Panorama Community Magazine
What, No Spare Tire? Its hidden far away in the recesses of the trunk. Out of sight out of mind. Not needed until you hear the dreaded low tire alarm and the strange icon appears on the dash. Flat tire, no problem. I can put the spare tire on and be on the road in no time. Open the truck and to your surprise there is nothing but a can of fix a flat, the stuff you used to fix your bicycle tires when you were a kid. Or maybe a tire inflator kit. Wow, a new car without a spare! Where did it go? Did they forget to put it in your trunk? Not too long ago a spare tire used to be standard equipment in cars and trucks. The new car market is changing in ways that may leave some drivers stuck on the side of the road. Automakers have become so focused solely on fuel economy requirements, trunk space and safety concerns that they have shifted toward smaller temporary tires or in many cases, no spare at all. Full size spares are the same size as the other tires on the vehicle and usually match
By Thomas R. Buff
the others. But there has been a 49 percent decrease since 2007 of vehicles that still provide a full time spare. Temporary spares, often called “donut tires” can be found in 52 percent of 2014 plus model year cars. But these tires are designed to be used on a temporary basis because they are smaller and are not made for speeds over 55 miles per hour. “Run flat tires” normally require no spare at all. These tires have reinforced sidewalls that give them the strength to operate with little or no air at all. They are designed to go up to 50 miles at speeds under 50 mph in order to make it to a repair station. These tires give the motorist the advantage of not having to stop on the side of the road to change it which can lead to a dangerous situation. But they are not immune to blowouts from hitting potholes which usually litter our area. Some new car manufactures are not including any type of tire at all. Instead they are providing the lucky motorist with a tire Continued on page 47
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From Everyone At
37 North Pine Street, Hazleton LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
•Inspection •Alignments •Auto Repairs
COLLISION REPAIRS & SERVICE INSURANCE ESTIMATES
Quality Repairs & Service Family Owned & Operated since 1965 Al Miller, proprietor
418 E. Chapel St., Hazleton
570-455-9583 • 800-541-3648
1117 W. 15th St., Hazleton 570-455-3702
(Behind the Cheese Store on 15th St.)
Mon-Fri 9-7 • Sat 9-6
94 E. Bridge St. Lehighton 610-377-3700 Mon-Sat 8-5
Trust Your Car to the Area’s Most Up-To-Date Collision Shop! NEW STORAGE UNITS AVAILABLE!
Standard features include: • Open Seven Days A Week 6am to 10pm • After-Hours Emergency Contact Available for Tenants • Most Up To Date Security System & HD Cameras • 24 Hour Surveillance • All Units Have 8’ Doors
New Size 10x40
Route 93, Sybertsville • 570 788-5491 • sjmautosales.com DECEMBER 2021
T-TAGS, TRANSFERS DUPLICATE TITLES, ETC. Registration & Drivers License Renewals
2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 114 FOURTH STREET PORT CARBON, PA
570•628•2678
HOURS: MON, TUE, THUR, FRI 11AM-7PM SATURDAY 9AM-3PM
101 N. LEHIGH AVENUE FRACKVILLE, PA
570•874•0531
HOURS: MON, TUE, THUR, FRI 9AM-5PM SATURDAY 9AM-2PM
CLOSED EVERY WEDNESDAY MASKS REQUIRED
45
