On this page
- What is the difference between a tow truck and a mobile tyre fitter?
- When is a mobile tyre fitter enough?
- When do you need a tow truck instead?
- Comparison table: who to call
- What changes on the motorway or ring road?
- What information should you give on the phone to make the right choice?
- Flat tyre in Milan: how SOS Tyre helps
- Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a tow truck and a mobile tyre fitter?
A tow truck takes the vehicle away; a mobile tyre fitter fixes the tyre problem where the vehicle is. They are two different services, designed for different situations.
- Tow truck: loads or tows the car and takes it to a garage, home or an agreed location. You then still have to get the tyre repaired.
- Mobile tyre fitter: arrives with the equipment to work on the tyre in the street, in a garage or in a car park. If the damage allows, the repair is done on the spot; otherwise a wheel change using the spare wheel or space-saver is considered.
When is a mobile tyre fitter enough?
A mobile tyre fitter is enough when the problem is limited to the tyre and the vehicle can set off normally again once the tyre is sorted. These are the most common cases:
- a puncture from a nail or screw in the tread;
- a tyre slowly losing air;
- a completely flat tyre, with a spare wheel or space-saver on board;
- seized wheel bolts or no tools to change the wheel yourself;
- a car stuck in a garage or car park that a tow truck would struggle to get into.
When do you need a tow truck instead?
You need a tow truck when the car cannot be driven safely again on the spot, even after the tyre has been sorted.
- after an accident or a hard impact involving the suspension, steering or wheel rim;
- with a mechanical or electrical fault unrelated to the tyres;
- when several tyres are damaged and there is no way to replace them there;
- when the wheel rim is cracked or badly bent and there is no usable spare wheel.
Comparison table: who to call
| Situation | Usually the better option |
|---|---|
| Nail or screw in the tread | Mobile tyre fitter |
| Flat tyre, spare wheel or space-saver on board | Mobile tyre fitter |
| Blowout, sidewall destroyed | Mobile tyre fitter if there is a wheel to fit; otherwise assess |
| Impact with damaged suspension or steering | Tow truck |
| Engine will not start, mechanical fault | Tow truck |
| Car in an underground garage with a flat tyre | Mobile tyre fitter |
The table is only a guide: the final choice depends on what you can see on the tyre and where you are.
What changes on the motorway or ring road?
On the motorway or the ring road, safety comes first: get behind the crash barrier and use the road operator's emergency channels, or call 112 if there is danger. On these roads, assistance may follow specific rules set by the operator.
You will find detailed advice in the guide on a flat tyre on the motorway or ring road.
What information should you give on the phone to make the right choice?
To work out whether a mobile tyre fitter is enough, a few precise details are needed:
- where you are (street, house number, landmark or GPS location);
- what vehicle you have (car, SUV, van, motorbike, electric car);
- what you can see: a nail, a cut, a bulge, a flat tyre, a damaged rim;
- the tyre size printed on the sidewall;
- whether you have a spare wheel, a space-saver or just the repair kit.
A photo of the tyre helps a great deal in deciding in advance what is needed.
Flat tyre in Milan: how SOS Tyre helps
If the problem is the tyre, SOS Tyre comes out 24/7 across Milan and its province, in 30 minutes on average, to wherever the vehicle is: we get you back on the road in no time, with no towing when it is not needed. Call +39 377 326 0999 or send a request for assistance: on the phone we will tell you straight away when we will arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Can a mobile tyre fitter repair the tyre without moving the car?
Yes, when the damage is a small hole in the tread and the tyre has not been driven on flat for long. The technician removes and inspects the tyre on the spot. If a repair is not possible, fitting the spare wheel or space-saver is considered.
If I call a tow truck for a puncture, what happens next?
The tow truck takes the vehicle to an agreed location, but the tyre still has to be repaired or replaced. For a simple puncture, that means two steps instead of one. It makes sense when, besides the tyre, there is other damage that stops you setting off again.
Can a mobile tyre fitter work in a residential garage?
Generally yes, if there is enough space around the wheel and the floor is level. In fact it is one of the situations where a mobile tyre fitter is most practical, because a tow truck cannot get into many underground garages due to height or manoeuvring limits.
How can I tell if something other than the tyre is damaged?
Look out for crooked steering, a wheel leaning at an odd angle, metallic noises or fluid leaks after an impact. These are signs the damage may involve the suspension or steering. In that case do not drive off: describe the situation on the phone and consider a tow truck.