So, why Is My Car Missing A Spare Tire?
Few things are as stressful as a flat tire. Especially as you’re traveling along a remote and desolate highway.
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The asterisk ( * ) shown by some listed models indicates that a particular model's spare tire will be absent depending on various factors. These factors include trim level differences, model year changes, and drivetrain types such as hybrid or electric drive models. If shopping for one of these vehicle models, please inspect carefully to determine if the spare is present or offered.
In recent model years, Acura has determined that for their car models, typical spare tire alternatives are acceptable in an effort to reduce build cost and weight. This also applies to some SUV and crossover models such as the RDX. Generally, Acura models still have adequate space to store a spare tire in the “well” space under the cargo floor trunk area. This makes storing a spare convenient if one can be acquired.
Please note that in some cases, factory-ordered or salvage yard spare tire options may not accommodate large high-performance brake systems on your Acura. Therefore, carefully consider not only the tire diameter and wheel’s lug nut pattern but the brake size as well. Larger and more sophisticated brake systems may be another reason carmakers look at spare tire alternatives instead of spending money and resources to engineer a proper spare tire.
As you know, Ford is a large global automaker with a history of joint ventures, partnerships, and, ownership stakes with many other brands. Larger brands sharing design efforts are less likely to standardize wheel lug patterns throughout their lineup.
Ford’s past ownership stake in Volvo could explain Ford’s adoption of the metric 5X108mm bolt pattern found in many current models. This pattern has been common with Volvo long before Ford’s involvement with the company. Besides the mustang, the 5X108mm pattern is found on the above-listed models including the Mustang Mach-E Battery Electric Vehicle. Besides the branding and some styling elements, the Mach-E shares very little mechanically with the Mustang.
The Ford Mustang still uses the same 5X4.5-inch (or 5X114.3mm in metric) pattern used on many 5 lug pattern models going back for decades. Interestingly, this pattern is extremely common even in many current, non-Ford models. Kia/Hyundai, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Tesla, to name a few. The Mustang, in all trim levels, began leaving out a factory-supplied spare tire in 2005, although even current models are built with the storage “well” space under the trunk floor.
The BMW ownership of Mini re-invented the brand with the introduction of the first new models in 2001. Not surprisingly and where needed, BMW’s same trend towards using run-flat tires is part of Mini’s plan. Most likely, higher performance models like the Cooper S and larger models like the Countrymen will also have wheel and tire combinations with taller overall diameters. This makes storage space for a spare challenging for the designers trying to not sacrifice usable interior space. The next obvious choice for the carmaker is run-flats or one of the other common alternatives. Early Mini models had rather short factory wheel and tire combinations so a suitable spare can be likewise as small and easier to store.
Bolt patterns on Minis have changed throughout the model year lineup. Early models used a common 4X100mm PCD pattern found on small European cars like early model BMWs, Volkswagens, and others. Larger models adopted the same 5X120mm pattern common with BMW. In later years Mini models transitioned to the same 5X112mm PCD pattern now used for all newer BMW models.