Most new cars no longer include a full spare tire

Fewer than half of new vehicles sold in the United States come with a traditional full-size spare tire in the trunk. Manufacturers have shifted toward lighter alternatives — compact spares, tire repair kits, or nothing at all — to improve fuel economy and reduce weight. What you get depends on the make, model, and trim level you buy, and it varies significantly even within the same manufacturer's lineup.

This change happened gradually over the past 15 years. As federal fuel economy standards tightened, automakers looked for weight savings everywhere. A full spare tire, jack, and lug wrench can add 50 pounds or more to a vehicle. Removing them improved miles per gallon ratings, which directly affected whether a manufacturer met regulatory targets. The shift accelerated after 2010 and has become the industry norm for most brands.

The practical result is that you cannot assume your new car has a spare. You need to check the window sticker or owner's manual before you drive off the lot, because what comes standard varies by model year and can change year to year.

Key Takeaways

  • Full-size spare tires are now standard on fewer than half of new vehicles; compact spares and tire repair kits are more common.
  • Luxury brands and trucks are more likely to include a full spare, while economy sedans and crossovers often come with only a repair kit or nothing.
  • You should verify what your specific vehicle includes by checking the Monroney label (window sticker) or the owner's manual before purchase.
  • If your new car lacks a spare, you can purchase one separately, though it may not fit in the original spare tire well.

What different manufacturers include as standard

Toyota includes a full-size spare on most trucks and some SUVs, but many Camry and Corolla models come with only a tire repair kit. Honda follows a similar pattern: CR-V and Pilot models often have a compact spare, while Civic and Accord sedans typically include a repair kit. Ford and Chevrolet trucks usually come with a full spare, but their compact crossovers may not.

Luxury brands show more variation. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi frequently omit the spare entirely on sedans and smaller models, relying instead on roadside information programs and tire repair kits. Porsche and Ferrari rarely include spares. Volvo and Subaru are more likely to include a compact spare across their lineup. Pickup trucks — Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500 — almost always come with a full-size spare because truck buyers expect one and because the vehicles have room to store it.

The trim level matters too. A base-model sedan might come with a repair kit, while the same model in a higher trim might have a compact spare. This is not always consistent across model years, so the 2023 version of a car may differ from the 2024 version.

Compact spares versus full-size spares versus repair kits

A compact spare is smaller and lighter than a full-size tire — typically 16 to 17 inches in diameter versus 17 to 18 inches for a full-size. It fits in a smaller well under the trunk floor and saves weight. The trade-off is that you cannot drive at highway speeds for long distances; most manufacturers recommend driving no faster than 50 mph and no more than 70 miles on a compact spare. You should replace it with a full-size tire as soon as possible.

A full-size spare is identical to the tires on your car. You can drive at normal speeds and distances. It takes up more space and weighs more, which is why manufacturers have moved away from including it. If your car comes with one, it is usually mounted under the trunk floor on a carrier.

A tire repair kit (sometimes called a tire sealant kit) contains a can of pressurized sealant and a small air compressor. You inject the sealant into the punctured tire through the valve stem, drive to a tire shop, and have the tire repaired or replaced. These kits work for small punctures in the tread but not for sidewall damage, large holes, or multiple punctures. They are cheap to manufacture and add almost no weight, which is why manufacturers prefer them.

How to find out what your new car includes

The easiest place to check is the Monroney label, the window sticker required on every new car sold in the United States. It lists standard equipment and options. Look for "spare tire," "compact spare," "tire repair kit," or similar language under the equipment section. If nothing is listed, the car does not come with a spare.

If you have already bought the car, open the owner's manual and search for "spare tire" or "emergency equipment." The manual will describe what should be in your vehicle and where to find it. You can also open the trunk and look under the floor mat or trunk liner — if there is a well with a carrier, a spare is there. If the trunk floor is solid, there is no spare.

Before you sign the purchase agreement, ask the dealer directly: "Does this model come with a spare tire?" Get the answer in writing on the contract. This prevents confusion later and protects you if the dealer removes the spare before delivery.

What to do if your new car has no spare

You have three options: buy a spare separately, rely on roadside information, or use a tire repair kit if one came with the car.

If you want to purchase a full-size or compact spare, contact a tire shop or your car's dealership. A compact spare costs between $100 and $200; a full-size spare costs $150 to $300 depending on the tire brand and size. You will also need a jack and lug wrench if they did not come with your car — these add another $50 to $100. The challenge is storage: your car may not have a spare tire well, so you will need to store the spare in the trunk, which takes up cargo space.

If your car came with a tire repair kit, keep it in the car and learn how to use it before you need it. Read the instructions in the owner's manual. The kit works for most small punctures, but you should drive to a tire shop when ready after using it — the sealant is temporary and the tire will need professional repair or replacement.

Many new cars come with a subscription to roadside information (often through the manufacturer or a partner like AAA). This service will send a tow truck if you have a flat tire you cannot repair yourself. Check your warranty paperwork or owner's manual to see if this is included with your purchase.

Why manufacturers stopped including spares

The primary reason is fuel economy regulation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that manufacturers must meet. Every pound of weight reduces fuel economy slightly. Removing a 50-pound spare tire, jack, and lug wrench improves a vehicle's overall fuel economy rating, which helps the manufacturer meet federal targets and avoid penalties.

A secondary reason is cost. Spares, jacks, and lug wrenches add to the manufacturing cost of every vehicle, even though only a fraction of owners will use them. Removing them reduces the base price of the car, which manufacturers can pass along to buyers or keep as profit.

Manufacturers also argue that modern tires are more durable and puncture-resistant than older tires, so flats are less common. They point to tire repair kits and roadside information as sufficient alternatives. Consumer advocates counter that this shifts the burden and cost to the driver, who may not have a repair kit, may not know how to use it, or may be stranded in an area with poor cell service where roadside information takes hours to arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fit a spare tire from another car into my new car's trunk?

Possibly, but not reliably. If your car has a spare tire well under the trunk floor, a tire from a different vehicle may not fit the carrier or may be too large for the well. A compact spare from a smaller car might fit, but a full-size spare from a truck probably will not. Your best option is to buy a spare designed for your specific make and model.

Is a tire repair kit as good as a spare tire?

No. A repair kit works for small punctures in the tread but not for sidewall damage, large holes, or multiple punctures. It is also temporary — you must drive to a tire shop when ready after using it. A spare tire lets you continue driving at normal speeds and gives you time to find a shop. If you drive frequently in remote areas, a spare is more reliable.

What should I do if I get a flat tire and my car has no spare?

First, try the tire repair kit if your car came with one. If that does not work or you do not have a kit, call roadside information (AAA, your insurance company, or the manufacturer's program). They will tow you to a tire shop. If you are in an area without cell service, you may need to walk to find help or wait for another vehicle to pass.

Do all trim levels of the same car come with the same spare?

No. Higher trim levels sometimes include a compact spare or full spare as an upgrade, while base models come with only a repair kit. Check the window sticker for your specific trim level, not just the model name.

Is it worth buying a spare tire for my new car?

That depends on how often you drive in remote areas, how comfortable you are using a tire repair kit, and whether you have reliable roadside information. If you drive mostly on highways near cities, a repair kit and roadside information may be enough. If you drive rural roads or take long road trips, a spare tire provides more security.