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
I drive a pickup truck and I go to pickup truck kind of places with it like lumber yards, industrial suppliers, landfills and other high FOD locations. I get more flat tires because I drive where the nails are.
My sedan goes to the grocery store and a few restaurants and has never had a flat.
So the guy you’re responding to most likely doesn’t drive through lumber and construction sites all day. Most people don’t. That’s why most people don’t have 20 flats a week from driving around in nails.
You ever think maybe you’re an exception because of your habits that most people don’t have?
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.
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. @[email protected] 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?
Manufacturer provided - As poster irk pointed out, they have a Hyundai and as part of the purchase it includes this service. I believe Tesla provides it for free during the warranty period. Ford gives it for free for 12 months from purchase. etc
Auto club/subscription - This would be like AAA (or CAA in Canada). You pay an annual fee and get the service
Car insurance provided - Lots of auto insurance companies include this in their policies or offer it for a substantial discount. Some auto companies operate their own fleet of roadside assistance vehicles (I think I’ve see Progressive trucks do this at one point). Other auto insurance companies will contract with a fleet management company. They’ll give you a number to call and a technician will be dispatched to your location and the insurance company takes care of the bill. This is what I had at one point and I think it costs me something like $20/year.
Maybe this is just another poverty thing because I only drive beaters and have the absolute cheapest insurance.
Until a few years ago, I always changed and maintained my own tires. A $10 tire plug kit saved me hundreds of dollars over replacing tires whenever I had a flat.
Okay, so none of those options are available to me. The only option my insurance offers is that they’ll come by and change your tire, but only if you already have a spare available.
I’m out in a farming/mining area, and the debris on the roads always chews up the tires badly enough that a plug kit won’t work. I just get the tires resurfaced with new treads when they get worn out badly enough.
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.
What the hell are you doing that results in a flat every few years? This is NOT normal.
I drive a pickup truck and I go to pickup truck kind of places with it like lumber yards, industrial suppliers, landfills and other high FOD locations. I get more flat tires because I drive where the nails are.
My sedan goes to the grocery store and a few restaurants and has never had a flat.
So the guy you’re responding to most likely doesn’t drive through lumber and construction sites all day. Most people don’t. That’s why most people don’t have 20 flats a week from driving around in nails.
You ever think maybe you’re an exception because of your habits that most people don’t have?
Hence why I said “my sedan that [pretty much stays on normal roads] has never had a flat.”
Then why are you surprised the person you’re responding to hasn’t had a flat?
I’m…not?
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.
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. @[email protected] 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?
I’m in the US, and it’s not something I’ve heard of. Is it available for everybody, or do you have to pay extra for it?
Maybe this is just another poverty thing because I only drive beaters and have the absolute cheapest insurance.
I’d say it comes in three different forms:
Until a few years ago, I always changed and maintained my own tires. A $10 tire plug kit saved me hundreds of dollars over replacing tires whenever I had a flat.
Okay, so none of those options are available to me. The only option my insurance offers is that they’ll come by and change your tire, but only if you already have a spare available.
I’m out in a farming/mining area, and the debris on the roads always chews up the tires badly enough that a plug kit won’t work. I just get the tires resurfaced with new treads when they get worn out badly enough.
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.