future) jack, zip ties, and a wrench set. That will get most people back on the road, or at least a mile or two to a gas station.
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I'd only become aware recently that it's become less common for newer cars to have a spare tire. It was a bit of a shock to me.
The norm I'd been accustomed to was that a lot of cars would include a "donut" spare tire; a smaller, lighter, cheaper-to-manufacture thing. It would shave some cost off of the car, probably let the manufacturer increase their MPG rating a bit. However, it was only rated for something like 50 miles (80km) at a limited speed (say, 55mph or 90km/h) before it should be replaced. It was really designed to let a driver reach the closest tire shop and get a regular tire replaced.
What my dad always did, and recommended, and what I'd done, was replacing the thing with a full-size tire. That way, when you have a flat, it's not all that much of a problem. You just swap in the new tire, and next time it happens to be convenient, you get a new full-size tire. In my experience, spare tire wells included the space for a full-size tire; the manufacturer just didn't provide you with one.
However, in 2025, the situation doesn't look like that much anymore.
A number of spare tire wells don't appear to have enough space for a full-size spare tire. This seems, in my quick skim, to be something more common with hybrids or BEVs than ICEs, I assume because the battery is space-constrained and the tire is competition for space (and in the case of BEVs, range).
Some vehicles apparently ship with "run flat" tires. These can be driven for a limited distance, and appear to have about the same capabilities as a "donut" spare tire --- they can go about 50 miles at a reduced speed before they need to be replaced, and I assume are aimed at letting one reach a tire shop.
A number of vehicles don't have a spare tire or storage space for one or a jack at all; for example, the 2025 Corolla Hybrid. The manufacturer provides a pump and a goop kit, and the idea is that if a flat is only a slow leak, one can hopefully nurse the car along well enough with that to reach a tire shop.
As best I can tell, full-size spares are only common today with pickups or off-road oriented vehicles.
I assume that part of this is because cell phone coverage is more widespread now, and the idea is that one should just call for roadside assistance and have them bring and change it. I saw some discussion on Reddit talking about how a lot of younger people don't know how to change a spare tire.
I'm not entirely sanguine about this. While I'll agree that it can save a bit of space, I really prefer knowing that even if I get a flat, the worst that can happen to me, even if I'm outside of cell range, is that I go swap in a new tire. I've only rarely gotten flats, but it's something that I'd certainly rather have.
I guess that one could just put a tire in a trunk or hatchback/crossover/SUV's cargo space as long as one is willing to expend some cargo space, but especially with a hatchback/crossover/SUV, I'm not entirely enthralled about the idea of having something large and unsecured crashing around the cabin in the event of a crash; normally, a spare tire well prevents shifting around and has a system for securing the tire.
Thoughts? Is a spare tire something that you want to have today in your vehicle?
I have a donut spare, and the well has room for a full one. I haven’t bothered upgrading because in over 20 years of driving I’ve never needed one. However, I would feel a bit insecure with nothing, especially when venturing into wilderness.
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I'd only become aware recently that it's become less common for newer cars to have a spare tire. It was a bit of a shock to me.
The norm I'd been accustomed to was that a lot of cars would include a "donut" spare tire; a smaller, lighter, cheaper-to-manufacture thing. It would shave some cost off of the car, probably let the manufacturer increase their MPG rating a bit. However, it was only rated for something like 50 miles (80km) at a limited speed (say, 55mph or 90km/h) before it should be replaced. It was really designed to let a driver reach the closest tire shop and get a regular tire replaced.
What my dad always did, and recommended, and what I'd done, was replacing the thing with a full-size tire. That way, when you have a flat, it's not all that much of a problem. You just swap in the new tire, and next time it happens to be convenient, you get a new full-size tire. In my experience, spare tire wells included the space for a full-size tire; the manufacturer just didn't provide you with one.
However, in 2025, the situation doesn't look like that much anymore.
A number of spare tire wells don't appear to have enough space for a full-size spare tire. This seems, in my quick skim, to be something more common with hybrids or BEVs than ICEs, I assume because the battery is space-constrained and the tire is competition for space (and in the case of BEVs, range).
Some vehicles apparently ship with "run flat" tires. These can be driven for a limited distance, and appear to have about the same capabilities as a "donut" spare tire --- they can go about 50 miles at a reduced speed before they need to be replaced, and I assume are aimed at letting one reach a tire shop.
A number of vehicles don't have a spare tire or storage space for one or a jack at all; for example, the 2025 Corolla Hybrid. The manufacturer provides a pump and a goop kit, and the idea is that if a flat is only a slow leak, one can hopefully nurse the car along well enough with that to reach a tire shop.
As best I can tell, full-size spares are only common today with pickups or off-road oriented vehicles.
I assume that part of this is because cell phone coverage is more widespread now, and the idea is that one should just call for roadside assistance and have them bring and change it. I saw some discussion on Reddit talking about how a lot of younger people don't know how to change a spare tire.
I'm not entirely sanguine about this. While I'll agree that it can save a bit of space, I really prefer knowing that even if I get a flat, the worst that can happen to me, even if I'm outside of cell range, is that I go swap in a new tire. I've only rarely gotten flats, but it's something that I'd certainly rather have.
I guess that one could just put a tire in a trunk or hatchback/crossover/SUV's cargo space as long as one is willing to expend some cargo space, but especially with a hatchback/crossover/SUV, I'm not entirely enthralled about the idea of having something large and unsecured crashing around the cabin in the event of a crash; normally, a spare tire well prevents shifting around and has a system for securing the tire.
Thoughts? Is a spare tire something that you want to have today in your vehicle?
Now most of the cars come with an anti-puncture kit that injects a liquid with an air pump that seals the puncture from the inside.
It’s purpose is to be a temporary fix and you have the same limitations a with the donut tire, however it is more costly to fix the puncture because they have to clean all the shit injected and any remaining can degrade the tire from the inside.
My car (Toyota Yaris 2015) came with said kit, it also has the space for the donut tire, however the manufacturer used it for storing shit that if I put the tire I need to have the other things moving freely and occupying space in the trunk.
