The main reason BMW ceased utilizing spare tires was to save weight and improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. The business listed further justifications for removing spare tires, including the practicality of run-flat tires, safety issues, and extra space.
Realistically, the majority of automakers got rid of spare tires to save money and, as a side effect, lower emissions. However, BMW’s PR team did highlight a number of benefits for customers.
The German automaker asserted that by eliminating spare tires, not only would the fuel efficiency of its vehicles improve, but also significant resources would be conserved by lowering the need to create as many tires annually.
BMW further asserted that run-flat tires, which can be temporarily driven on even when punctured, were a better option because changing a tire on the side of the road was risky.
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Fuel efficiency and Run-Flats
There’s a good chance your new BMW doesn’t have a spare tire if you bought it within the last few years. That’s because run-flat tires, which have a firm sidewall or internal reinforcement, are frequently used on BMW vehicles. Run-flat tires are used by other automakers as well, although BMW has earned a reputation for being a pioneer. Run-flat tires are intended to function after being punctured for up to 50 miles (80.4 kilometers) at a speed below 50 mph (80.47 kph), or until the driver can reach a safe spot. Once damaged, they must be replaced, which costs more and is more difficult to do than with conventional tires.
It’s difficult to deny that offering run-flat tires helps automakers cut costs, but what if they install conventional tires on those vehicles while refusing to offer a spare? That might be nothing more than an attempt by the automaker to cut costs. Why? A spare tire costs around $100 to purchase at a tire shop or a car dealership, and a proper jack and wrench would set you back a little more. It’s improbable that the automakers are saving more than $100 per vehicle given that they obtain these materials at a lower price.
Hyundai is frequently mentioned as one of the automakers driving this trend, although the company insists that weight reduction, not cost reduction, is the issue. Many of Hyundai’s vehicles come with a tire mobility kit in place of spare tires. A Hyundai spokesperson, Michele Tinson, provided an email explanation of the company’s approach.
The almost 25-pound weight savings is the key advantage of a tire repair kit versus a temporary spare tire, according to Tinson; cost was never a major deciding factor for Hyundai. “Automotive experts are always looking for ways to increase a vehicle’s efficiency, and weight reduction is a key component in assisting automobiles achieve higher fuel economy.”
In other words, fuel efficiency improves as the car’s overall weight is decreased. Tire retailer Tire Rack has found that reducing a car’s weight can reduce its fuel usage by up to 1%. This is also appealing for the automaker because average fuel consumption for the brand as a whole and marketing strategies for specific vehicle models both significantly rely on fuel efficiency ratings.
Has a spare tire been included with the 2013 BMW 3 Series?
No, the BMW 3 Series lacks a spare tire or a compartment in the trunk specifically for storing one.
The 3 Series has run-flat tires that are designed to last up to 150 miles after they go flat, just like the majority of BMW cars and SUVs. According to BMW, run-flat tires do away with the requirement for a spare. Although the run-flats have made it possible for them to pull over safely, several BMW owners report that they have had trouble locating a replacement tire at a tire shop the same day.
BMW owners have also expressed dissatisfaction over the run-flat tires’ accelerated tire degradation, but this may be partially attributable to individual driving habits. Discussions on whether to keep using run-flat tires or switch to regular tires are common in BMW owner forums.
According to forum postings we’ve seen, not all 3 Series owners have been put off by the lack of spare tire storage. Some claim they purchased a jack and a small temporary spare tire and kept them in the trunk just in case.
On some of their vehicles, other automakers like GM and Hyundai don’t include spare tires, but they usually do include an emergency tire-inflator kit that is designed to patch punctures by injecting sealant within the tire. Other manufacturers might follow this trend in the future because doing away with a spare tire and jack lightens the load, frees up space, and is more cost-effective.
Does a BMW accept standard tires?
More and more brand-new BMW cars leave the factory with run-flat tires installed. Others prefer conventional tires, despite the fact that many owners appreciate the piece of mind that comes with tires that can extend your driving distance by 50 to 100 miles when flat. So, if a BMW arrived with run-flat tires, can it be used with ordinary tires?
Yes, you can use regular tires on your run-flat-equipped BMW, if you’re searching for the quick and simple response to that question. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to both regular tires and run-flat tires, and we want to help you make the choice that best meets your circumstances. One word of caution, though: due to the handling and performance variations between the two tire types, if you’re thinking about switching the run-flat tires on your BMW to standard tires, you must do so on all four of them.
Why do BMWs now come without spare tires? New BMWs are designed to be lighter overall, which is why they no longer come with run-flat tires. Some models come with BMW Mobility Kits in place of spare tires, particularly in performance-oriented M vehicles. The majority of other models have run-flat tires. These tires, also referred to as zero-pressure tires, give you the peace of mind that, even on a long-distance road trip, nothing other than a complete tire failure would keep you from reaching your destination or a repair facility. Run-flat tires have have advantages and disadvantages, though.
Does a spare tire come with a BMW?
While run-flat tires are now standard on the majority of BMW models, some still have conventional tires. They still don’t have any extras, though. Most of them come with the BMW mobility kit.
Simply put, BMW’s version of the tire inflator kit is the mobility kit. You can quickly repair and re-inflate your tire in the event of a puncture. However, if a blowout occurs, there isn’t much you can do.
Is there a spare tire on the BMW 3 Series?
My brother-in-law just sold me a used 2020 BMW 3 Series, but I can’t find a spare tire anywhere. I don’t believe he ever had a flat, and he seldom ever drove the automobile. Are extra tires even included with the BMW 3 Series?
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Like many other automakers, BMW stopped including spare tires on their new vehicles. In actuality, more than one-third of new cars sold in the US do not include spare parts.
Run-flat tires, which last long enough after a puncture for drivers to reach their homes or an auto body shop, are instead installed to new BMWs.
Car manufacturers can claim that their vehicles are marginally lighter and more fuel-efficient by doing away with spare tires while also saving money. Unfortunately, a lot of automobile owners don’t know they’re missing a spare until they’ve had a flat.
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Will the BMW of 2022 feature a spare tire?
Yes, a spare is included as normal. The M Mobility Kit, which removes the spare, is an alternative. Thank you; I like the concept of a spare. When we had to run on the spare tire to get to the tire shop due to a nail in the tire, my vehicle has a place that has come in handy.
Why aren’t spare tires included in autos anymore?
Q. I was shocked to learn that my new car lacks a spare tire. Was I defrauded?
Today’s new cars come with a compressor and sealant kit to temporarily replace a flat tire, but about one-third of them do not have a spare tire. A run-flat tire, which is made to function for a short distance after losing air from a conventional puncture, is available on some vehicles without a spare.
Because of regulatory pressure to get more miles per gallon of gasoline, automakers are omitting the spare tire: by removing the 40–50 pounds that a tire and jack typically add to a car’s weight, fuel economy is somewhat increased. (Incidentally, because automakers don’t have to pay for those parts, this enhances their profits.)
The issue is that if a tire’s sidewall is cut or if the flat is brought on by more severe damage than a tread rupture, a sealant kit won’t be of much assistance. Think about investing in a spare-tire kit, which comes with a tire, jack, and lug wrench, if you want to be ready for any kind of flat tire. These starter kits cost about $150.
Before you take delivery, “know how your automobile is outfitted,” advises Chris Jones, a licensed mechanic and tire specialist at CR. The ideal time to find out if a car has a spare tire is at the showroom so you can also use it as a negotiating point rather than on the side of the road after you’ve had a flat
I’m from New England and have driven anything from a Segway to an aircraft carrier. I have collectively operated tens of thousands of vehicles, many of them on international racetracks. At the CR Auto Test Center today, such knowledge and enthusiasm are being used to empower customers. And if that means sacrificing some tires in the name of the truth, then be it. Continue with me
Is there a spare tire for a Mercedes?
Your Mercedes-Benz car has a spare tire, a tire fit mobility kit, or run-flat tires. A tire pressure monitoring system with sensors in each wheel is also included in your model.
Can a BMW have one tire changed?
In general, swap out two and position them in the back while leaving the worn ones in the front. If they’re within a 32nd or two, you can swap them out one at a time if you’d prefer.
Must I purchase a vehicle without a spare tire?
Is a spare tire available? If there is and it is worn, the likelihood is that it was installed in the carrier in place of a damaged road wheel that was not replaced or repaired. Like you would the four on the car, inspect any spare. If you ever need it, you’ll want to make sure it’s in drivable shape.
Do Lamborghinis come with spare tires?
Step 1: To prevent your automobile from blocking the road, find a secure location to park it.
Step 2: Engage the parking brake and check to make sure the car is on level, stable ground; otherwise, the jack will become embedded in the ground.
Step 3: Locate the spare tire, the tool, and the jack that will help you change the flat tire in the Lamborghini’s cargo compartment.
Step 4: Raise the car using the jack, then use the wrench to remove the lug nuts. The spare tire can be quickly installed in place of the flat tire.
5. Reinstall the lug nuts and tighten them manually first. Once the tire is on the ground, lower the jack. Use the wrench to tighten the lug nuts so that they won’t come loose while the car is moving.
Your flat tire has been fixed in these five simple steps, and you are now prepared to continue your journey. Make sure to clean up the area after replacing the tools and the flat tire under the trunk. For further directions on tool placement, where to put the spare tire, and how much pressure should be kept in the tires, consult your owner’s handbook.