Had a flat tire recently? If so, you’re not alone. And if you haven’t, well, you’re probably due. After all, tire troubles are one of the biggest concerns for U.S. drivers. They report some 220 million flats each year, with the average person dealing with five flat tires over the course of her or his lifetime.

It’s an ongoing issue that the automakers recognize as well. That’s why so many of today’s new vehicles come with tire pressure monitoring systems. These can provide an early warning if a tire is beginning to lose air pressure. Unfortunately, a growing number of companies aren’t putting the same kind of focus on what happens after a flat. According to a recent AAA study, 28 percent of the vehicles produced for the 2017 model year did not offer a spare tire as standard equipment.

Now, there are a few benefits to skipping a spare tire. For a full-size pickup, for example, an extra wheel and tire easily can add more than 60 pounds to a vehicle’s load. It may not seem like much, but every ounce counts when you’re trying to reduce curb weight and boost fuel efficiency. There’s also more room for cargo when you don’t have a spare tire, which is particularly important in cars and SUVs.

Of course, none of that will help if you’re pulled off on the side of the road with a punctured tire. For those situations, automakers are providing newer ways to deal with flats.

What Are Run-flat Tires?

Often found in premium sporty cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette, “run-flat” tires are the all-in-one solution to the problem. They are specifically engineered so that you can keep driving even if you lose air pressure in a tire. In most cases, run-flat tires have extra-strong sidewalls that can hold up the weight of the vehicle themselves. Others rely on a hard support ring that wraps around the wheel and can bear the car’s weight.

Both types have an obvious advantage since you don’t have to change a run-flat tire if it’s punctured. You just keep driving until you get to a repair shop.

Yet they have their drawbacks, too. For instance, once a run-flat tire runs out of air, you can only drive at a limited speed and for a limited distance. Further, if the problem goes beyond a simple puncture, you may not be able to drive at all. Say a blowout damages the sidewalls of the tire. The most common kind of run-flat can’t be used if that happens, so you have to wait for either a tow or a new tire. Also, despite their strength in low-pressure situations, run-flat tires don’t always last as long as traditional tires in ordinary driving conditions. They aren’t always as comfortable, either. But they do tend to be more expensive.

What Is a Tire Repair Kit?

Certain cars feature a tire repair kit instead of a spare tire. Drivers may have to get their hands a little dirty when using them, but they’re still much easier to manage than a jack and lug wrench.

With a car like the 2018 Toyota Prius, the standard tire repair kit includes two key pieces. The driver simply attaches a small plastic bottle of sealant to the electric tire inflator. The inflator is then connected to the car’s standard accessories outlet at one end and attached to the tire’s air valve at the other. Running the inflator for a few minutes can fill the tire with enough air and sealant to get home or to a garage.

But again, tire repair kits are only meant for relatively minor punctures. A larger hole or a blowout can leave you stranded. On the financial side of things, the sealant in most kits has to be replaced every four to eight years regardless of whether it’s been used. Nor is it cheap. A bottle of that stuff can cost up to $90.

What Are the Benefits of Spare Tires?

As you might expect, when it comes to safety and drivability, the best option is always four full-size tires that are all in good condition. If one is damaged, the best-case scenario is completely replacing it with a new one. This restores your car to its original, intended setup. But “temporary” or “donut” spare tires can be an effective compromise between supplying a traditional spare and eliminating a spare tire completely.

On the one hand, temporary spares are lighter and smaller than their full-size counterparts. So they help save weight and maintain cargo space. At the same time, they also have structural advantages over a damaged run-flat tire or a tire that’s been punctured and repaired. With all that in mind, most new vehicles with spares have the donut variety. Full-size trucks, such as the Ram 1500, however, do have matching full-size spare tires.

The problem is that changing any size tire can be a physically challenging and dangerous task, especially on a busy highway or late at night.

Here’s something to remember in the real world, though: A major benefit of run-flat tires and tire repair kits is that they can be so easy for drivers. In many flat-tire situations, they let folks make it to a professional repair facility with a minimum of fuss and effort. Compare that to a car with a spare tire that needs to be changed.

Sure, you may have to call for help swapping wheels. But unless it’s only a minor issue, you would have had to call for help anyway even with a run-flat tire or a tire repair kit. The difference is that with a spare tire on hand, your helper only needs some elbow grease and the right tools to change the tire. If you don’t have a spare, and whomever you call doesn’t have a wheel that fits your specific car, you have to leave it by the side of the road while you get a replacement.

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