these are probably chinese jacks. Less experience.

 

Most cars don't even have spares anymore, let alone a jack. Just call Onstar

 

If the tire shreds or can’t be fixed on the spot. Then what? In the modern era with no spares…long trips can be disastrous

 

As I said, you call ONSTAR in a GM vehicle.

 

Does Onstar send someone with new tire for those with no spares?

 

Not sure, but probably not a new tire unless they asked for the size which they didn't . I destroyed a tire after hitting a curb in the dark. They sent a Cadillac service truck and they replaced the tire with my spare. I had to go buy a new tire the next day. If I had no spare not sure what would have been done. My tire was not repairable. I would guess the service truck carries donut spares.

 

These vehicles are actually assembled in Korea, in a former Daewoo plant. Where the jacks come from, of course, is an open question.

 

More likely, it will be towed to the nearest shop of the owner's choice, unless a possible warranty issue is involved, where it will go the the nearest GM dealership.

My Verano had a serious flat that ruined a rear tire, but I was able to put on the spare in a parking lot and take it from there. My Lacrosse also needed a front tire, but got an OnStar tow. Encore GX also needed a new front tire after just a few months (picked up an large bolt).....but OnStar wasn't involved. I'll go into that story more in my upcoming 6-month ownership review.

 

Trying to be cheap. They can do it right but its expensive.

As for when you have no spare. The person they send will try and patch/plug the tire right there on the road which will solve 80% of flats. If they can't, they flatbed it to a dealer like any other failure. Seeing that I now have two cars with no spares I called and asked. Got the same answer from Chrysler, Mercedes and AAA.

So with no spare, make sure you DON'T DRIVE ON THE FLAT TIRE ANY DISTANCE.

 

Crazy to think we grew up with full size spares. I still have one on my 4Runners, they both match the existing wheels. No issues about breaking a tire far from home and having to mess up my schedule. I understand cars would have staggered tires which makes things just a bit more complicated but for regular everyday cars…a full size spare is a must. (Instead people are paying subscriptions to Onstar)

 

Not a chance. They'd have to (1) know the brand and size of your tire, (2) have it in stock (keeping in mind they send a AAA tow truck, which isn't a tire shop), and (3) would have to be able to mount and balance it on your rim on the roadside.

 

"Most"? No. "Lots"? Yes.

 

Yes....4Runners are still likely to have full-size spares because, like with the Tacoma, a fair number of owners actually take them off-road.

So you still have the old 4Runner? I thought you sold it off or traded it when you got the new one.

 

unless you're in a bad area, then keep going!

I wrote that because a friend was telling me about renting a car in Guatemala and the rental agent said if you get a flat keep going no matter what!

 

Haha, true.