How do I know if my car has a spare?
Most cars still carry a spare tire or a repair kit, but some newer models skip a traditional spare in favor of sealant kits or roadside assistance. The quickest way to know is to check your trunk area and the owner's manual.
Understanding whether your vehicle has a spare—and what form it takes—helps you plan for flats, especially on longer trips or in areas with limited assistance. Carmakers have increasingly varied configurations: some continue to include a full-size or donut spare, while others rely on tire sealants, inflators, or dedicated roadside services. Knowing your exact model and year is key to avoiding surprises on the road.
Where to look for a spare and how it’s stored
Spare tires and related kits are usually tucked away in a few standard places. The following overview covers the most common storage options you’ll encounter.
Variations by vehicle type
Sedan and hatchback trunks commonly hide a spare under a floor panel, while many SUVs place a spare in an underfloor compartment or mounted under the rear of the vehicle. Some compact cars blend the jack and tools with the kit in a side storage well. Always confirm with your model’s manual, as layouts can differ even within the same brand.
- Trunk floor storage: A flat panel in the cargo area lifts to reveal a spare or toolkit.
- Under-floor or recessed well: The spare tire is stored beneath or behind a floor HATCH, common in sedans and hatchbacks.
- Undercarriage or rear compartment: Some SUVs and pickups mount the spare on the underside or in a dedicated rear compartment.
- Side compartments or behind access panels: A few models use smaller side storage for the spare and tools.
- No spare at all: An increasing number of newer vehicles rely on tire sealant kits or roadside assistance instead of a spare.
If you can’t locate a spare after checking these areas, consult your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm the configuration for your exact model and year.
What kinds of spares you might find
Spare tires and alternatives come in several forms, each with its own use case and limitations. The following list describes the most common options you may encounter.
- Full-size spare: A tire and wheel the same size as your regular tires, providing full performance until replacement.
- Donut or space-saver spare: A smaller tire intended for temporary use, typically with speed and mileage limits.
- Tire repair kit (sealant and inflator): No tire on a wheel; used to seal punctures and reinflate the tire, often with an accompanying compressor.
- Run-flat tires: Tires designed to be driven for a limited distance after a puncture; many vehicles with run-flats do not include a separate spare.
- Emergency roadside kit: Some vehicles provide tools and inflators without a spare wheel, paired with roadside assistance options.
Knowing which type your vehicle uses can guide preparation and help you decide what to carry for longer trips or remote drives.
How to confirm you have a spare and how to access it
Having a clear understanding of the spare’s location and how to use it can save time during a breakdown. The following steps help you verify and access your spare before you head out on the road.
- Open the trunk and inspect the floor panel for a handle or seam indicating a hidden compartment.
- Lift the floor panel or remove any cargo cover to reveal a spare, tool kit, or inflator kit.
- Check the owner’s manual section on changing a tire for model-specific details, including spare type, jack placement, and removal steps.
- Look for a label in the door jamb, glove box, or within the toolkit that indicates the presence and type of spare or repair kit.
- If no spare or kit is found, plan for roadside assistance or obtain a replacement via the manufacturer’s service plan.
Having verified your setup, you’ll be better prepared to handle a tire issue quickly. If your car lacks a traditional spare, consider adding a compact repair kit or ensuring you have robust roadside coverage for peace of mind.
Why this matters for your travels
Knowing whether your car carries a spare—and what form it takes—affects how you handle a flat tire and how far you can safely drive before repair or replacement. The landscape is evolving: some new models forgo a spare entirely, leaning on sealant kits and roadside assistance. Verifying your exact model’s configuration ensures you’re prepared wherever the road takes you.
Summary
In brief, most cars still have some form of spare, but the exact setup varies by model, year, and market. Start by inspecting the trunk area and consulting the owner’s manual to confirm the spare’s presence and type. If you discover there’s no traditional spare, consider keeping a tire sealant kit or ensuring you have reliable roadside assistance. Being prepared helps you stay safe and minimize disruption when a flat tire occurs.
Which cars still have a spare wheel?
Of the 313 separate car models analysed across all major manufacturers by the RAC, those that come with some form of spare at the time of research are: Fiat Tipo, Ford Focus (selected models), Hyundai Sante Fe (PHEV), Land Rover Defender, SEAT Ateca (selected models), Suzuki Across, Volvo XC90 (not PHEV), Toyota Land ...
Do all cars have a spare tire in them?
No, not all cars come with a spare tire, as a significant number of new vehicles are now sold without one as standard equipment. Automakers have removed spare tires to save weight for better fuel efficiency, to create more space for things like batteries or cargo, and to cut costs. In place of a spare, many cars come with a tire inflation and sealant kit, run-flat tires, or have no backup for a flat tire at all.
Reasons for the change
- Fuel efficiency: Lighter vehicles use less fuel.
- Space: Removing the spare creates more room for batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles, or for additional cargo space.
- Cost savings: Eliminating the spare and the associated tools reduces the overall manufacturing cost.
Alternatives to a spare tire
- Tire inflation and sealant kit: A kit that can patch small punctures and reinflate the tire, though it may not be effective for all types of damage.
- Run-flat tires: Tires that are designed to be driven on for a limited distance and at reduced speeds after they have lost air pressure.
- No backup: Some vehicles do not include any alternative to a spare tire, leaving drivers to call for roadside assistance.
How do I tell if my spare is a donut?
A donut often referred to as a ” spare tire, ” is a type of temporary tire that is used to replace a flat or damaged tire. Donuts are usually smaller in diameter than the tires they are replacing and have a narrower width.
What to do if I have a flat tire and no spare?
If you have a flat tire and no spare, your best options are to call for professional roadside assistance or use a tire repair kit. You can also try to temporarily inflate the tire with a portable compressor if the damage is minor, which may allow you to drive slowly to a repair shop.
Immediate actions
- Pull over to a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights and, if possible, place warning triangles or cones behind your vehicle to alert other drivers.
- Assess the damage. Look to see if it's a simple puncture or more severe damage, and note if there is any air left in the tire.
Options for a flat tire with no spare
- Use a tire repair kit. Many newer cars come with a kit instead of a spare tire. This typically includes a can of sealant and a portable air compressor to inflate the tire.
- Follow the kit's instructions to inject sealant into the tire and then inflate it to a temporary pressure. This is a temporary fix to get you to a repair shop.
- Call roadside assistance. Contact your insurance provider or a service like AAA for help. They can tow your vehicle to a nearby mechanic or provide on-site repair if possible.
- Try inflating with a portable compressor. If the tire has air but is low, use a portable compressor (plugs into the car's cigarette lighter) to inflate it enough to drive to a shop. Do not drive if the tire is completely flat, as this can cause permanent damage.
- Take the wheel to a shop. If you have the tools but no spare, you can remove the flat wheel, take it to a tire shop for repair or replacement, and then bring the new or repaired wheel back to your car.
What to do after the immediate fix
- Visit a professional. Whether you used a repair kit or inflated the tire, your next step should be to get to a tire shop for a proper repair or new tire as soon as possible.
- Inform the mechanic. If you used a sealant, let the shop know so they can be prepared when they take the tire off the rim.
