2013 Volvo S60

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO S60 EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES, TIRE LINE: CONTI PRO CONTACT, TIRE SIZE: 235/55R/1799H, AND DOT NUMBER: DOTAF8PN1H62212. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400.

NO SPARE TIRES IN NEW CARS PUTS US CONSUMERS IN DANGER YOU SHOULD BE AS DEEPLY CONCERNED, AS I AM, OF THE GROWING TREND AMONG CAR MANUFACTURERS TO LEAVE OUT SPARE TIRES. IN FACT THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE SPACE TO CARRY THEM. *TR DISCOUNTING THE QUESTIONABLE BENEFIT TO THEIR BOTTOM LINE THIS IS A TREND THAT PUTS US DRIVERS IN CONSIDERABLE DANGER. IT ALSO LEAVES THE US CONSUMER AT THE MERCY OF TOW TRUCK OPERATORS AND PRICE GOUGING BY THE DEALERS WHERE THE CAR IS TOWED. INSTEAD OF A SPARE THEY PROVIDE A FORM OF ?FIX-A-FLAT? THAT PUMPS A SEALANT AND AIR INTO THE PUNCTURED TIRE. THIS WILL ONLY WORK WITH TIRES WITH A SMALL PUNCTURE IN THE TREAD NOT ON LARGER HOLES OR SIDEWALL DAMAGE. IT ALSO CAUSES IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO POSSIBLY SALVAGEABLE TIRE. THE ONLY OTHER OPTION IS TO CALL AND WAIT FOR EMERGENCY HELP, WHICH COULD TAKE HOURS, DAYS OR BE NON-EXISTENT IN MANY AREAS. YOU CAN EASILY IMAGINE MANY SCENARIOS WHERE THE LACK OF A SPARE TIRE, AND WAITING HOURS FOR A TOW, COULD BE MORE THAN A BIG INCONVENIENCE, BUT A THREAT TO LIFE. A FLAT TIRE ON A LONG DESERTED STRETCH OF ROAD LATE AT NIGHT. A FLAT IN A BAD SECTION OF THE CITY OR A SECTION WHERE ROAD DEBRIS CAUSES MULTIPLE VEHICLES TO GET FLATS AT THE SAME TIME OVERWHELMING EMERGENCY SERVICES. FOR THE SAFETY OF US DRIVERS SPARE TIRES MUST BE SUPPLIED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON ALL CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.