The Day You Need a Spare Isn’t the Time to Discover You Don’t Have One

You’re driving along, maybe headed to work or running errands, when you hear the dreaded thud of a blown tire. You pull over, pop the trunk, and reach for the spare—only to find… nothing. No tire. No jack. Not even a lug wrench.

It sounds like a mistake. But for an increasing number of drivers, it’s standard.

That’s exactly what happened to Roy Nesby, who learned the hard way that his Ford Focus didn’t come with a spare. And he’s far from alone.

 

The Quiet Disappearance of the Spare Tire

According to five years of test data from Consumer Reports, approximately 90% of vehicles do not come with a full-sized spare tire, and only 50% have a temporary spare (a “donut”). About 40% only come with a compressor and sealant kit, and 10% come with nothing at all (source).  Why? Automakers are under pressure to improve fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle weight. A spare tire, jack, and tools can add up to 50 pounds—a hefty hit when you’re trying to meet federal fuel economy standards.

Instead, most manufacturers only include a sealant kit and a small air compressor, neither of which helps if you’ve got a blown-out sidewall or shredded tread from a pothole.

In Roy’s case, his tire was destroyed after hitting a pothole during a shopping trip. When he checked his trunk, expecting to patch things up himself, there was no spare. Not even the tools to remove the damaged tire.

And the kicker? The dealership never told him the car didn’t come with one.

 

A spare tire, jack, and tools can add up to 50 pounds, so manufacturers often don't include them (Source: DALL-E)

 

What Dealerships Don’t Tell You—But Should

When Roy called the dealership where he bought the car, their response was less than helpful. They claimed there was nothing they could do—despite the fact that he was never told his new vehicle lacked a spare.

This kind of omission isn’t technically illegal, but it is a glaring failure in transparency. Buyers are often so focused on the price, mileage, or features that they don’t think to check whether a basic necessity—like a spare tire—is missing.

We’ve gotten used to thinking of a spare as a given. But in today’s market, it’s not.

That’s why Roy reached out to TrustDALE’s consumer problem-solving team. And after hearing his story, we stepped in to help. We tracked down a spare tire and jack, then surprised Roy with both—so he wouldn’t be stranded again.

 

This Isn’t Just Roy’s Story—It Happened to Dale’s Daughter Too
In October 2024, Dale’s daughter, Jess, was driving to work on a busy Atlanta interstate, cruising at about 70 mph, when a loud bang broke the morning calm. What followed wasn’t the familiar drag of a typical flat tire—it was a strange rumble that made her think something far worse had happened.

“I honestly thought my engine blew,” she later recalled. “It just didn’t feel like a normal flat.”

Fortunately, Jess stayed calm and managed to guide the car safely to the shoulder. When she got out and inspected the damage, she found the tire completely shredded—beyond repair. 

When her tire blew, Jess discovered the tire beyond repair, and her new car wasn’t equipped with the supplies she needed to get off the interstate (Source: Jess Long)

 

Like most drivers, she figured she’d grab the spare from the trunk and be on her way. But there was nothing. No jack, no wrench, not even a donut tire. Just an empty compartment with space where the emergency gear should have been.

Thankfully, a kind passerby stopped to help. He gave Jess a ride to a nearby tire shop, where she purchased a replacement. He also had the tools needed to install the new tire, and with his help, Jess was back on the road—only an hour behind schedule.

Needless to say, Dale and his wife Angie were shaken. Not just because their daughter accepted a ride from a stranger—though that alone was cause for concern—but because the situation could have ended very differently. Why didn’t the car include any equipment to help her handle an emergency like this?

The reality is, Jess had no reason to suspect the car didn’t come with a spare. She bought it new in 2022 and had never needed one before. Like millions of other drivers, she assumed the trunk was fully stocked.

It was a hard-earned lesson for the entire family—and one Dale is determined to share so that no one else’s child or elderly parent ends up stranded in a potentially dangerous situation, completely unprepared.

 

What You Can Do Now to Avoid Being Stranded

You don’t have to be caught off guard like Roy—or Dale’s daughter. A few quick steps can save you from a serious roadside headache:

  • Check your trunk today. Don’t assume your vehicle came with a spare. Open the trunk or storage compartment and look for the spare tire, jack, and tools.
  • Learn how to use a sealant kit. If your vehicle came with an inflator/sealant system, take a few minutes to read the manual or watch a how-to video from the manufacturer.
  • Ask before you buy. If you’re in the market for a new (or used) vehicle, ask the dealer directly: “Does this car come with a spare tire and jack?” Make sure the answer is part of the paperwork.
  • Consider buying a spare separately. Some companies offer compact “donut” tires and jack kits that are compatible with specific makes and models. Just make sure you’re buying from a reputable source.

A Small Check Can Make a Big Difference

In the age of fuel economy and convenience, some automakers have traded preparedness for pounds. But as Roy and Jess learned, the road doesn’t care if your car saves a few MPGs—when your tire blows, you need a real solution.

Before your next drive, take a minute to open the trunk. What you find—or don’t find—could make all the difference.

And if you’re shopping for a vehicle soon? Bring this question with you to the dealership: “Where’s the spare?”