A flat tire change in Boston means putting your spare on in place of the flat, which works only if the spare holds air and the wheel is not bent. If it doesn't, the car needs a tow instead. Local tow quotes typically run $50–$125. Call Boston Towing Service to find out which applies.
Most people who call about a flat want to know one thing: can the tire be swapped here, or does the car have to be moved? The spare decides it. If you can see a spare, it's inflated, and the flat tire's wheel is not bent, a swap on the spot is the usual answer.
Boston Towing Service dispatches from 9 New Washington St in Somerville and covers 22 service areas, and the shop runs Mon–Fri Open 24 hours, closed Sat–Sun. Call before you do anything else on the shoulder, and have the car's location ready.
When is a spare swap not enough?
A spare can't fix a bent wheel, a sidewall torn open, or a car sitting on its rim after being driven flat. Check the spare as well. Many compact spares sit unchecked for years and are soft by the time they're needed.
If the car came to rest on the rim, don't try to drive it to a safer spot. Driving on a rim can ruin the wheel and make a cheap repair expensive.
- Spare is flat, missing, or a different bolt pattern than the car
- Wheel is bent or cracked
- Two tires are flat at once
- The car is in a spot where jacking it up isn't safe, such as a soft shoulder or a slope
What does it cost if the car has to be towed instead?
Published figures from local providers for a basic tow near Boston typically run $50–$125, and the amount depends on distance and the type of vehicle. Those are market numbers, not a quote from Boston Towing Service. Ask for the price for your car and location before you book, and ask whether the quote covers the full trip.
What should I do while I wait?
Get the car as far off the travel lane as it safely goes, turn on the hazards, and keep everyone out of the car's blind side. Don't jack the car up on a slope. Write down your cross street or the nearest landmark so the dispatcher can find you. If the weather turns to snow, move people somewhere safe, away from traffic.
Do tow trucks change tires?
A tow operator can swap on a working spare when the car is safe to lift. If the spare is flat or the wheel is damaged, the car needs a tow to a tire shop. Call Boston Towing Service and describe what you see so the right truck is sent.
Can I drive on a flat tire to a safer spot?
Only a few feet, and only if you must leave a travel lane. Driving further on a flat can destroy the tire and bend the wheel, which turns a swap into a tow.
How much is a tow if my spare won't work?
Local providers typically publish $50–$125 for a basic tow near Boston. That's the market range, not a price for your car; ask Boston Towing Service for a quote based on your location.