What Is a Roadside Tire Change?
A roadside tire change is swapping a flat or damaged tire for your spare, right where you stopped. We bring a floor jack, impact tools and safety lights. We loosen the lugs, lift the car, mount the spare and tighten the lugs to the right torque.
Then you drive to a tire shop to repair or replace the flat. Most compact spares are rated for about 50 miles at 50 mph, so plan to get the tire fixed soon.
Signs You Need a Tire Change
- A tire is flat or almost flat
- A tire blew out and the tread is torn
- The tire pressure light is on and the car pulls to one side
- You hear flapping or thumping from a wheel
- You do not have the tools or strength to change it
- You are on a busy road and it is not safe to change it yourself
Flat Tire Change Options
If you have no spare, the spare is flat, or the wheel is damaged, we tow your car with Flatbed Towing. Many EVs and new cars come with no spare at all. See EV Towing. If the flat came from a crash, see Accident Towing. On a busy highway, the call is handled as Emergency Towing. Motorcycle flats go through Motorcycle Towing.
Flat Tires on North Texas Roads
Construction is everywhere in North Texas, and nails, screws and metal scraps end up on the road. Fast-growing areas near Princeton and along US-380 see a lot of this. Potholes after freezes and heavy rain also damage tires and rims.
Summer heat raises tire pressure and wears weak tires faster. Blowouts on hot pavement are common in July and August, especially on older or under-inflated tires.
What to Expect When We Arrive
- The driver parks to shield your car from traffic and sets out lights.
- We check that your spare has air and the wheel is not damaged.
- We jack up the car at the right lift point.
- We remove the flat, mount the spare and torque the lug nuts.
- We put the flat in your trunk and check the spare's pressure.
What to Do While You Wait
- Pull as far off the road as you can. A flat rim is cheaper than a crash.
- Turn on hazard lights and set the parking brake.
- Find your wheel lock key if your car has locking lug nuts.
- Tell dispatch your tire size if you know it, and whether you have a spare.
Flat Tire Change Cost
A tire change costs less than a tow. The price depends on location and time of day. If we need to tow the car, we quote that before we hook up. Many insurance and warranty plans cover tire changes.
Who Calls for Tire Changes
Commuters on LBJ, I-30 and US-380. Parents with kids in the car. Older drivers who should not lift a heavy wheel. Anyone with locking lug nuts that will not budge.
Why Drivers Choose Towvana for Flat Tires
We bring pro tools that make quick work of stuck lug nuts. We park to protect you from traffic. With eight locations in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Richardson, Irving, Garland and Princeton, help can reach you sooner. And if a spare will not work, the same truck can tow you.