If thoughts of changing that flat tire on the family car in the pouring rain or dangerously close to the side of the road are the stuff of bad dreams, the fact that some automakers are ditching spare tires in some models may give you pause. The trend, it seems, is spreading. While so-called “run-flat” tires have been common for several years on high-priced sports cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette, they haven’t generally been the province of the family sedan. Edmunds says that run-flat tires are standard on only 7.2 percent of new cars, although this has increased 50 percent over the past five years. Another recent change is including a tire repair kit instead of a spare as part of the new-car purchase. According to Edmunds, which has been tracking the use of repair kits since 2009, there are 30 models that use them as a substitute for a spare tire. Tire repair kits, says Edmunds, are standard in 14 percent of current models. Why drop the spare tire at all? According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, automakers save a bundle when they ditch the spare tire.
Not only does losing the spare cut their costs, it also trims weight from the vehicle and contributes to improved gas mileage for the consumer. It also increases trunk space, another consumer benefit. Maybe you haven’t noticed – until you needed to go in the trunk and search for the spare tire after you experienced a blow-out on the highway. Where did the spare go? Beyond that, what are you supposed to do now? If you have roadside assistance – standard in many new vehicles for a certain period – you’re in luck, but some vehicle owners don’t. Better get educated on run-flat tires or how to work the tire repair kit. The run-flat tire is proven technology, so it will only take getting up-to-speed on what it means for your vehicle. As for using the tire repair kit, it isn’t as tough as you might think – but it’s only a temporary solution. And that may be troubling to you. You also might not know – but now you do – that federal regulations don’t require a spare tire, since they’re not considered a safety feature.
The Los Angeles Times article quotes Alan Batey, Chevrolet’s U.S. vice president of sales and service on the situation: “All manufacturers are looking at this. This is one opportunity to get weight out of vehicles and make them more fuel efficient…It will take some time for people to understand this technology.” Cars with no spare tires Here’s a brief – and random – run-down on some of the new cars that are now sold (or soon will be) without a spare tire in the trunk. If you don’t like the idea of buying a car without a spare tire and/or don’t feel comfortable with just a tire-repair kit, what are your options? Without oversimplifying things, it seems like you have several choices: buy an optional spare tire (if it’s available and if you have room in the trunk and don’t mind giving up precious storage space), buy a different model from the same or another manufacturer that still has a spare tire, get used to the idea of no spare and learn about the technology.
After all, in the drive to reduce weight and increase fuel economy – in part, due to higher fuel economy standards going into effect and proposed – automakers have to eke out whatever improvements they can without compromising safety. Maybe we can learn to live without a spare tire after all. Sign up for our free newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. New (17) from $43.71 ACDelco 25758220 GM Original Equipment Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) SensorDetailsACDelco 15234846 GM Original Equipment Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Nut Add-on ItemFREE Shipping on orders over . See all vehicles this product fits. 4 x 4 x 1.4 inches 3.8 out of 5 stars #101,661 in Automotive (See top 100) #94 in Automotive > Wheels & Tires > Accessories & Parts > Tire Accessories & Parts > Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) > Replacement Sensors #1,335 in Automotive > Wheels & Tires > Accessories & Parts > Wheel Accessories & Parts
0.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) ACDelco GM Original Equipment Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors (TPMS) are battery powered sensors located in the tire that monitor the vehicle’s tire pressure, and warn the driver when pressure falls more than 25% below the manufacturer’s recommendations (normally through a slow pressure loss). The sensor is connected with the valve stem, and by way of Radio Frequency (RF) technology, sends pressure updates to the vehicle’s on-board computer. Tire pressure is displayed on the vehicle’s Driver Information Center (DIC), or when low, a warning lamp might be illuminated to warn the driver. The U.S. Federal Regulations require that new cars and light trucks be equipped with TPMS starting in 2008. These original equipment tire pressure monitoring sensors have been manufactured to fit your GM vehicle, providing the same performance, durability, and service life you expect from General Motors. Tire pressure sensors can become damaged if you drive on a flat tire for an extended period of time.
Make sure to get your tire pressure sensor checked if this ever happens to you. It is also important that tire valve components be replaced whenever the tire is removed from the wheel. This will restore proper sealing of the sensor and help preserve the integrity of the TPMS sensor and valve. Maintaining proper tire inflation level is so important that beginning with the 2008 model year, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are now government mandated on most new vehicles. Tire safety studies have also shown that under-inflated tires can degrade vehicle handling, decrease fuel economy, and increase tire wear. Signs of Wear and Troubleshooting Signs your tire pressure monitoring system may be worn or needs to be replaced include: If the Tire Pressure Monitoring light appears as a blinking yellow lamp for more than one minute, and then stays solid, diagnostic service is needed. If the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is not functioning properly it cannot detect or signal a low tire condition.
Some vehicles may also display ‘Service Tire Monitor System’ on the Driver Information Center. If the tire pressure monitoring light comes on and stays on solid with a ‘check tire pressure’, ‘low tire pressure’, or ‘add air to tire message (for vehicles with Driver Information Center), then check and adjust all tire air pressures to the recommended levels, then drive the vehicle to turn the light off. Q: If I ignore the blinking Tire Pressure Monitoring light in my vehicle will there be consequences? A: Yes, if the Tire Pressure Monitoring light appears as a blinking yellow lamp for more than one minute, and then stays solid, diagnostic service is needed. If the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is not functioning properly it cannot detect or signal a low tire condition. Q: Can driving on an under-inflated tire cause damage to my vehicle? A: Yes, tire safety studies have shown that under-inflated tires can degrade vehicle handling, decrease fuel economy, and increase tire wear.