Flat Tire? Here’s What to Do and Who to Call in London, ON
A flat tire never happens at a convenient time. Maybe you hit a pothole on Dundas Street, picked up a nail near White Oaks Mall, or walked out to your driveway in London, Ontario and found your tire completely deflated. Whatever the situation, knowing exactly what to do — and who to call for a tire change near me — can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. This guide covers everything: safety steps, costs, DIY vs. professional help, and how to get back on the road fast.
⚡ Quick Answer
Step 1: Pull over safely, turn on hazards, and stay inside if you are on a busy road. Step 2: If you have a spare and the tools, you can change it yourself. Step 3: If you cannot change it — or feel unsafe — call a professional flat tire roadside service immediately.
A professional tire change in London costs $75 – $125. London Towing arrives in under 30 minutes, 24/7 — call (519) 914-3677.
What to Do When You Get a Flat Tire (Step-by-Step)
Whether you are on the 401, parked at a grocery store, or rolling through a neighbourhood, here is exactly what to do the moment you realize you have a flat tire.
⚠️ Never drive on a flat tire. Even at low speeds, driving on a flat destroys the rim, damages the suspension, and can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Pull over and stop — it is always cheaper to pay for a tire change than to replace a bent rim or repair suspension damage.
Who to Call for a Flat Tire in London, Ontario
When you cannot change the tire yourself, you have several options. Here is a comparison so you can make the fastest, most affordable choice.
💡 Pro Tip: You do not need a CAA membership or any roadside plan to call London Towing. We help everyone — members or not — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just call (519) 914-3677 and we will be there.
Flat Tire Change Cost in London, Ontario
Wondering how much a flat tire change costs? Here is a full breakdown of what London drivers typically pay in 2026 for different tire-related services.
A professional roadside tire change is almost always cheaper than a tow to a shop. If you have a spare tire, calling for a roadside assistance swap is the fastest and most affordable option.
How to Change a Flat Tire Yourself (DIY Guide)
If you have a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench — and you are in a safe, flat location — you can change a flat tire in about 15 to 20 minutes. Here is how to do it properly.
What You Need
Your vehicle’s spare tire (check your trunk), jack, lug wrench, wheel wedges or bricks, and gloves. A flashlight is essential for nighttime changes. Most vehicles include a jack and wrench in a kit underneath the trunk floor mat.
Step-by-Step Tire Change
- Secure the vehicle. Park on a flat surface, engage the parking brake, and place wheel wedges behind the tires opposite the flat (rear tires if front is flat, and vice versa).
- Loosen the lug nuts. Use the lug wrench to turn each nut counterclockwise about half a turn. Do not remove them yet — just break them loose while the tire is still on the ground.
- Position the jack. Place the jack under the vehicle’s frame near the flat tire. Check your owner’s manual for the correct jack point. Lift until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground.
- Remove the flat tire. Fully unscrew the lug nuts, pull the tire straight toward you, and set it aside flat on the ground.
- Mount the spare. Lift the spare onto the hub bolts. Push gently until the bolts show through the rim holes. Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
- Lower the vehicle. Bring the jack down slowly until the spare touches the ground with some weight on it. Tighten the lug nuts fully in a star pattern using the wrench.
- Lower completely and final check. Remove the jack, give each lug nut a final tighten, and check the spare’s air pressure. Most compact spares are rated for a maximum of 80 km/h — drive to a tire shop as soon as possible.
⚠️ When NOT to change it yourself: Do not attempt a DIY tire change if you are on a highway shoulder with fast traffic, on a slope or soft ground, at night without visibility, or if you do not have a properly inflated spare. In these situations, stay in your vehicle and call (519) 914-3677 for professional flat tire roadside service.
DIY Tire Change vs. Calling a Professional
Both options work — but each has trade-offs. Here is a quick comparison to help you decide.
Option A
Do It Yourself
- ✅ Free (no service cost)
- ✅ Immediate if you know how
- ❌ Requires spare + tools
- ❌ Dangerous on busy roads
- ❌ Risk of improper installation
MOST COMMON
Call a Professional
- ✅ Safe — you stay in the car
- ✅ No tools or spare needed
- ✅ Arrives in ~30 minutes
- ✅ Professional torque on lug nuts
- 💰 $75 – $125 service fee
What If You Don’t Have a Spare Tire?
Many newer vehicles — especially hybrids and EVs — no longer include a spare tire. Instead, they come with a tire repair kit (sealant and inflator). If you have no spare and no repair kit, here are your options in London.
Option 1: Tire sealant kit. If the puncture is small (nail or screw in the tread), a sealant kit can temporarily seal the hole and re-inflate the tire. This buys you enough time to drive slowly to the nearest tire shop. Do not use sealant on sidewall damage or large gashes.
Option 2: Flatbed tow. If the tire is destroyed or unrepairable, your best option is a flatbed tow to a tire shop. London Towing can transport your vehicle safely without driving on the flat — protecting your rim from damage.
Option 3: Mobile tire repair. Some situations allow for an on-site patch or plug repair. Our technicians can assess the damage on the spot and determine if a mobile repair is possible before resorting to a tow.
Available 24/7 in London, Ontario
Flat Tire? We’ll Be There in 30 Minutes.
No membership required. No after-hours fees. Just fast, professional help.
(519) 914-3677
5 Most Common Causes of Flat Tires in London
Understanding why flat tires happen can help you prevent them. Here are the top causes we see from London drivers calling for roadside tire change help every week.
1. Potholes and Road Damage
London’s roads take a beating from freeze-thaw cycles, especially between November and April. Potholes along Richmond Street, Oxford Street, and Veterans Memorial Parkway are responsible for a significant number of flat tire calls. A hard pothole hit can puncture the tire or damage the sidewall instantly.
2. Nails, Screws, and Road Debris
Construction zones and newly developed areas scatter metal debris across the road. A single nail can cause a slow leak that goes unnoticed for days — then leaves you stranded with a completely flat tire in a parking lot.
3. Under-Inflated Tires
Running tires below the recommended PSI increases heat buildup, weakens the sidewall, and dramatically raises your risk of a blowout. Check your tire pressure monthly — especially as temperatures drop, since cold air reduces tire pressure by about 1 PSI for every 5°C drop. Transport Canada recommends monthly tire inspections as part of their vehicle safety guidelines.
4. Worn or Aging Tires
Tires older than 5 to 6 years — even if they look fine — become brittle and crack-prone. Worn tread depth reduces grip and makes the tire more vulnerable to punctures. Check the manufacture date on the sidewall (DOT code) and replace tires past their lifespan.
5. Valve Stem Leaks
A damaged or corroded valve stem can slowly leak air, resulting in a flat tire overnight. This is an easy and inexpensive fix at any tire shop — but if it catches you off guard, you may need roadside assistance to get to the shop.
How to Prevent Flat Tires: 6 Essential Tips
- Check tire pressure monthly. Use a digital gauge and inflate to the PSI listed on your driver’s door jamb sticker — not the number on the tire sidewall.
- Inspect tread depth regularly. Use the “quarter test” — insert a Canadian quarter into the tread. If you can see the caribou’s nose entirely, your tread is too low.
- Rotate your tires every 8,000 to 12,000 km. Even wear extends tire life and reduces the chance of a blowout on one tire.
- Avoid potholes and road debris. Slow down on rough London roads, especially in early spring when spring thaw creates the most potholes.
- Replace tires before they are worn out. Do not wait until the tread is bald. Tires with 3mm or less tread should be replaced — especially before Ontario’s winter season.
- Keep your spare tire inflated. A flat spare tire is useless in an emergency. Check its pressure every time you check your regular tires.
Flat Tire Help Across London & Surrounding Areas
London Towing provides fast flat tire change service across all London neighbourhoods and nearby communities. Whether you are stuck in Downtown London, Byron, Hyde Park, Old East Village, White Oaks, or Masonville, we dispatch the closest available truck for the fastest response time.
We also serve St. Thomas, Woodstock, Dorchester, Strathroy, Komoka, and surrounding areas. View our full service area map for complete coverage details.
Why Call London Towing for a Flat Tire?
🕐
30-Minute Response
GPS-dispatched to your exact location
🔧
All Vehicles Serviced
Cars, SUVs, trucks, vans — any size
💰
Flat Rate Pricing
No after-hours fees, no surprises
🚫
No Membership Needed
No CAA, no app — just call and we come
Whether you need a spare tire swap, emergency tire service, or a flatbed tow to a tire shop — London Towing handles it all. We also offer battery boosts, car unlocking, fuel delivery, and 24-hour towing across London and surrounding regions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Tires
Who should I call for a flat tire in London, Ontario?
Call London Towing at (519) 914-3677 for immediate flat tire assistance. Our technicians arrive in under 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No membership or roadside plan is required. We serve all of London and surrounding areas.
How much does a roadside tire change cost?
A professional roadside tire change in London typically costs $75 to $125. This includes a technician driving to your location, safely removing the flat, installing your spare, and checking the lug nut torque. There are no after-hours surcharges with London Towing.
Can I drive on a flat tire to get to a tire shop?
No. Driving on a flat tire — even at slow speeds — can permanently damage the rim, brake components, and suspension. It also makes the vehicle extremely difficult to steer and is dangerous for other drivers. Always stop and call for roadside help or a tow.
What happens if my car doesn’t have a spare tire?
If your vehicle has no spare tire, London Towing can tow your car on a flatbed to the nearest tire shop in London. Many newer cars come with a tire repair kit (sealant and inflator) instead of a spare — our technician can try this first to see if it is a temporary fix.
How fast can a tire change service get to me in London?
London Towing’s average response time is under 30 minutes across all London neighbourhoods. We use GPS dispatch to send the nearest available technician to your exact location. Response times may vary slightly during severe weather or peak hours.
Can a flat tire be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?
Small punctures in the tire tread (from nails or screws) can usually be patched or plugged at a tire shop for $25 to $50. However, sidewall damage, large gashes, or blowouts always require a full tire replacement. A technician can assess the damage on-site.
Do I need CAA or a membership for flat tire help?
No. London Towing provides flat tire change service to anyone in London, Ontario — no CAA membership, no app, no subscription required. Just call (519) 914-3677 and we will send a technician to your location immediately.
How long can you drive on a spare tire?
A compact or “donut” spare tire is designed for temporary use only — usually no more than 100 to 120 km at a maximum speed of 80 km/h. Drive directly to a tire shop to get a full-size replacement as soon as possible. Full-size spares can be used longer but should still be replaced.
Is it safe to change a flat tire on the highway?
Changing a tire on a highway shoulder is extremely dangerous due to high-speed traffic. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation advises drivers to stay in their vehicle and call for assistance when broken down on 400-series highways. If you get a flat tire on the 401 or any busy highway near London, pull as far onto the shoulder as possible, turn on your hazards, and call for professional roadside assistance. Stay inside the vehicle until help arrives.
What should I keep in my car for a flat tire emergency?
Every vehicle should carry a properly inflated spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, wheel wedges, gloves, and a flashlight. A portable air compressor and tire sealant kit are useful extras. Check out our winter emergency car kit checklist for a complete list of must-haves for London drivers.
24/7 Flat Tire Help in London, Ontario
Don’t Wait on the Roadside — We Come to You.
Fast tire change, flatbed towing, and emergency roadside assistance across London and surrounding areas.
(519) 914-3677