Did you know that more than 11,000 automobile accidents occur every year due to bad tires? Tires are one of the most crucial parts of your vehicle operating safely. Mobile tire repair can help you keep your tires operating safely and properly.
If you’re curious about mobile tire repair services, we’re here to help. Read on for a brief overview of these services and how to pick the best company.
What Is a Mobile Tire Repair Service?
A mobile tire repair service is a company that comes to you when it’s time to change your tires. In most cases, you need to find an automobile mechanic to have your tires changed.
Shopping around for a tire change can prove difficult and take up your time. Going to a dealership is expensive but can keep your warranty intact. You also run the risk of shady mechanics that don’t do a good job or try to scam you.
Additionally, you often have to leave your vehicle with these repair services. If you only have one vehicle, this can cause massive disruptions to your week.
A mobile tire repair service is easily scheduled ahead of time. The extra time gives you a cushion to make arrangements for your day.
Mobile tire repair services will also come to your location. You’ll need to ensure you have somewhere safe for them to work, such as a clean driveway. Others offer emergency services where you can have the work done wherever the emergency occurs.
What a Mobile Tire Repair Service Entails
We know what a mobile tire repair service is, but what can you get from the service? Here are some of the main benefits of a mobile repair service.
On-Rim Tire Changes
A tire service’s main feature is to change your tires for you. You’ll need other tires, such as your spare tire after getting a flat.
If you need an entire set changed, you’ll need to have the set. Some tire services carry tire brands that you can buy for replacement. Others will require you to purchase your tires separately before they come to change them.
For most tire services, these tires must be on-rim. If your tires aren’t already on the rim, a tire service may not change them for you. Check the specific services that your chosen mobile tire company offers to see their policy.
Secondary Services
Many companies will also offer secondary testing services. While some companies are only able to change your tires, others have a more thorough service.
Checking your battery is a common secondary service. Others may assist with tire-related components, such as:
- Brake pads
- Wheel studs, seals, and bearings
- Hub caps
- Mudflaps
- Shocks and springs
- Hoses
The best tire repair services will do more than repair your tires. Make sure you’re aware of everything a company offers before you do business with them!
Tire Repair
Finally, tire repair is one of the core features of a mobile tire repair service. There’s more to repairing your tire than changing them off for a fresh set!
Many companies will offer temporary repairs to your tires. In the case of an emergency, a tire patch job can help you get somewhere safer. You can use temporary repairs to get off of the side of the highway and to a repair shop.
Others will offer more in-depth repairs. However, keep in mind that lengthy repairs aren’t always possible in a mobile or emergency setting.
You should look into what repairs your chosen company will offer. Doing so can stop you from being caught off guard if the company doesn’t offer what you need.
What to Look for in a Mobile Tire Repair Service
Now that we understand what services a mobile tire repair service offers, how can you differentiate companies? Is there anything that makes one company change tires better than the other?
Several factors should help you make your decision. Here are some of the most important things to look at when looking for mobile tire repair services.
Services Available
The first thing you should look at is what services the company offers. Making sure you understand the services a company is offering will help you understand when they’re useful.
For example, not all tire repair companies offer emergency services. Instead, some companies will only provide services in scheduled areas.
You may think you have emergency support if you aren’t aware of this factor. There’s nothing worse than finding out you’re missing this feature while in the middle of an emergency.
You should also look at what secondary services the company you’re interested in offers. Understanding their full suite of services will help you know when to call beyond a simple tire issue.
Take note of everything your service offers and compare it with its competitors. Knowing the offered services is the first step to choosing your company.
Range of Operation
Another important factor is the range of operations that your company offers. A mobile tire repair service will come to you, but they often have a radius where they can work.
If you’re not within range, they won’t offer their services to you. During the stressful situation of needing your tires repaired, finding out your company won’t come to you is aggravating.
Check the range that your chosen company will operate in. If you aren’t certain, ask them how far out they’re willing to send technicians.
You should also consider how many facilities the company has. For example, the automotive company AAA offers vehicle assistance across the nation.
However, AAA also suffers from several “dry spots.” These are areas where they don’t have facilities and need to rely on local third-party contracted technicians. If none of these technicians are available, you won’t have any assistance.
Make sure you understand your company’s range of operations. Once you’re certain you’re within their borders, you can make a more informed choice.
Vehicle Compatibility
A crucial thing to look into is whether the company will service your vehicle. Many repair services will offer their services to one sort of vehicle.
It’s common for repair services to only serve “standard” vehicles. These include your typical daily drivers and non-commercial vehicles. Some small trucks are also included.
Larger vehicles, such as vans, commercial trucks, and 18-wheelers, take special equipment. You’ll need to ensure that the company you’re looking for can service your vehicle. If a company can’t service your vehicle, you’re out of luck with tire repairs.
Keating & Sons is happy to service commercial truck tires. We carry brands from across the world, including Yokohama, Firestone, Goodyear, Hankook, Cooper, Michelin, and more.
Price of Service
Understanding the price of the service ahead of time is also crucial. Some tire repair services will have you pay an annual fee to retain your services. Automotive insurance companies are the most common companies to do this.
Others will have you pay for the tire repair on a by-use basis. Most companies will have you pay after the repair is complete. Paying afterward stops you from paying for a service you felt was lackluster.
Compare the companies’ prices in your area and see how they compete. You should also weigh the services, emergency operation hours, and range of operations with this factor.
A company that serves a wider area with more diverse service options will often cost more. Conversely, cheaper options often have a stripped-back set of services in a smaller area. Compare which factors are most important to you before you make your choice.
Hours of Operation
The hours of operation for a tire repair service are crucial. Knowing when you can have your tires repaired is vital.
For example, some services don’t offer any emergency services. They may instead give hours of operation that are standard to other businesses.
If a company only offers repairs from the typical morning to early evening, you may struggle to schedule a good time. If you work a 9-5 occupation, you may need to wait for the weekend.
Others may not function on the weekend. Make sure you know when you can use a service before you reach out to them. Finding out they’re unavailable when you need them most often makes a stressful situation worse.
Scheduling
For non-emergency services, companies will often require a scheduled appointment. You should look into a company’s scheduling protocol when picking the best tire repair services.
Some companies will require a 24-hour notice before your appointment. Others may be able to squeeze you in at a moment’s notice.
If you have the chance to talk to a representative, inquire about what their scheduling method is. Emergency services aren’t scheduled by nature of being an emergency, so you won’t need to worry about this for scheduling. Instead, look at their hours of operation for emergency services.
Emergency Services
Speaking of emergency services, tire repair is often a pressing matter. You should make sure your mobile tire repair company offers emergency services.
Emergency services also include roadside services. If your tire pops while you’re driving, roadside services can help you get your vehicle running properly again.
Other emergency services may include a battery change or jumping your vehicle. Replacing or repairing hoses or mudflaps are also available for some companies. Look into what emergency services the company provides so you know what emergencies are covered.
Keating & Sons offers emergency 24/7 services. Any time you need our road service, we’re happy to make ourselves available. People depend on your commercial vehicle to reach its destination, so you can depend on us.
Reputable Company
Finally, you should look into how reputable a company is before you sign on with them. Look into customer testimonies or online customer reviews to see the company’s reputation.
See if customers are endorsing them for having a reliable service. You should also check if they live up to the services they’re meant to provide.
Do they have a habit of not doing a good job on repairs? Are customers bothered by how few emergency services they offer? How is their reliability in answering calls when a customer needs them?
You should research the company as thoroughly as possible. You’re counting on them in case of emergency, so knowing you can count on them is crucial.
What Makes a Company Reputable?
Another important factor is whether they’re able to fit people into their scheduling. Look into how long the wait often is for non-emergency repairs. If customers often have issues getting their maintenance scheduled, you may want to look elsewhere.
Many other factors go into whether a company is reputable. You should compare the company with its competitors and see which has a better reputation.
Finding reputations is as easy as looking into online reviews and testimonies. You can visit a company’s website to see what testimonies they display on their site.
However, a company will only display positive testimonies on its website. Because of this factor, you should look into third-party reviews as well. Bodies that aren’t associated with the company, such as independent contractors, are also good sources.
Make sure you do your research! There’s nothing worse than relying on a company during a time of crisis only for them to let you down.
Finding the Perfect Mobile Tire Repair Service
Picking the right mobile tire repair company is vital to knowing you’re safe in an emergency. Compare companies based on what they offer in terms of both emergency and non-emergency services. Check the prices against local competition and ensure they offer the services you need at the hours you’d need them.
For more information on picking emergency services, be sure to contact us! You can also browse our informative blog to learn more.
