# 2019 Volkswagen Jetta compact spares: safe for the average driver? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jetta, volkswagen\ **Created:** [July 3, 2018, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332 "2018-07-03T21:29:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SteveSnyder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SteveSnyder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveSnyder)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/1 "2018-07-03T21:29:04Z")
Ray, The 2019 VW Jetta comes with at mobility set instead of a spare tire i.e.,a can of goop and a air compressor. The user complicated instructions and warnings in the Owners Manual, pages 353-356 seem to make the use of this device questionable and dangerous; i.e. vs. the compact spare tire. I seriously question whether the average driver, who has not read these instructions prior to have a flat tire out in the boonies, could safely use this device. What do you think? Steve ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/2 "2018-07-03T21:35:17Z")
I think you should not put your personal info on a forum. That said, the tiny minority of folks that get a flat on’t change it nor use the inflate-a-flat sold with the car, they will cell phone a flatbed to come pick it up and take it to a tire store. ---
**Author:** ![pyrolord314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@pyrolord314](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pyrolord314)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/3 "2018-07-03T21:35:50Z")
Ray doesn’t post here, doesn’t stop the rest of us from responding, though! The main reason cars come with mobility sets as opposed to a compact spare is due to weight. Less weight=slightly higher mpg. Frankly, I prefer a real spare too. Fix-a-flat makes a mess, and it doesn’t work at all if there’s any sidewall damage. FYI I would remove your real name and location from an open forum too ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/4 "2018-07-03T21:37:31Z")
@cdaquila … Carolyn, do you want to edit this persons full name and address ? ---
**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/5 "2018-07-04T14:18:08Z")
I too prefer a full size spare, but then I always change my own flats. Yosemite ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/6 "2018-07-04T14:49:14Z")
Compared to the hazards involved in using a jack on the side of the road, the time involved exposed to traffic, the number of things that can go wrong in removing and storing a heavy tire and reinstalling a lighter one… the goop and pump may embody less exposure to catastrophe. The cell phone and car insurance policies have made call-a-wrecker the better way for most drivers in most situations. As an avid DIYer still physically able to do the job, I have put on a spare tire twice in the last decade, and a couple times years ago in Montana, but most drivers would not do it these days, and they are safer for it. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/7 "2018-07-04T14:57:59Z")
> [@pyrolord314](#): > > Fix-a-flat makes a mess [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/b/abbae4a6ae5c91a3239f995fb908c7760abcf2d6.jpeg "Fix-A-Flat Truck U.mov") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3CMZ9CNOUI) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/8 "2018-07-04T15:28:49Z")
A number of Hyundai models now come without spares. They offer a spare and jack for about $300 or so I believe. I would never leave home without a spare of some sort; both our Mazda and Toyota have compact spares with decent jacks. If I lived in a remote area, I would only settle for a full size spare. Many Alaska residents have 2 spares. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-volkswagen-jetta-compact-spares-safe-for-the-average-driver/120332/9 "2018-07-04T16:40:49Z")
my recently purchased used ford car came with a gm jack which does not fit in my spare tire well. yes the manual says this and i confirm it does not fit. i got another gm car this week and dang if i found out the jack is missing. and the gm jack is the correct one. who knew the odds? yes i did find a ford jack. life is like that.