There a number of arguments as to why this is the case and the article touches on these:
One could make an argument that most drivers don’t use their spare (or don’t know how) and would call for roadside service anyway.
Another argument is that the extra weight of the spare has to be hauled around for months or years before it gets used, if ever, and fuel is used for that extra weight costing the owner and increasing carbon emissions.
More pragmatically the most likely answer is the auto makers found out they could simply stop giving out spare tires and it doesn’t cost them any customers, and increases the auto maker’s profits. Some will even sell you a spare tire at an extra fee meaning even more revenue.
My guess is of all these reasons, the third answer, cash grab is the real answer. The author gives us one sentence, but agrees with me.
Another argument is that the extra weight of the spare has to be hauled around for months or years before it gets used, if ever, and fuel is used for that extra weight costing the owner and increasing carbon emissions.
For me this makes sense, driving for 20 years and not used a spare tire once, hyundai also offers 24x7 road assist
They didn’t say they never had a flat. They said they never used the spare. For many, calling roadside assistance is the solution to a flat tire. @ikt@aussie.zone it sounds like that has been a workable solution.
This is probably regional/country term. In the USA it means calling for a technician to drive a vehicle to your location and service the flat tire (or provide a replacement) at the roadside when you find you have a flat. What would the term be for that in your region?
My commute has always been at least 20 miles, and I’ve had 1 flat tire in 10 years. That one was a nail I ran over in a construction site, which tbh is to be expected.
I dont think its that unreasonable. A flat tire happens so rarely, and for most people, they can just call a tow truck. For most, I dont think its worth carting a tire and wheel around for potentially zero use over the life of the car.
Some people definitely need spares, but realistically, most dont.
My minivan has a donut spare that is stored under the car (inside a cover). Super easy to get to, and never in the way. The tire and winch mechanism together adds maybe 30lbs of extra weight.
I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I couldn’t imagine the embarrassment of having to call a fucking tow truck because of a flat tire.
most new cars dont, its wild
Enshittification isn’t exclusive to software it seems
Do they come with runflats? I dunno what’s common anymore.
My 2013 Volvo doesn’t have a spare, but it makes use of runflats instead, and that was considered a luxury back then.
Lots of new cars just give you a bottle of fix-a-flat and a “fuck you”
There a number of arguments as to why this is the case and the article touches on these:
My guess is of all these reasons, the third answer, cash grab is the real answer. The author gives us one sentence, but agrees with me.
For me this makes sense, driving for 20 years and not used a spare tire once, hyundai also offers 24x7 road assist
touch wood!
I don’t believe you’ve never had a flat in 20 years. I get a flat every three or four years.
They didn’t say they never had a flat. They said they never used the spare. For many, calling roadside assistance is the solution to a flat tire. @ikt@aussie.zone it sounds like that has been a workable solution.
wtf is roadside assistance?
This is probably regional/country term. In the USA it means calling for a technician to drive a vehicle to your location and service the flat tire (or provide a replacement) at the roadside when you find you have a flat. What would the term be for that in your region?
Ever heard of AAA?
never had a flat :)
tbf i only drive around 10km a day but the last time was when i was a kid back in 1995
maybe have just been lucky
Maybe that’s it. I’ve got a 40km commute each day.
My commute has always been at least 20 miles, and I’ve had 1 flat tire in 10 years. That one was a nail I ran over in a construction site, which tbh is to be expected.
Ours didn’t. It had some bullshit to spray into the tyre to do a repair. That failed, and made it unrepairable to boot.
So now we have a spare. Have a spare. It can a slimline one, it just needs to get you to a garage.
I dont think its that unreasonable. A flat tire happens so rarely, and for most people, they can just call a tow truck. For most, I dont think its worth carting a tire and wheel around for potentially zero use over the life of the car.
Some people definitely need spares, but realistically, most dont.
My minivan has a donut spare that is stored under the car (inside a cover). Super easy to get to, and never in the way. The tire and winch mechanism together adds maybe 30lbs of extra weight.
I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I couldn’t imagine the embarrassment of having to call a fucking tow truck because of a flat tire.