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Car buyers are finding that they have to make wearisome concessions with the tires found on some new models. Certain tires can be very expensive to replace, and fixing a flat on some cars can be a more arduous task than before. Here are several examples of why you should carefully consider tires when you're thinking about purchasing any vehicle:
No spare, no jack. Many cars now come without a spare tire or jack. The Hyundai Accent, for example, comes with only a small air compressor and sealant kit to reinflate a flat tire.
Unfortunately, compressors and goo are no help if a tire's sidewall is damaged, so a motorist will be stranded until a tow truck arrives. Sometimes owners can buy an optional spare-tire kit if there is room for it, but making those basics into extra-cost items is not very consumer friendly.
Pricey tires on economical cars. Even mainstream cars, such as the Mazda3, Subaru Impreza, and Toyota Camry, now come with performance tires, either standard or optional. Such tires are meant to provide better handling and braking. But when it's time for new tires, owners may discover that their "economy" car requires costlier replacements.
Being stiffed by run-flats. Run-flat tires are designed to let you keep driving for up to 50 miles or so after a tire has been punctured. But their stiff sidewalls might create a harsher ride. They're also costly to replace, and the selection might be very limited. Though run-flats can get you safely off the road and to a service station after losing air, you'll probably need to search for the correct replacement tire before getting your car back on the road. You might even have to wait up to several days for a special order of the replacement tires to arrive.
Four for one. Some all-wheel-drive vehicles require that all four tires be replaced even if only one is damaged. The problem is that if you add a new tire into a set of half-worn tires, the small difference in tire diameters can cause damage to the AWD system. Replacing all four tires can be costly, especially with performance tires. But it might be even costlier down the road if the AWD system is damaged.
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