Don't Be Caught Without a Spare Tire

It's a simple expectation. You're driving along and hit a bump, and suddenly your tire is flat. So you pull over and go to take out your spare. You expect to find it in your trunk, or sometimes underneath your vehicle. But one consumer found himself in just that situation, but with no spare to be found. What's going on? Here's what you need to know to stay safe on the road.

An Unpleasant Surprise

79-year-old Roy Nesby knows a thing or two about car care. So when he was out shopping and hit a pothole, he wasn't too alarmed at the resulting flat tire. He pulled over to a safe spot and went to his trunk for his spare. But what he found surprised him. There was no spare, no jack, not anything. He thought there must have been some mistake. But when he called the dealership where he got his car, they told him there was nothing they could do.

A Common Practice

While a spare tire in every car was once standard, that is no longer the case. As regulations have pushed for better mileage, engineers and designers have been looking for ways to shave extra pounds off the vehicles they design. One was to do that is to remove the spare tire. A spare tire and the tools to install it can weight 50 pounds or more, depending on the vehicle type. To increase mileage, nearly a third of all cars today are sold without spare tires.

TrustDALE Solved the Problem

Roy was concerned that if he ever has another flat, he won't have the tools he needs to get back on the road. His dealership didn't seem interested in helping him, so he reached out to the TrustDALE team. Luckily, we were able to get Roy a spare, a jack, and a lug wrench to keep in his car. Now he can feel assured that he won't be left stranded again.

If you're purchasing a new car, make sure that you check for a spare tire. If it's not there, ask the dealership about it. Many dealerships offer roadside assistance when they sell you a vehicle, so they assume you don't need a spare. But you don't always have the time to wait for a tow truck to come and replace your tire. If you have the skills and just want to be on your way, a spare tire is handy. Some cars today are sold with alternatives to a spare tire, like an inflation and sealant tool to get you back on the road with your current tire, at least until you can get a replacement. If so, make sure you know how to use the tool before you get on the road.