You're cruising down I-285 or heading to a grocery store run when – BOOM – a tire blows. You pull over, pop the trunk, and reach for the spare… only to find absolutely nothing. No tire, jack, or wrench; nothing but empty plastic compartments where life-saving gear should be.
It sounds like a mistake. But in today’s car market, it’s disturbingly common. And for some Atlanta drivers, it’s already caused dangerous situations.
The Weight of Convenience: Why Spare Tires Are Disappearing
According to five years of testing by Consumer Reports, about 90% of modern vehicles don’t come with a full-sized spare tire anymore. In fact:
- 40% of cars only come with a sealant and a compressor.
- 10% come with no emergency tools at all.
Why the shift? Automakers are under pressure to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Eliminating the spare, jack, and tools can save 30–50 pounds. That’s enough to meet some federal fuel economy thresholds. But what’s gained in MPG is lost in emergency readiness. (source)
A Dangerous Oversight
Roy, an Atlanta-area driver, learned the hard way that his Ford Focus didn’t include a spare. After hitting a pothole, his tire was shredded. He opened the trunk expecting to do a quick change, but was met with... nothing.
Even worse, the dealership never told him the spare was missing. And while it’s not illegal to sell a car without one, failing to disclose it is a serious transparency failure. When Roy called the dealer, they simply shrugged it off with no help or explanation.
A Family Scare on the Interstate
In a more personal and frightening case, my own daughter, Jess, was heading to work in Atlanta when her tire exploded on the interstate at 70 mph. The noise was jarring and the handling was scary, but she safely pulled over.
The tire? Shredded beyond repair. The trunk? Empty.
A good Samaritan eventually got her to a tire shop, but the incident shook her family. Like millions of Americans, Jess never thought to check for a spare. They had always come standard, so she assumed that was still the case. After all, she bought the car new in 2022.
But that assumption could’ve cost her life.
What You Can Do: Check Before You’re Stranded
These stories aren’t about bad luck. They’re about preventable surprises. Here’s how you can avoid a similar fate:
- Pop the trunk today. Don’t wait for a blowout to find out. Look for a spare, jack, and lug wrench.
- Get familiar with sealant kits. If that’s all your car came with, learn how to use it effectively. It won’t help in every situation, especially with sidewall damage, but it’s good to have for quick fixes.
- Ask questions when car shopping. Don’t assume a new or certified-used vehicle includes emergency gear. Make sure the answer is in writing.
- Buy a backup. If your car didn’t include a spare, look into buying a compatible donut tire and tool kit from a reputable source.
Don’t Let a Flat Leave You Flat-Footed
Atlanta’s roads aren’t getting smoother, and Georgia’s weather doesn’t spare tires either. Before your next drive, take a moment to check your trunk. What you don’t find might surprise you, and that surprise could leave you stuck, stranded, or worse.
Shopping for a new car soon? Make this your first question at the dealership:
“Where’s the spare?”