This needs to be stopped
 

ALL CARS NEED TO HAVE REGULAR SPARE TIRE
We had an "incident" last Saturday. Flat tire on I95 left lane 70+ mph, in North Carolina at 3PM. Called AAA they sent a "mechanic" to change the wheel, unfortunately he didn't "know" that the SPECIAL LUG NUTS WERE TO BE USED FOR THE DOUGHNUT, so he used the regular bolts AND STRIPPED THEM,....to make a long story short flatbed to Mercedes service, closed just before we get there, Monday, they don't have all the parts needed...Tuesday 5:30 car is finally finished $950 later + 3 nights motel +3 days car rental + Home Tuesday instead of Sunday....
So my next vehicle WILL HAVE A FULL SIZE SPARE AND TIRE OR I WILL NOT BUY IT ...!!!

There are circumstances that preclude changing a tire in 98 degree heat, 1 disabled veteran
2 75 yearsold
3 danger of being run down by drivers not paying attention 5 feet off the shoulder of an interstate, running 70 -80 mph
And as far as using the wrong bolts...you would think that someone HIRED to do service would be TRAINED TO do that.

Hats off to you if you do your own brake and suspension work, you have a TRAINED SERVICE PERSON IE: MECHANIC DO IT.

Our next car will be KEEPING THE CURRENT ONES and buying full sized spare tires and wheels for them....(they do fit in the trunk, otherwise what would you do with the wheel that is flat...leave it on the roadside??)
There is no excuse for not providing a full sized wheel on a $60,000 car, I WILL NOT DO THAT AGAIN.
END OF STORY....