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Thursday, November 12, 2015

This safety feature no longer standard in many cars

BALTIMORE —As holiday travel season approaches, AAA estimates hundreds of Maryland drivers could be in for a nasty surprise.

Dozens of cars no longer come with a safety feature some may consider a standard feature.

Vickie Swindell creates memories by putting miles on her minivan with her 81-year-old mother and their friend, Alverta Dockins, but hitting the road takes extra time and effort, and Swindell likes to be prepared for anything.

She thought her $37,000 Chrysler van had every available safety feature when she set out on an overnight girls' trip last summer, so getting a flat tire didn't rattle her -- at first.

"We got the crank out, cranked down the cable, no spare tire," Swindell said. "I have a jack (and) a crank to crank down my spare tire that wasn't there. I have a blow-up kit."

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Actually many new cars with no spare tire are equipped with run flat tires so a spare isn't needed. Most of the German car lines are doing this.

Anonymous said...

Another unintended consequence of automakers having to lighten vehicles, to meet efficiency standards, set by the EPA, pushed by a liberal agenda and the global warming fraud. Thankfully all my vehicles have spare tires and a tire plug kit as well, which has come in handy many many times. Run flats are great if you run over a simple nail, but anything larger or more damaging, you're going to need a spare. Or a tow. What would be cheaper, carrying a spare or paying for a tow?

Anonymous said...

"are equipped with run flat tires?" I don't understand. Please explain.

Anonymous said...

From a real, full size spare tire, to "compact" miniature "spares" to...no spare tire at all.

Consumers need to learn how to cope, should a blowout occur eventually.

Anonymous said...

google.com can explain it all for you.

Anonymous said...

so what , maybe you want a genie to come with this and repair the tire. complain , complain , buyer beware!