The fact that spare tires are no longer standard equipment on many newer-model cars can come as a surprise when you get a flat tire. While many new light trucks and larger SUVs come with a spare, many new vehicles do not include a regular-sized spare. Show
About one-third of new vehicles are not equipped with a full-size spare tire. Instead, many are equipped with a space-saver (donut) spare or tire sealant and inflation kit. Getting a flat tire is a major hassle and can be costly. Here’s what to know about spares, including why more vehicles don’t come with one, how to decide if you really need one, and the upsides and downsides of inflator kits. Which New Car & SUV Models Don’t Include a Spare?The answer to that question is complicated as the number of vehicles that do not include a spare continues to change. See Consumer Reports partial list of spare-less vehicle models. It can be difficult to tell which vehicles and models come with a spare and which don’t. Especially since some trim levels include a spare tire, but not all. Do your research before you head out to the dealership. And ask the sales rep directly. If you’ve recently bought a newer model car, be sure to double-check that it has a spare or flat tire option. That way you’re prepared in case of a flat. Why Aren’t Some New Cars Coming With a Spare Tire?There are several reasons why automakers have removed or minimized the spare tire.
Where Can I Buy or Replace a Spare Tire?According to most automakers, a spare tire should only be used to get from where you discovered your flat tire to the nearest tire repair shop. But what should you do when that spare tire needs to be replaced? The answer depends on the type and size of spare that originally came with your vehicle. See Les Schwab to get the right spare for your vehicle. What Are Alternatives to a Spare Tire? Are They Any Good?Some new cars are coming from the factory equipped with inflator kits or run-flat tires that claim to make the spare tire unnecessary. There are upsides and downsides to these alternatives. What Is a Run-flat Tire?Run-flat tires were first designed decades ago to improve safety and steering performance of high-end sports cars in case of a tire failure. These tires were (and still are) built with either a reinforced sidewall or an internal support ring to carry the vehicle’s weight if the tire suddenly loses air pressure. Since then, run-flat tires have become more common on everyday vehicles, allowing drivers to travel without air in their tires for up to 50 miles at less than 50 MPH before getting the tire repaired or replaced. Potential Downsides of a Run-flat TireDriving on a run-flat for even the shortest of distances will ruin the tire. This means it will need to be replaced. Plus, if you’re somewhere remote and get a flat, you may not be within range of the next tire repair shop. Other downsides include higher prices and reduced ride comfort. What Is a Donut Tire?Also known as a donut spare or space-saver tire, donut tires were designed to save space in smaller vehicles. If you drive a compact or smaller vehicle, you may have a space-saver spare. Potential Downsides of a Donut TireThese tires have less traction than your regular tires, are smaller, should not be driven at speeds over 50 miles per hour, and should not be used for more than 50 miles. What Is a Self-sealing Tire?Self-sealing tires are coated on the inside with a special sealant. When an object on the road pierces the tread, the sealant material is designed to surround the object and prevent air from escaping from the tire. This gives you time to get to a tire repair shop. Potential Downsides of a Self-sealing TireThe self-sealing tire won't work if a puncture is more than a quarter inch in diameter. They also don’t work for holes in the sidewall of the tire. Self-sealing tires can be difficult to repair. What Are Inflator Kits?Inflator/sealant kits offer a temporary fix for minor tread punctures. With many kits, you simply remove the cap from your tire’s air-inflation valve, connect the inflator kit, and then spray the sealant into the tire. Potential Downsides of an Inflator KitTire sealant kits only work on small holes in the tread, and don’t work at all for slits or holes in the sidewall. Sealants also leave grime inside the tire that can affect your TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system), the safety equipment that alerts you if you’ve lost air in a tire. Any time you use a sealant, there is a good chance you’ll need to have the TPMS sensors replaced. When Is It Ok to Go Without a Spare Tire? And Not?If you’re buying a new car, here are five tips to help decide if you need a spare, based on cost, safety and convenience, where you live, and what type of driving you do.
Les Schwab Tires Provides Free Flat Repairs. As long as you purchased your tires from us, we repair fixable flat tires for free. Find a store near you. Does the 2023 Honda hybrid CRV have a spare tire?By now, you're aware that your Honda CRV Hybrid is missing a spare tire. Like many carmakers, The CRV Hybrid does not come from the factory equipped with this important lifesaver.
Does Honda CRUnlike older versions of the Honda CRV, the 2021 Honda CRV does not have a spare tire. But that doesn't mean that a flat tire will put you in a bind. Honda includes a tire inflator kit for the 2021 CRV, which includes an air compressor you can plug into the car, as well as a tire sealant.
Will the 2023 CRV be hybrid?The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid comes in two trims: Sport and Sport Touring. Both models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard on the base Sport trim, and all-wheel drive can be added for $1,500.
What is the life expectancy of a Honda CRV hybrid?Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent. Ah, the love between a person and their car—it's a beautiful thing. Honda CRVs are reliable and usually last for a while—typically about 250,000 to 300,000 miles.
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