If you’ve ever been stuck with a flat tire on the side of the road or in the middle of your commute, you know how frustrating it can be. Mobile tire shops can get you back on the road in no time. These companies provide a range of tire services in your driveway, at the office, or wherever you’re parked. They’ll take care of mounting, balancing, TPMS setting, and more. They can even replace your tires with new ones if you want to switch out your old ones for something different.
These guys aren’t your grandpa’s Mobile Tire Shop, though. They have a specialized set of tools that enable them to quickly and efficiently change your tires, often without even leaving their van. Using a special machine, they mount and dismount the tire from the wheel with minimal contact with the rim, protecting it against scratches, marks, and other damage. They also have a high-speed balancing machine that spins the tire and wheels and applies little quarter-ounce weights in exactly the right places to balance the wheel and tire combination. Until recently, these expensive pieces of equipment had to be mounted on a solid floor and couldn’t be fitted inside a van.
This is a whole new world for people who buy tires online and need them installed. When you order through a retailer like Tire Rack, you can choose a local installer to handle the installation for you. They’ll show up first in the search results when you type in your address, and you can click their name to read reviews from other customers.
The installer will come to your location with their own tools and a tire changing machine, so you don’t need to worry about renting one or borrowing a friend’s. All you have to do is make sure there’s plenty of space for their van and a good place to park your car. The best place to do this is in a lot near your work or your home, so you’ll always have easy access to it.
When they’re done, they’ll call you and let you know that your car is ready for pickup. Then you can drive home or to the office, sit in your favorite chair, and sip coffee — or maybe watch Price is Right while playing Solitaire on your computer. It’s almost too good to be true, but it works. You’ll save a day of your life that you would have spent at the tire store. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about getting stranded with a flat tire again.