Choosing a car with all of the features you need can sometimes feel impossible. Do you want to get an Acura ILX but don't know whether it includes a spare tire or not? Well, we've done plenty of research and have the answer here for you. Let's get into it.
The Acura ILX won't include a spare tire but instead an emergency tire repair kit. That said, it is possible to purchase a separate compact spare tire along with your car directly from Acura, so you do have that option. Many brands, including Acura, opt-out of adding a spare tire to improve their vehicle's gas mileage, so this is a pretty standard practice industry-wide.
As we begin, we will cover all things Acura and discuss the many features of their ILX lineup. Whether you're a loyal Acura customer or this is your first time shopping with them, we're here to offer some help. With that said, let's jump right into this topic!
Why Doesn't The Acura ILX Come With A Spare Tire?
One of the main reasons Acura doesn't include a spare tire in their ILX lineup is to improve gas mileage. Considering a spare can weigh between 30 and 50 pounds, having one sit in your car can end up putting more pressure on your vehicle, ultimately eating up gas.
Of course, Acura will include a tire repair kit with all of their vehicles that you can use to temporarily fix a popped tire, although this won't be as effective as a spare.
Can I Add A Spare Tire To An Acura ILX?
You can certainly purchase a separate spare tire with an Acura ILX. Although it isn't included in your car's MSRP, Acura offers compact spare tires/wheels that should cost you between $150 and $200.
If you prefer to purchase an entire emergency spare kit, there are a few good options, ranging from $300-$450, which you can check out here. Again, having a spare tire with your car isn't required, so this comes down to your preference.
What To Do If Your Car Has No Spare Tire
If your vehicle doesn't come with a spare tire, there are plenty of ideas to try. In general, you want to:
- Purchase a separate spare tire/wheel
- Install run-flat tires on your car
- Use an emergency tire repair kit
- Call emergency roadside assistance
On top of that, many tires can last a while once they become damaged, so if you're within a few miles of a repair shop, you can always try driving carefully to it.
Is Having A Spare Tire Legally Required?
No, you aren't legally required to have a spare tire in your car. Although this does seem like a viable safety protocol, many new vehicles won't include a spare tire [and don't legally need to].
According to Les Schwab, about 35% of new vehicles now come from the factory without a spare tire, affecting more than one-third of car buyers. That said, carmakers will include a tire repair kit if your vehicle doesn't have a spare, so you shouldn't ever be completely helpless.
What Is In A Spare Tire Kit?
Typically, a spare tire kit will come with a tire, jack, and lug wrench. Of course, you may end up with other accessories like a tire inflator, sealant, or patch and plug kit, but a standard spare tire kit won't usually include all of these.
On top of that, your Acura will come with detailed instructions on fixing your tire if it becomes damaged, so this process shouldn't be too challenging.
Do Tire Repair Kits Help?
Yes, using a tire repair kit can be very useful if you don't have a spare. Considering that the Acura ILX will include one, it's a good idea to get to know how yours works.
A tire repair kit will often use a plug and patch or inflating system, which you can use to get from point A to B without putting yourself or your car in danger. Furthermore, a tire repair kit should also be somewhat easy to maneuver, meaning any driver will be able to understand it.
How Do You Use The Acura Tire Repair Kit?
This won't be too difficult for those without a spare tire needing to use their included tire repair kit. To start:
- Locate your vehicle's repair kit [usually in the trunk].
- Attach the sealant hose to your tire's valve stem and tighten it.
- Connect the power cable to the power outlet inside your car.
- Turn the dial to select a sealant position and press "ON."
- Keeping an eye on the pressure gauge, inflate your tire.
- Once inflated, remove your sealant hose and place everything back into its kit.
One thing to note, Acura's tire repair kit won't be able to repair a sidewall puncture, so if the side of your tire is damaged, it's best to call roadside assistance.
How To Use Acura Tire Repair Kit Tutorial
Here is a helpful video tutorial from Policaro Acura's official ">YouTube channel. In this video, they dive into the basics of using your kit and give insight on keeping your tires usable until you can get them repaired or replaced.
Are There Different Kinds Of Spare Tires?
Yes, there are different kinds of spare tires, usually varying in size, capability, and price. Typically, these fall into three categories:
- Full-size spares - biggest and most capable, but tend to be the most expensive
- Temporary full-size spares - lighter-weight and best for everyday driving and storage
- Temporary mini-spares (donut) - smaller than regular tires with limited driving/distance capability
Of the three, you'll see temporary full-size spares most often, as they don't take up as much room and are easier to install, although they aren't permanent options.
Donut spares are also very common because of how lightweight they are, although they can't handle highways or long distances.
How Do You Tell If Your Spare Is A Donut?
Generally, you should be able to tell if your spare tire is a donut by looking at it. Donut spares will be smaller than regular tires and feel slightly lighter in weight, so that's an easy indicator.
That said, donut spare tires will usually only come with smaller-sized vehicles, so if you're in an SUV or truck, it's not likely your spare is a donut.
How Long Can You Drive With A Spare Tire?
Depending on what type of spare tire you have, this can affect how long it's safe to drive with it. Typically, a mini-spare or "donut" tire won't be good for more than 50-70 miles and shouldn't exceed 50 MPH.
If you have a temporary full-size spare, you should be safe to drive for a few days until you can get a new permanent tire installed, so this is a more reliable option between the two. Now, if you have a full-size spare or extra tire you put on, this is just like a regular tire, so you won't need to replace it after a certain mileage/timeframe.
Can You Drive On The Highway With A Spare Tire?
In general, we don't recommend driving on the highway with a spare tire. Considering that donut spares can't exceed 50 MPH, taking the highway can do more harm than good.
Even with thicker, full-size options, the highway isn't safe for more than a few miles, so try and stick with regular streets and roads if you can.
Are Acura Tires Reliable?
Overall, we would say that Acura tires will be reliable. Acura uses Michelin tires for most of their vehicles, which is one of the better options out there, so you can expect a high-quality tire to drive on.
On top of that, you should get about 50,000-70,000 miles out of the tires on an Acura, so this is pretty impressive. Of course, accidents and flats will happen with any brand, so it's always good to know how to use your tire repair kit.
To Wrap Things Up
Whether you have an Acura ILX or want to purchase one, it's good to know what comes with it. From what we found, the ILX lineup won't include a spare tire but instead a tire repair kit.
This kit works more like an inflate and patch system and helps get your vehicle to a repair shop without having you remove and replace your tire. Acura also offers a few spare tire options you can purchase separately with your car, although doing this isn't necessarily required.
Regardless, make sure to read your tire repair kit's instructions before using it, and don't forget to avoid highways if driving on a spare.
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