If a car maker decides to eliminate the spare tire from a vehicle, there are two roads that they can take to compensate in the event your tire needs fixing, or perhaps a replacement.
First there is an emergency tire inflation kit. These come with a specially-designed can of compressed air that has a liquid sealer. The way you use the device works is easy. When you end up with a flat, you connect the can’s inflation hose to the tire’s valve stem and both an internal sealant and compressed air are put into the tire. A sealant plugs the leak and compressed air fills your tire.
If you choose to purchase an emergency tire inflation kit, there are many available options. Seek out kits that claim to be water soluble, as they will be easier for a repair place to clean up. Also look for ones that are okay for the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). For those who insist on doing things the old way, and there isn’t anything bad about this, if your car doesn’t have a spare tire, think about purchasing a “spare tire kit” from your local dealership or a third-party supplier. These kits usually come with a spare tire, a lug wrench and a vehicle jack. You may have to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 for one of these kits, but, more importantly, a kit like this could relieve a bit of anxiety if a tire goes out and you are away from home. In ideal situations, Centralavenuechryslerjeep.com insists that tire inflation kits work out great, especially on your typical tread-based punctures (for example, from a nail) but if the tire was damaged on a sidewall, a tire inflation kit might not be any help, particularly if the damage is a “cut”, not a puncture. Whether your kit is from the dealer or is one you purchased separately, look at your storage directions, as some are high pressure and can’t tolerate the high temperatures of a car’s interior throughout the summer months.
Run-flat tires are another option. Run-flat or zero-pressure tires support a vehicle’s weight for a short time, providing a driver with around 100 miles of driving distance to find a repair shop. One complaint about possible replacement is money. If a run-flat tire has to be replaced, it is almost always expensive – particularly if you’re away from home and absolutely need to get the tire replaced fast to get back on the road. Another issue with run-flat tires is riding on them pushes the driver to quickly find a garage so the tire can be fixed or replaced.
If it turns out you have a spare tire on your vehicle in the present day, be prepared a future vehicle to not have one. Many cars manufactured in the last few years lack spare tires. In fact, according to AAA, dealers sold 36% of 2015 model-year vehicles without a spare tire. You may think that not including a spare tire on a vehicle is a way for the auto makers to save money but that isn’t the reason. The real reason is to reduce the car’s weight. In today’s mission for higher fuel economy, every pound is important. By taking a full time spare from a car, automakers can take close to 30 pounds from a vehicle.
Article Courtesy of: Central Avenue Chrysler Jeep
