Featured Why don’t EVs come with spare tires?

When Fiat came back to the US, a spare was a $300 option. At today's costs, a spare equipped Prius would be pushed from the $28k to $29k range.

Fine for topping off a tire, but I wouldn't want to use one on a tire I just pulled off to plug a leak.

Once gooped a tire on the Sable, Years later, as in forgot it was gooped, the dry material came loose and put the wheel out of balance.

 

I've done just that, with one of our 195/65R15 snow tires, after plug-repairing it (old-school, sticky string style). It was a bit of workout, compared to just topping up, not that bad. Took 10~15 minutes.

 

I was thinking when on the side of the road, and my current tires are higher volume than a gen3 Prius.

 

The aforementioned flat I had was noticed when we'd parked in a mall. It was just a degree or two above freezing, and windy. At least dry. First thing I did was go into a store and get some insulated work gloves, lol. Then took off the flat, put on the spare, and we headed for home. I took the flat wheel indoors, repaired it there. That's a luxury you don't have if you've only got a plug repair kit.

I have done a flat repair on our son's CX5, which has somewhat bigger tires, not as big as Pilot tires (which I've also rotated, but can't recall if I've had to plug those).

Agreed, it's a chore, but the flipside, it's very dependable, no messing with power cords, and you basically feel more in-control, compared to standing there watching an anemic compressor chug away.

 

If you are bicycle touring with minimal weight no power source, then yeah a manual floor-standing bicycle pump may be a choice. If you are a minimalist, and don't want to own a car just a bicycle as your only mode of transportation. Then I can see the beauty of it.

But why bother? You own a car and driving it as a mode of transportation already. A small capable 12v compressor is smaller than well built floor-standing bicycle pump. Then there are lithium battery operated one about a size of a flash light. They don't cost much more or even cheaper than foot pump. The cheap ones may not be as "bullet proof" as your manual floor pump in the durability arena. But if it is for emergency. You may not need it many times. Chances are if I have to use it, it would be on the side of road, maybe busy traffic, dark and during bad weather? I want the job done as quickly and easily as possible. So, I always carried a small 12v compressor and a plug kit in trunk in every car I have owned. Even now, with a car that came with a compact spare under deck. I never had a chance to use it yet... But when I need it, it's there to serve me.

 

I'm 66 YO and still throwing wheels and brakes on our flying 6-wheelers most nights at work. Perhaps this is why my perspective on having and using spares is different than most.

 

When I got a flat in my Tesla, I went into the phone app and clicked on I have a flat. Within 3 or 4 minutes someone called me.
They sent a tow truck with the right sized wheel/tire to fix it within 30 minutes, even though it was after hours (past 6pm).
The tire was a loaner that I had to return within 3 days after I got my flat fixed or replaced.
The truck was a AAA truck.

Mike

 

Wonder why the Prius sold in Mexico come equipped with a spare tire? Does the weight of a spare tire really affect the mpg?

 

Weights:

• 3,800 lbs - Tesla Model 3
• 46 lbs - 1.2% = 46 / 3,800 lbs
  • 23 lbs - one wheel
  • 23 lbs - one tire

The acceleration loss of an extra wheel and tire is regenerated when stopping. In an ordinary car, the brake pads heat up as there is no battery to recharge.

If the extra weight of a spare tire is a problem, take all of the tires off and save 4x.

Bob Wilson

 

Driving on unpaved roads could be more common. Also a lack of cell phone coverage, or stronger desire to not wait for help can be a factor.

As for mpg, there is what an person will get and then there is the rating. In 2013, the only Sonic without a spare was the base trim, 2 door sedan. Removing the spare was taking weight off the already lightest configuration. It was equipped to get the best possible result on the tests to give a better number for advertising. It also meant a lower MSRP for ads, which is what I believe is a big part of spares going away.

 

GM used to offer a spare tire kit for some cars. It had the necessities needed and went for $500-600.

 

The real reason "most" folks don't care about spares not being supplied is because they can't and/or won't change it out themselves. It's "easier" and cleaner to just sit there poking on glass waiting for someone else to fix the problem for them.

 

My sense: most don't even realize. Then when they do, they need to "rationalize" their "choice". Fox an' grapes.

Aiding and abetting this is car companies doing their level best to soft-pedal the missing bits. Relevant:
CDN 2020 Prius Spare Tire? | PriusChat

Post #6 in particular boggles.

 

I think most would choose to skip the spare if doing so would reduce the price by $500.

 

That’s likely $150 for the spare and tools, $350 for different styrofoam and hatch floor panel.

 

$500 to $600 for the parts to install a gen5 with a factory spare. Including a discount.
OEM spare tire install | PriusChat
Fiat was charging $300 for the spare as an option 15 years ago.

Cheaper to produce it that way at the factory, but the manufacturer is going to add profit onto every feature added. More importantly, they have price targets, and have to consider marketing. A spare for the US Prius could push the $28k starting price to $29k.

Then people are dumb. They want better safety and fuel efficiency, but don't want to pay for it. The original Pinto design had a fuel tank bladder and airbags when it went before customer focus groups.