Signs you need mobile tire and wheel service
- Tire pressure warning light on or flashing
- A tire that keeps losing air every few days
- Nail, screw or other object stuck in the tread
- Bulge or bubble on the sidewall
- Steering wheel shakes at highway speed
- Uneven wear on the inside or outside edge
- Cracks in the sidewall or between the tread blocks
- Hissing sound or a visibly low tire after parking
- Trailer or RV tires that look fine but are several years old
If a tire is flat, badly bulged or shredding, do not keep driving on it: pull over somewhere safe and away from traffic. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack, and let the tech handle lifting heavy RVs and loaded trailers with properly rated equipment.
Common causes
Tread punctureNails and screws are the most common cause of slow leaks. A puncture in the main tread area can often be repaired properly from the inside with a plug and patch.
Sidewall damageCurb strikes, pothole impacts and running a tire very low can damage the sidewall. Sidewall damage is not considered repairable, so the tire needs to be replaced.
Valve stem or TPMS sensor leakRubber valve stems crack with age, and sensor stems can corrode or lose their seal. Air escapes from the stem instead of the tire.
Bead or wheel leakCorrosion where the tire seats on the rim, or a bent wheel, can let air seep out slowly. The bead may need cleaning and resealing, or the wheel may need attention.
Age and dry rotRubber breaks down with sun and time even when tread looks deep. This is especially common on RVs and trailers that sit for long stretches.
Alignment or suspension issuesWear on one edge of a tire usually points to alignment, worn suspension parts or, on trailers, a bent axle. Replacing the tire alone will not stop it.
Underinflation or overloadingRunning below the recommended pressure or above the load rating builds heat and can lead to sudden failure. This is a frequent cause of blowouts on trailers and motorhomes.
What gets done where it's parked, and what needs a shop
Usually done on site
- Mounting the spare or a replacement wheel
- Inspecting a flat and repairing a tread puncture when it is in the repairable area
- Replacing valve stems and checking or relearning tire pressure sensors
- Mounting and balancing new tires if the tech carries a tire machine and balancer
- Tire rotation and a lug nut torque check
- Checking pressures, tread depth and date codes on every tire, including the spare
- Swapping RV or trailer tires when the tech has jacking equipment rated for the weight
May need a shop or lift
- Wheel alignment, which needs an alignment rack
- Bent or cracked wheels that need straightening or replacement sourcing
- Very large commercial tires if the tech does not carry equipment for them
- Vehicles parked on soft ground or a steep slope where it is not safe to lift
- Uneven wear caused by suspension or axle damage that needs a larger repair
Every mechanic's setup is different. The one who accepts your request will tell you if your job needs a shop.
Before the mechanic arrives
- Park on flat, firm pavement with room to work around the tire
- Take a photo of the tire sidewall showing the size and the date code if you can
- Locate the wheel lock key if your lug nuts use one
- Let the tech know if you have a spare and where it is stored
- For an RV or trailer, note whether it is hitched and roughly how loaded it is
Photos of warning lights, leaks or damage help the mechanic bring the right parts. You can add up to five with your request.
Questions to ask when you get a quote
- Can you mount and balance tires on site, or only repair and swap?
- Is this puncture in the repairable area, and will you repair it from the inside?
- Are you supplying the tires, or should I buy them and have them ready?
- Will you check and relearn the tire pressure sensors after the work?
- Does the wear pattern suggest I also need an alignment or suspension check?
- Will you torque the lug nuts to spec, and should I recheck them later?
Trackara never handles payment for the work. You agree the price with the mechanic before they start, and you pay them directly. How to read a repair quote.
Vehicles this applies to
Mobile tire and wheel service: questions and answers
Often, yes. If the puncture is in the tread and not near the shoulder or sidewall, many techs can repair it on site, or they can mount your spare. Tell them where the damage is and include a photo so they come prepared.
Some can. Installing new tires needs a tire machine and a wheel balancer, and not every mobile tech carries them. Ask when you request a quote, and confirm who is supplying the tires.
Tires age from sun, heat and sitting in one spot, and rubber can crack from the inside out before the tread wears down. Underinflation and overloading add heat and stress. Have the date codes and sidewalls checked, and see the RV pre-trip checklist before a long trip.
A roadside plug is meant to get you somewhere, not to be a permanent repair. Have the tire taken off the wheel and inspected, because driving on a low tire can damage the inside where you cannot see it. A sidewall puncture should never be plugged.
Alignment generally needs a shop with an alignment rack. A mobile tech can spot the wear pattern that points to an alignment problem and tell you what to ask the shop for. For suspension parts that cause the wear, see suspension and steering repair.