(Credit: KDKA)
Reporting David Highfield
BRENTWOOD (KDKA) — There’s a growing trend of cars being sold without spare tires.
It really surprised Al Schademan of Brentwood, when he found no spare in his trunk.
It’s estimated 14 percent of new cars are without spares.
Car makers say it’s an effort to make cars lighter and increase fuel efficiency.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Regal GS, some versions of the Kia Optima and almost all BMW’s have no spares.
BMW’s are instead equipped with something called run flat tires, which can be driven with a puncture for about 50 miles.
Other cars with no spares have kits with an air pump and liquid sealant.
One car maker says the kits can fix 85 percent of punctures and that they’re easy to use, even for someone who’s afraid to change a tire.
Car makers also say the kits weigh less than a spare tire and jack, so that can improve fuel efficiency.
Schademan, however, would still rather have a spare and says he wouldn’t have bought the car if he had known.
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