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Tinypass

So if you want to read the article for free, go here instead:
http://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/07/despite-vehicle-advances-break-downs-at-record-high/

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 20, 2016) – Despite advances in vehicle technology, including maintenance reminders and other dashboard alerts designed to mitigate roadside trouble, AAA rescued a record-breaking 32 million drivers in 2015, with more battery, flat tire and key problems than ever before, a new study shows. Vehicles fewer than five years old in particular experienced a higher proportion of tire and key-related issues than older vehicles, suggesting that the trend toward eliminating the spare tire and moving to electronic keyless ignitions may have unintended consequences.

“Vehicles today are advanced more than ever, yet are still vulnerable to breakdowns,” said Cliff Ruud, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Solutions. “Sleek, low profile tires are highly susceptible to damage, electronic keyless ignitions can zap battery life and despite advanced warning systems, more than half a million drivers ran out of gas last year.”

Owners of new vehicles may be unaware that some new vehicle designs and features may leave them vulnerable at the roadside. To reduce vehicle weight and boost fuel economy, spare tires are being eliminated from new vehicles at alarming rates, and are being replaced with tire inflator kits that can only remedy some flat tire situations. Additionally, new keyless ignition systems can drain the battery life when keys are stored too close to the vehicle and can lock a driver out of the vehicle while the engine is still running. Finally, despite nearly all new vehicles being equipped with low fuel warning alerts and range estimations, a higher proportion of drivers are using these systems to push the limits between fuel ups.

It's a classic case of cars have become so complicated trying to anticipate every contingency that the very complications cause more problems than when people were accustomed to taking care of their vehicle as a normal routine. And cars today are beyond being able to be worked on by their owners.

P N Dr Lo R says

And cars today are beyond being able to be worked on by their owners.

I don't really get this. Plug in a cheap adapter, download an app, and let the car tell you what's going on. Checking fluids, changing brake pads, troubleshooting suspension issues are pretty much the same. Engines tend to not need as much tweaking. They automatically compensate for various conditions.

tvgnus says

AAA: Vehicle breakdowns at record high

This is due to all the crashes caused by people looking at turtledove's breasts on the mobile version of PatNet.

Dan,
Some patnetters have no balls.
turtledove has no beasts,at least I haven't seen them.
Is turtledove 6'-6",306 lbs & hairy chested.
That would be distracting.

All in fun turtledove!

AAA is the largest insurer in the country. Of course there getting more calls, People rarely do any maintenance on vehicles they drive. The younger the driver generally the less they do. They may own a car for 6 years and never do a oil change, tires low? keep driving until they are flat.

People became too lazy to change their own tires. Plus, many cars now come without a spare but with a can of fix-a-flat and portable compressor instead.

From what I have personally seen, most people now have no ability to change a flat with their own spare tire. What is one of the simplest operations in vehicle maintenance is now beyond our "highly educated" populace. These people can talk about high science, program computers to talk back to you, and debate endlessly on what the meaning of "is" is, but they are completely helpless when it comes to the real world. When the disaster strikes, our nation of educated idiots will die in their millions like sheaves of cut wheat.

P N Dr Lo R says

And cars today are beyond being able to be worked on by their owners.

I can do it. I have tools, an OBDII scanner, and a factory service manual for all cars I own.

Quigley says

From what I have personally seen, most people now have no ability to change a flat with their own spare tire

As long as you understand that there are a lot of horribly stupid people out there, it does explain a lot. Even a moron who doesn't know how to change a tire should know how to pull out their phone and watch a YouTube video on it. BTW, I keep a breaker bar, a socket for my lugs, and a lug wrench in my car at all times, so if I get a flat, I will be able to get the lugs off.

If the average user gets a flat every right years, what is more cost effective, being able to change the flat on your own, or saving money on gas for eight years by ditching the spare and tools, and calling for a tow or using a fix a flat? I'm guessing it depends on whether you are a city or country road driver.

Straw Man says

Plus, many cars now come without a spare

True, but prudent people only buy new cars that come with spares, or acquire a spare quickly (sometimes the spare is an option that one has to make sure that one gets).

YesYNot says

If the average user gets a flat every right years

I use my spare very time I rotate my tires.

HEY YOU says

Is turtledove 6'-6",306 lbs & hairy chested.

You have been looking at the pictures Dan posts.

zzyzzx says

I use my spare very time I rotate my tires.

Fine. You are still getting worse fuel economy, because you are carrying around a spare tire and tools.

I also do this, but fuel economy is one reason many cars no longer include a spare.