Two Paths: Spare-On or Tow to the Tire Bay
Spare-on at the roadside
We remove the flat and mount your good spare. Works when you have a spare that holds air and the wheel is not badly damaged. Compact spares have speed and distance limits listed on the sidewall, so plan to repair the real tire soon.
Tow to our tire bay
The better choice when there is no spare, the spare is flat, the wheel is bent, the sidewall is cut or the tire has been driven on while flat. We repair or replace the tire at the shop.
Dispatch will ask a few questions to help you choose. Tell us what the tire looks like and whether you drove on it.
What We Check Before Mounting Your Spare
- The spare’s air pressure, since spares lose air while stored for years.
- The spare’s size and type, whether it is full-size or a compact temporary.
- Whether the lug nuts and wheel lock key are available and fit.
- Whether the flat tire damaged the wheel, brake line or suspension when it failed.
- Whether the car is on a firm, flat spot to lift.
Many cars now ship without a spare. In that case the car carries an inflator kit, and that kit will not fix a cut sidewall or a large puncture. A tow to the tire bay is the safe answer.
When to Repair, When to Replace
A small puncture in the tread area can often be repaired. A cut in the sidewall cannot. A tire driven flat for any distance is often damaged inside even if it looks fine outside. Our guide to plugging, patching or replacing a tire explains the rules in plain English. Once you are at the shop, a technician inspects the tire off the rim and tells you honestly which way to go.
If you need a new tire, we stock used and new options in common sizes. See the tire center for what to expect and how mounting and balancing are priced.
Tire Trouble on the Interstate
A tire failure at highway speed leaves cars on narrow shoulders with traffic going 70 mph. Changing a tire there is dangerous. If you are on I-90, our drivers use the truck as a barrier and warning lights. You are safer waiting in the car than trying to do it yourself. Read the I-90 breakdown guide before you need it.
What It Costs
| Item | How we price it |
|---|---|
| Spare tire change at the roadside | Flat service call rate, quoted on the call |
| Tow to our tire bay | Quoted upfront by phone |
| Tire mounting and balancing | From $15–$25 / tire |
| Plug, patch or replacement | Priced at the counter after inspection |
The tire price range applies to mounting and balancing. The tire itself is priced separately.
Details verified October 2026. Final numbers are always confirmed by phone before a truck rolls.
Questions Dispatch Will Ask About the Tire
- Which wheel is flat, and is there visible damage on the sidewall?
- Did you drive on it flat, and for how far?
- Do you have a spare, and is it full-size or a compact?
- Do you have the lug wrench and, if needed, the wheel lock key?
- The tire size printed on the sidewall if you can read it
“Drivers often keep going on a flat for just another block to get off the road. That block can destroy a tire that would have been repairable. Pull over, call us and we handle the rest.”
Dispatch Manager, Logan Automotive & Tire
Last updated: October 29, 2026