No one likes changing a flat tire. In fact, just storing the spare can be a problem: if it's inside the vehicle, it can take up valuable cargo space, and if it's kept outside, it may prevent you from using bike racks or other accessories. But AAA says that thanks to new fuel economy regulations, we may not have to worry about either of those things much longer, since spare tires could soon disappear altogether.
We've spilled a lot of ink discussing the new fuel economy rules handed down by the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Those regulations will require average fuel economy to hit 34.1 mpgs by 2016 and 54.5 mpgs by 2025.
Automakers have a number of tools at their disposal to help them reach those goals -- for example, hybrid and electric powertrains. But reducing the weight of vehicles is also important, because as every carbon fiber fan will tell you, reducing weight is an easy way to boost fuel efficiency.
In recent years, much of that weight has been coming out of the trunk. It's increasingly rare to find full-size spares in many vehicles, and in their place are lighter "donuts", which aren't meant to travel long distances or at high speeds. AAA says that the new fuel economy rules could make even these pint-size spares go the way of the dodo, leaving vehicle owners with run-flat tires (which can go limited distances when punctured) or fix-a-flat kits (which work fine on small holes, but do little or nothing for bigger problems, much less blowouts). More here:
More "nice work" by the geniuses in government. Just run the numbers and congratulate yourselves government boys ... hey, it doesn't matter if the gains aren't real ... it just matters if we can CLAIM they're real ... and thus save our cushy jobs. That's right ... it's someone's "job" to do this.
Hey, I just thought of something, you know what else is heavy? All that glass. Maybe next we can sell cars with no windshields -- think of how much more fuel mileage we could get?
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How come nobody is mentioning the conflict of interest here? Isn't AAA the organization that makes their revenue by assisting drivers at the roadside? Wouldn't it benefit their bottom line if nobody had spare tires? Admittedly, fewer and fewer people change their own tires but it is still an option. Imagine what it would be like if you didn't have a spare tire to change at all and were forced to call someone for assistance.
Of course, I'm sure the tow truck you meet will have a spare with them and will be happy to install it and let you be on your way. There's no reason to expect them to actually have to tow you to a service station to get the tire replaced. Don't worry though. It'll all be free. FREE!!!!
Oh and by the way, "We've spilled a lot of ink" sits about as well with me as a contractor telling you he's "burned through the money" you've already paid him.
I will perhaps never understand how it is that people can so glibly waste the resources of others.
The "spare tire" in my car consists of an air compressor and a can of "Fix-A-Flat." I should join AAA.
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