[Allpar News System]

According to an Allpar insider, the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans are going on a diet to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. According to the source, the minivans are literally going to lose their spare tires next month. The temporary compact spare will be replaced by a portable tire inflation kit with a compressor and foam tire sealant. The weight difference between the spare and the kit is around 28 pounds. Ram Cargo Vans and vehicles built for fleet sales are not included in the change. A “corporate miscalculation” was said to be the driving force behind the change which affects about 70% of the vehicles built at the Windsor Assembly Plant. Fines for failure to meet the standards can bring hefty fines from the federal government. As the full-size spare was deleted to save weight in the past, the compact spare is now on..

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[Bearhawke]

Yet it seems that vehicles as a whole are becoming heavier. :scared:

 

[Tomguy]

I'd rather have a full-size spare than a donut or no tire, even if it meant losing a whole MPG or two. And I can't imagine 28lbs for the donut costing even a single MPG.

All of my vehicles have a full-size spare. I've had to use too many spare tires in my life (thanks, NE PA roads) to NOT do so.

 

[TWX]

I really hope that they're going to build them without removing the ability to hold a spare, or at least without removing the mounting-points for the spare tire mechanism...

I may well go around-town without a spare; it wouldn't be especially hard to have it fetched from home if necessary, but on a road-trip I would not want to be without one.

I would pull the spare-tire retainer cable assembly from a junked van and find a wheel and tire if I had to.

 

[Stratuscaster]

Pretty sure they are just not installing the traditional mini-spare at the factory.

 

[Bearhawke]

I really hope that they're going to build them without removing the ability to hold a spare, or at least without removing the mounting-points for the spare tire mechanism...

I may well go around-town without a spare; it wouldn't be especially hard to have it fetched from home if necessary, but on a road-trip I would not want to be without one.

I would pull the spare-tire retainer cable assembly from a junked van and find a wheel and tire if I had to.

And to run with your ball further; with the insane proliferation of tire/rim sizes these days; getting a correct replacement tire (or wheel) may become problematic in a few years.

 

[RVC]

Somebody should explain to the geniuses that require cars to weigh like a feather, that it's them that are causing cars to actually weigh more and more by simultaneously telling manufacturers to stuff new vehicles with all sort of safety gizmos and thicker body parts for frontal/side/rear/rollover impact.

 

[jerseyjoe]

Must be more to that than that. Spare should be an option. Whats next, the vehicle won't start if you have an extra large sugary beverage? Will it also refuse to go to places where quick road service is not available? Wait for the class action suit by stranded customers, real or not.

 

[TWX]

And to run with your ball further; with the insane proliferation of tire/rim sizes these days; getting a correct replacement tire (or wheel) may become problematic in a few years.

I already experience that with my Impala, its 255/50/17 tires are scarce and pricey at about $1000 a set, and I essentially have to use a slightly-under-strength tire that was originally for a Mustang in order to keep the size the same. I did find another tire that has the same circumference but is about an inch narrower; I expect that if the normal size is discontinued or becomes even more pricey that I may have to change tires.

 

[jerseyjoe]

The thing I didn't like about my Challenger was lack of spare and the sales guy bombarding with all information but that. Found out a month after I got it! Thing is I can't even find a well that would hold a spare. Hope they tell new buyers up front.