AAA is calling on automobile manufacturers to stop eliminating spare tires from new car models.

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Over the last decade, spare tires been replaced with tire inflator kits in 29 million vehicles, according to AAA. Thirty-six percent of 2015 model year vehicles sold in the U.S. had tire inflator kits or run-flat tires, which allow a motorist to still drive their car with a flat tire.

Most of the spare tires started to be removed from cars thanks to changes in fuel economy standards.

"Automakers are facing increasingly-stringent fuel economy standards and the spare tire has become a casualty in an effort to reduce weight and boost miles-per-gallon," said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

The inflator kit only weighs four pounds versus the average 35 pound spare tire.

The problem with inflator kits, according to AAA, is they only work on certain types of flat tires. As a result, millions of drivers are being left vulnerable.

"If you have a blowout, or the puncture occurs on the rim, then you are going to need to call roadside assistance," said Sue Madden, a public and government affairs specialist for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Expense is also a concern with inflator kits. AAA Mid-Atlantic said some kits cost as much as $300 per use, costing consumers about 10 times more than a tire repair. A kit can only be used once.

Inflator kits also don't last long with an average shelf life of only four to eight years.

AAA Mid-Atlantic said calls to their roadside assistance line for tire-related problems have remained steady over the last five year. This year alone, there have been nearly 80,000 calls for tire service from January through October.

Madden said in 11 percent of those calls, members did not have a spare tire and about 9,000 cars had to be towed due to lack of a spare tire or an usable spare tire.

Madden said all drivers should check their vehicle out before a roadside emergency arises.

"Find out, if you have a spare tire, or if you just have a new inflator kit," Madden said.

If you're driving one of these vehicles, you may not have a spare tire:

Acura
MDX (2014-2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
RL (2006–2008): Run-flat tires
RLX (2014-2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
TSX wagon only (2012 – 2013): Inflator/sealant kit
TLX (2015) An inflator kit provided when not equipped with an optional spare tire
Aston Martin
All models have an inflator/sealant kit

Audi
A5 (2008 – 2015): Run-flat tires
A6 (2009 – 2015): Run-flat tires
A7 (2012 - 2015): Run-flat tires
Q7 (2007 – 2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
R8 (2010 – 2015): Run-flat tires
S4 (2006 – 2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
S5 (2008 – 2015): Run-flat tires
TT (2008 – 2015): Inflator/sealant kit

BMW
All vehicles are equipped with run-flat tires, except:
M1: Inflator/sealant kit
X4 (2015) Spare tire optional, run-flat tires are installed when not equipped with a spare
X5 (2007 – 2011): Spare tire optional, run-flat tires are installed when not equipped with a spare
X6 (2009 – 2011): Spare tire optional, run-flat tires are installed when not equipped with a spare

Buick
Enclave (2008 – 2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
Encore (2013 – 2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
Lacrosse (2010 – 2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
Regal (2013 – 2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare
Regal Hybrid (2008 – 2015): Spare tire optional, inflator/sealant kit provided when not equipped with a spare

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5

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