Low Glow

QUESTION: I work a later shift and drive home at night. The interior lights in my mini van aren’t bright enough to allow me to see anything in the dark recesses or anything that might have slipped onto the floor. I now carry a flashlight in the car, but my feeling is that I ought to be able to see things in my car without having to park under stadium lights, right? ANSWER: LED replacement bulbs are now available in many specialty or performance shops. But please, if you use these, remember not to illuminate them as you’re barreling down the highway. These things are stunningly bright, to the point that I worry about the distraction to the driver. Which, of course, is why interior lights traditionally have not been surgical-suite bright. QUESTION: Our daughter ran over something on the interstate, had a completely deflated tire a few miles later and discovered to her amazement there was no spare tire in her seven-month-old car. When she called the dealership they told her it was no oversight, and that the vast majority of cars don’t come with spares. Surely that’s not true! ANSWER: It’s true that many new or newish cars have no spare. But it’s an overstatement to say that the majority of cars come with no spares. Several carmakers have ditched the spares on some models. It saves them money, of course (some charge $100 to $300 for the optional spare) and it reduces the weight of the car, extremely important as they all maneuver to eke extra mpgs to meet federal requirements. Some argue that drivers are aware before a tire goes flat so they can get it fixed, no big deal. They don’t happen to explain how this adequate warning is particularly meaningful when the warning light illuminates in the middle of nowhere. Some even argue the lack of a spare tire actually keeps drivers safer by eliminating the risk of changing a tire on the side of the road. Some manufacturers put tire inflation kits in their spare-less cars. These allow you to patch and re-pump tires with punctures and drive them a few miles. Some carmakers equip cars with “run-flat” tires that will roll along for up to 50 miles even when flat. My advice to all drivers is to make no old-school assumptions. Know for sure if you’ve got a spare, if for no other reason than having the foreknowledge about how to react if you get a flat. What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.