No spare tire???

[Dieselnut59]

My girlfriend had a tire low on air this morning in her '06 Jeep Commander. She checked the pressure and found a nail in the sidewall and two more in the tread so she went to get the tire replaced. The tire store did not have the same tire in stock so they were going to put on the spare and replace the tire tomorrow. There is no spare on this vehicle! WTF??? I can't imagine if my girlfriend was stranded somewhere because the manufacturer tried to cut costs by not offering a spare tire!! Not even a cheesie little donut spare!!! NOTHING!!! Not even a provision for a spare! What a freaking crock! My '05 Liberty has the spare mounted on the tailgate, which is handy and out of the way.

My mother's 2001 BMW needed service and they loaned her a 2008 328, which is a NICE car. Guess what... NO FREAKING SPARE TIRE!!! Her 2001 has a full size spare and we do 5 tire rotation since it is a full size spare on a matching wheel.

Even freakin economy cars like Honda and Kia have a donut spare! What is this crap where nice SUVs and luxury cars are now not including spare tires??? Are they optional? Neither of my ladies (girlfriend or mama) will buy another vehicle without checking to see if it includes a spare tire! I'll be damned if I will allow it either! That is cheesie cost-cutting BS!!!

 

[JLEONARD]

Diesel nut I hear you, it's a crock for sure... I agree.

But I'd be willing to bet the vast majority of those buyers would NEVER do more than call AAA regardless if they had a spare or not.

That's what the car companies are going with.

 

[BimmerAgent]

Run Flats

I don't like it, but a lot of companies are going to run flat tires so they can eliminate the spare tire. Supposedly, should you get a flat, you can drive for 50 miles or so on the flat without damaging the wheel. Some manufacturers include a kit with tire goo and inflator for extreme circumstances. Just gimme a spare and I'll be on my way. Bruce

 

[AMink]

I can't believe the number of cars and trucks I see along the road with a flat, the blinkers on, and no one in sight. Doesn't anyone know how to change a flat anymore? Assuming there is one!:-laf I see this a lot on slammed ricers with fancy rims and wide tires.

 

[donnier]

I can't believe the number of cars and trucks I see along the road with a flat, the blinkers on, and no one in sight. Doesn't anyone know how to change a flat anymore? Assuming there is one!:-laf I see this a lot on slammed ricers with fancy rims and wide tires.

I think its a case of being lazy and/or not knowing how to do it.

IMO Iv always felt that the education system now days should include one semester of auto shop to teach the kids how to maintain their vehicles.

 

[RobertP]

it was my understanding that all of the commanders had full size spares. you may want to call your dealer and see what the deal was.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I think its a case of being lazy and/or not knowing how to do it.

IMO Iv always felt that the education system now days should include one semester of auto shop to teach the kids how to maintain their vehicles.

I totally agree! My girlfriend is a teacher in a government school. She is a genuine lady but she knows how to change a tire (when there IS one!), check tire pressure and all fluids. Yes, she is a rare find! She is also Conservative... A VERY rare find in the field of government school teachers!



I am going to check tonight to see if there is even a place for a spare on her Commander. She said there are tools (jack and lug wrench) but no tire? That makes no sense!

 

[Dieselnut59]

it was my understanding that all of the commanders had full size spares. you may want to call your dealer and see what the deal was.

Going to see if there is a provision for a spare on her vehicle, then will call the dealer if so to see what's up! She bought this thing new. Is it common for a dealer to "forget" to include a spare tire?

 

[RobertP]

Going to see if there is a provision for a spare on her vehicle, then will call the dealer if so to see what's up! She bought this thing new. Is it common for a dealer to "forget" to include a spare tire?

Thats what it sounds like. they may have taken it to use on another vehicle. i just confirmed with the dealer i work for that commanders come with a full size spare. they mount right under the rear of the truck.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Thats what it sounds like. they may have taken it to use on another vehicle. i just confirmed with the dealer i work for that commanders come with a full size spare. they mount right under the rear of the truck.

Yep, the hanger is there, as are the tools (jack, handle, lug wrench)

She is going to ask the dealer and hopefully they will be honest. If not, I am going to find her a tire though.

I know for a FACT that the new 328 BMW does not even have a provision for a spare tire. No tools either! THAT is crock!!

 

[ACoyle]

Anyone ever try to change their inner dual on a 100 degree august day in the dirt, with the tools that come with the truck?



AC

 

[MFalkinham]

Dieselnut, is it possible that someone stole the spare tire, either while at the dealership or since you purchased it? Spare tire theft is becoming a pretty regular thing (unfortunately). Steal 4 spare tires off new vehicles and you've got a brand new set for yours.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Dieselnut, is it possible that someone stole the spare tire, either while at the dealership or since you purchased it? Spare tire theft is becoming a pretty regular thing (unfortunately). Steal 4 spare tires off new vehicles and you've got a brand new set for yours.

That is what I was thinking too, except that, unlike our trucks, you have to access the "lowering mechanism" from inside the cargo area of the vehicle.

 

[Alphacowboy]

my guess is that someone at the dealer needed it for something else, and pulled it while it was on the lot (that is if this unit wasnt special ordered) and it was never put back on. The spare tire is not an option, its standard, so I think your dealer has some explaining to do.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Hers was a demo or "program" vehicle, so there is no telling what may have happened. I am going to try to find a matching one at a salvage yard.

 

[Alphacowboy]

Hers was a demo or "program" vehicle, so there is no telling what may have happened. I am going to try to find a matching one at a salvage yard.

Check Craigslist or ebay. You could probably find a full set of 5 take offs for cheap, and that would give you a complete extra set of tires/rims including a spare.

 

[DJW]

I was once told it was illegal to be on a freeway without a serviceable spare wheel and tire. Seems mandatory to carry chains at times over the Sierras whether needed or not. Ignorance of the Law no excuse. Best to read every States' Highway Laws.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

The new Ram C&C only have a spare if you order it, AND there is no place to store it since that 50+ gallon fuel tank is back where it would normally go anyway.



To be honest, in 200+K on my current Ram, I have needed a spare exactly once, in the desert A LONG ways from AAA, LOL. I ripped the sidewall out on a rock and lost all air in about one revolution



I probably won't order the spare when I buy my next C&C, maybe get on board air instead