Top Alternatives to Having a Spare Tire

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Zores

In today’s automotive manufacturing industry, spare tires are no longer a standard. Many newer model vehicles do not come with a spare tire, which can sometimes come as a surprise to new car owners. If you are a driver of a vehicle without a spare, it would be wise to consider having a flat tire plan. In the case of a roadside emergency. But this plan does not necessarily have to include an actual spare tire. There are many other options available that can deliver an equivalent level of security.

Continue reading to learn the top alternatives to having a spare tire, plus where you can get twenty-four hour roadside emergency assistance in Central Indiana.

Flat Tire Roadside Assistance Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Why the Missing Spare Tire?

Why are newer model vehicles not being designed to come with a full spare tire? Auto manufacturers are looking to be space-efficient and taking out a full spare tire from a car trunk can greatly increase the interior square footage of the vehicle, plus make room for more innovative undercarriage and mechanical design.

Furthermore, automotive manufacturing companies are forgoing the full spare because it’s cost-effective. By eliminating the addition of a full spare tire, auto manufacturers can produce the car at a cheaper rate, and in turn sell the car at a more economical price to the public. Removing the spare tire also improves fuel efficiency because it reduces the overall weight of the vehicle.

Filling the Spare Tire Void

If you want to have a spare tire in your vehicle or a flat tire emergency plan in place, you have plenty of options to choose from. Not only can you purchase a full spare tire and keep it in your trunk, but you can choose from some other alternatives as well. The top choices that work as an effective substitute to a full spare tire include space-saver spares, run flat tires, tire sealant inflation kits, self-sealing tires, and roadside emergency carriers.

Space-Saver Spares

Space-saver spare tires are colloquially known as donuts because they are a miniature version of the full spare and therefore, resemble the morning breakfast pastry we know and love so well. Donuts spare tires are a perfect solution for someone who wants to have a spare on hand but lacks in space. You can purchase these at any local automotive shop or tire shop. These donuts are only intended as a short-term solution for a flat tire and should not be driven on for more than 50 miles.

Run Flat Tires

When putting a spare tire inside of your vehicle is not an option at all, regardless of its size, you might want to consider run flat tires. Run flat tires are a specialized tire safety system designed with reinforced side walls or internal support rings that will sustain a vehicle’s driving ability for short period of time in the case that the tires are damaged. When a tire is damaged or loses air pressure, you cannot exceed 50 miles an hour nor drive more than 50 miles on run flats.

Self-Sealing Tires

Another tire safety system that has been designed to mitigate the hassle of a sudden flat tire is self-sealing tires. Self-sealing tires do just that; they self-seal. They contain a specialized coating on the inside of the tire wall that will immediately gravitate toward a puncture or foreign object and cover it up.

Tire Inflation Kits

It is always encouraged to have a roadside emergency kit inside of your car. One such item to add to your roadside emergency vehicle kit is a tire inflation and sealant kit. These are wonderful alternatives to having a spare tire or costly specialized tires like the ones mentioned above. These tire inflation in ceiling kits can be purchased at any department store with an automotive section or at any automotive shop or online retailer. They are simply a kit equipped with all the materials needed to patch up a hole in a tire and get you back on the road for a short period of time.

Are you stuck on the road right now with a flat tire and no idea what to do? Just contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour roadside assistance and towing services in Indianapolis and its surrounding locations. We can help with flat tires, locked keys in the car, overheating engines, fuel tank fill-ups, and much more!

Why Your New Car Does Not Have a Spare Tire

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Zores

It is a frustrating, yet all-too-familiar, roadside scenario that happens to new car owners more often these days than it did in the past. A driver gets a flat, pulls over to change it, but when they pop open the trunk, there is no spare tire in sight. ‘Perhaps it’s under the car?’, they ask themselves, but upon inspection, no such luck. So, they turn to the car’s owners’ manual for information on the location of their BMW or GM vehicle, only to discover in the end that their new car does not come with a factory spare tire.

If this has just happened to you, there is still a possibility that your car comes with a factory alternative to a spare tire. However, it is also possible that it comes with nothing, in which case you will need some emergency roadside assistance flat tire service.

Continue reading to learn why more and more auto manufacturers are doing away with spare tires, what they are incorporating into their designs instead. This can give you a better understanding of why your new ride doesn’t have a donut in the trunk.

Flat Tire Roadside Assistance Indianapolis IN 317-247-8484

No More Spare Tires

Many automakers are making changes to the spare tire designs of their vehicles. In many cases, they are eliminating the spare tire altogether, replacing it with alternatives to an extra tire or donut. Why are they doing this? Space. Spare tires take up a lot of space in a vehicle, not just in the trunk, but in the overall design of the car. Automotive manufacturers have found that they can design a more space efficient vehicle by removing the spare tire and tire casing.

Weight Reduction Benefits

Losing the spare tire does more for a car other than giving it more storage or design space; it also males the car weigh less, which increases fuel efficiency and gas mileage, while also reducing energy consumption. The lighter the car, the less power it takes to operate it, namely gas and electricity. By taking the spare tire out of modern vehicle design, automakers have enhanced fuel efficiency and lightened the workload of the engine.

Common Spare Tire Alternatives

Many automakers have simply replaced the spare tire with a more space-efficient and weight-friendly alternative. For instance, BMW no longer puts spares in their designs because all of their modern models are equipped with run flat tires. Run-flats are designed with reinforced sidewalls that allow drivers to drive a reasonable distance further without placing additional pressure on the damaged tire or wheel. In addition to run-flat tires, some automakers, like GM, have opted for tire repair kits in their vehicles. Not only do these take up less space than an actual spare tire, but they can be used by people of all ages and strengths.

Flat Tire Solutions

If you are stuck on the side of the road with a damaged or flat tire, and your car does not have a spare or viable spare tire alternative, you can contact a local Indianapolis towing company for emergency roadside assistance. They change tires in a matter of minutes and can have you back on the road in no time at all.

Are you currently stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire in Central Indiana? Contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We specialize in Indianapolis flat tire repair, and serve all of Indy, including Avon, Lebanon, and Greenwood, Indiana.

Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis

Why Do Some Vehicles Have Spare Tires and Others Don’t?

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Zores

If you are on the hunt for a new vehicle, and a spare tire is something important to you, be sure to pay attention to everything your potential new car comes with. That is because many car manufacturers are not putting spare tires in newer model vehicles anymore. If you find this interesting, wait until you learn why some producers have chosen this practice.

Continue reading to learn the top 4 reasons why some new cars do not come with a spare tire option.

24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance in Indiana 317-247-8484

1. Improved Fuel Efficiency

With the trending green movement becoming so popular that it is almost ingrained in most consumers shopping tendencies, it is no surprise that many car manufacturers are attempting to improve their vehicles fuel efficiency. One effort to accomplish this has been to eliminate the extra weight of a spare tire. This may seem like a trivial amount, but the absence of a spare tire can reduce a vehicle’s overall weight by 30 to 50 pounds. That is because you must also consider the additional weight of the jack and wrench. The benefits from this type of elimination also helps car manufacturers meet the strict EPA guidelines.

2. Increased Storage Space

Although it may not seem like a simple donut or spare can take up a lot of room, in smaller vehicles, its absence can make a huge difference. Vehicles like sports cars, compact cars, eco-conscious cars, electric cars, and even smaller-sized sedans, can all benefit from the lack of a spare. The added space allows for a more comfortable ride.

3. Batteries and Emissions Equipment

In contrast to adding more storage, eliminating a spare tire is a must for many car manufacturers because there is too much space occupied by other equipment. This includes hybrids, electric cars, and diesels. The batteries and emissions equipment of these vehicles takes up the space that would typically house a spare.

4. Decreased Manufacturing Costs

The elimination of a spare tire naturally saves car manufacturers money, hundreds of thousands, in fact. However, many car manufacturers use that savings to improve other performance, aesthetic, and mechanical features. So sometimes, it is a “give and take” situation.

If Your Car Does Not Come With a Spare

If you are the driver of a vehicle that lacks a spare, whether because it was manufactured that way to you just don’t have one, there are still options for you on the road. You can always purchase a properly-sized spare or donut for your vehicle, along with the proper tools (i.e. jack, torque wrench, road triangles, etc.).

Helpful Flat Tire Advice

If you ever find yourself with a flat on the side of the road without one, you can contact a 24 hour emergency roadside assistance service. Some insurance policies actually cover roadside assistance needs, or have their own roadside assistance service. Simply dial the number and wait for help to arrive. Most emergency roadside assistance services operate on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. That is why they are called “emergency” roadside assistance services.

Who to Trust for 24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance in Indiana

If your vehicle breaks down at any point during your trip, call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for Indianapolis roadside assistance and towing recovery services you can trust. Our friendly Indiana tow truck operators are certified roadside emergency assistants, and are always waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, safe and sound. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so you can always count on us. Request a free estimate, today.

CLICK FOR A FREE QUOTE OR TO REQUEST SERVICE NOW!

Zore’s Towing Blog of Indiana

Tag Archives: flat tire help