If you hate changing tires you may be in luck because AAA says that due to the new fuel economy rules spare tires may be a thing in the past. The problem is that car makers will be challenged to come up with creative ways to reach these new standards. One of the easiest was to do so it to reduce the weight of the car, which means taking stuff out.

Remember back in the day, how if you had a flat, you often had another, heavy full sized tire waiting to replace it? Yes, it was heavy and awkward but it worked well and you could drive as much as you wanted to on it. In order to lower weight and help the mpg, they switched out that tire with a “donut,” an embarrassingly small tire that is not meant to be traveled on very far, but it does spare you some weight. Additionally, car jacks have become smaller and lighter as well. It used to be they had large, easy to use jacks, now they most cars have a small, practical jack if they have one at all. If you need to buy a used car, come see us!

That’s right, we said “at all,” because some cars are starting to come with no spare tire or jack at all. In fact if you are purchasing a new car, you should make sure it comes with one, or else look into getting an upgrade to one.   The last thing you want is to get into forsaken desert highway, have a flat, and find out you lack a spare.

Another thing car makers are doing is putting run-flat tires on their cars. These tires are designed so that you can keep driving on them, for a little while even if they go flat. However, you can’t go far, and it doesn’t count much for a blow-out.  Other dealers are putting a can of Fix-a-Flat in the trunk, but like run-flat tires, this can of wonder can only do so much.

No one knows for sure if this will happen or not and much remains up in the air. However if you are looking for a new, or even used car, then you should make sure it has a spare tire in it. Make sure it is well inflated and that you have a jack and tire iron as well. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Check out our used car finder for a location near you.

• 2007 – 2010 Toyota Camry
• 2005 – 2010 Toyota Avalon
• 2004 – 2009 Toyota Prius
• 2005 – 2010 Toyota Tacoma
• 2007 – 2010 Toyota Tundra
• 2007 – 2010 Lexus ES350
• 2006 – 2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350

Toyota and Lexus service technicians have undergone training and are now equipped to make the necessary modifications to these models. Although it would seem to be an easy fix; just replace the defective floor mats with a more efficient design, Toyota wants to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Therefore, technicians will actually be reshaping the accelerator pedal and in some models will also install a brake override system. Beginning in April 2010 there will be accelerator pedal replacement part available for those customers that would like to have it installed. Toyota has begun issuing recall letters instructing owners to bring their vehicles in for repair and anticipates a deluge in their service departments. To help combat the inconvenience many Toyota Dealerships are offering rental cars to customers affected by the recall.

The official Toyota website offers more information about the Toyota/Lexus recall including overall safety of both Toyota and Lexus vehicles. For further information Toyota customers can contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance at 1-800-255-3987.