Flat Tire Change in Gilbert, AZ
Flat tires are one of those things that happen to everyone eventually. You hit a nail on Gilbert Road. You clip a curb pulling into a parking spot near Dana Park. A piece of road debris on the Loop 202 Santan takes a chunk out of your sidewall. Suddenly you’re pulled over with your hazards on, staring at a deflated tire and wondering if you even have a spare — let alone the tools and know-how to change it safely on the side of the road.
Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing provides flat tire change service across Gilbert and the East Valley, 24/7. Our technicians come to your location, remove the flat, mount your spare tire, and get you rolling again. If you don’t have a spare (a lot of newer cars don’t), or if the spare isn’t in usable condition, we’ll tow your vehicle to our shop or the nearest tire shop. And because Thompson’s is a full-service auto repair shop in addition to a towing company, we can handle tire replacement, alignment checks, and any related repairs all in one stop.
Why Choose Thompson’s for Flat Tire Service
Changing a tire sounds simple in theory. In practice? You’re on the shoulder of a busy road with cars blasting past you. The jack that came with your car is flimsy and positioned on uneven ground. The lug nuts haven’t been off since the last tire rotation and they’re torqued way too tight. It’s 105°F in direct sunlight. This is not the time for DIY.
Thompson’s technicians change tires every day. They carry commercial-grade jacks, breaker bars, and torque wrenches — equipment that actually works, unlike the bargain-bin jack buried under your trunk liner. They know how to safely lift a vehicle on soft shoulders, sloped pavement, and gravel. And they do it fast because they’ve done it thousands of times before.
Bryan Vivian has been running Thompson’s in Gilbert for over 30 years, and flat tire calls have always been one of our most common services. He built the company on the principle that you should be able to call one number and have your entire vehicle problem handled — roadside tire change, tow if needed, tire replacement and alignment at our shop. That end-to-end approach saves you time, money, and the headache of coordinating with multiple companies.
How Flat Tire Change Service Works
Call Thompson’s at 480-418-9206. Tell us where you are and whether you have a spare tire. If you’re not sure, don’t worry — our tech will check when they arrive.
We dispatch a technician. Typical response time within Gilbert is 20-30 minutes. If you’re on a highway shoulder or in a dangerous spot, let us know so we can prioritize.
Our tech inspects the situation. We check the flat to see what caused it, then check your spare to make sure it’s inflated and safe to drive on. If the spare is good, we swap it on using proper equipment and torque the lug nuts to manufacturer specs.
You drive to our shop (or we tow you). A spare tire is a temporary solution — most are rated for 50 miles at 50 mph. We recommend getting a proper replacement as soon as possible. Thompson’s auto repair shop can mount new tires, check your alignment, and make sure the flat didn’t cause any other damage.
No spare? No problem. If you don’t have a usable spare, we’ll tow your vehicle. Many newer cars come with tire repair kits instead of spare tires. If the puncture is repairable, our shop can patch and remount your original tire. If it’s not, we’ll help you get a new one.
When You Need Flat Tire Service
- Puncture from road debris — Nails, screws, metal fragments, and broken glass are everywhere on Gilbert roads, especially near construction areas
- Blowout on the highway — Sudden tire failure at speed is dangerous. Pull over safely, stay in your vehicle, and call us immediately.
- Sidewall damage — Hit a pothole or curb? Sidewall damage can’t be patched and the tire needs to be replaced
- Slow leak that finally went flat — That tire you’ve been airing up every few days finally gave up in a parking lot
- Don’t have the tools or strength — Not everyone can break loose over-torqued lug nuts or safely operate a jack on uneven ground. That’s what we’re here for.
- Unsafe location — Changing a tire on the shoulder of the Loop 202 or US 60 during traffic is genuinely dangerous. Let a professional with proper safety equipment handle it.
Why Newer Cars Don’t Have Spare Tires
If you drive a car made in the last 10 years, there’s a decent chance it didn’t come with a spare tire. Manufacturers cut them to save weight and trunk space, replacing them with tire inflation kits or run-flat tires. The problem? Inflation kits only work on small punctures, and run-flats still need to be replaced after going flat. When the tire damage is beyond what those solutions can handle, you need a tow. Thompson’s handles this situation regularly — it’s nothing new to us.
Service Areas
Thompson’s flat tire change service covers:
- Gilbert: Power Ranch, Agritopia, Val Vista Lakes, Morrison Ranch, Seville, San Tan Village area, Heritage District, and all neighborhoods
- Major roads: Gilbert Road, Val Vista Drive, Higley Road, Power Road, Baseline, Guadalupe, Ray Road, Elliot Road
- Highways: Loop 202 Santan Freeway, US 60 Superstition Freeway, Loop 101 Price Freeway
- Nearby cities: Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Tempe, Scottsdale, east Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you repair my tire on the spot?
We don’t do full tire repairs roadside — that requires mounting equipment and a proper inspection that we do at our shop. What we do on the spot is swap your flat for the spare so you can drive. If you bring the car to our shop, we can often patch and remount the original tire if the damage is repairable.
What if I don’t have a spare tire?
We’ll tow your vehicle. No extra phone calls needed — we’ve already got the truck. Your car goes to our shop or the tire shop of your choice. A lot of newer cars don’t come with spares, so this is a situation we handle constantly.
How long can I drive on a spare tire?
Most compact spares (the small “donut” tires) are rated for about 50 miles at no more than 50 mph. Full-size spares can go longer but should still be temporary. Get a proper replacement as soon as you can — driving on a spare for extended periods is risky and can damage other components.
How much does roadside tire change cost?
We’ll give you the price when you call, before we dispatch. It’s a flat rate (no pun intended) for the service call and tire swap. Straightforward, no hidden fees.
Can you bring a new tire to me?
Generally, no — mounting a tire properly requires shop equipment. But we can get you to our shop quickly where we’ll have you sorted out with a new tire, properly mounted and balanced.
Flat Tire? Call Thompson’s.
Don’t risk changing a tire on a busy road in the Arizona heat. Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing has been helping Gilbert drivers with flat tires for over 30 years. We’ll swap your spare, and if you need a new tire, our shop will handle that too.
Call 480-418-9206 for flat tire service. Available 24/7 in Gilbert and the East Valley.