🔧 Quick Answer — Mobile Tire Repair in Ottawa
A professional mobile tire repair in Ottawa costs between $30 – $80 for a patch or plug, while a roadside spare tire swap runs $60 – $120. Full mobile seasonal tire changes (all four wheels) average $80 – $160. Technicians arrive at your location — home, office, or roadside — typically within 20–40 minutes. No need to visit a shop or arrange a tow.
📞 Call (613) 317-3924 for immediate roadside tire help.
A flat tire does not wait for a convenient moment. It happens on the 417 during rush hour, in a Kanata office parking lot at 7 AM, or in your Barrhaven driveway the morning after a freezing rain. Driving on a flat — even for a short distance — can destroy the tire, damage the rim, and put you in danger. The traditional solution is either changing it yourself (assuming you have a spare and the tools) or calling a tow truck and spending hours at a shop. But there is a faster, cheaper third option: mobile tire repair.
A mobile tire service sends a trained technician directly to your location with all the equipment needed to patch, plug, or swap your tire on the spot — no tow truck, no shop visit, no wasted afternoon. At Towing Ottawa, our flat tire service is available 24/7 across Ottawa, Gatineau, and surrounding areas. This guide covers everything Ottawa drivers need to know about mobile tire repair: what it costs, what services are available, when to repair vs. replace, and how to handle a flat safely.
Types of Mobile Tire Services Available in Ottawa
Mobile tire technicians in Ottawa offer more than just flat fixes. Here is a breakdown of the most common services that can be done right at your vehicle:
🔩 Flat Tire Patch / Plug
Nail or screw in the tread? A technician dismounts the tire, applies an internal plug-patch combo, rebalances, and remounts — all on-site. Takes 30–45 minutes.
🔄 Spare Tire Swap
Cannot change the tire yourself? We swap your flat for the spare already in your trunk. Fastest roadside solution — usually done in under 15 minutes.
❄️ Seasonal Tire Change
Switch between winter and all-season tires at your home or office. No shop appointment needed. Most 4-tire swaps take 30–45 minutes on-site.
⚖️ Tire Balancing
Vibration at highway speed? Mobile balancing corrects uneven weight distribution without a shop visit. Often done alongside a seasonal change.
🆕 New Tire Installation
Some mobile providers carry stock or can order tires delivered to your location and install them on-site — including mounting, balancing, and TPMS reset.
🔍 TPMS Reset & Diagnostics
Tire pressure warning light on? Mobile technicians can check pressure, reset your TPMS sensors, and diagnose slow leaks on the spot.
How Much Does Mobile Tire Repair Cost in Ottawa?
Mobile tire prices in Ottawa vary depending on the type of service, time of day, and your location. Here is what you can expect in 2026:
💡 Tip: Mobile tire repair is almost always cheaper than a tow to a shop ($100–$250+). Even with the mobile service call fee, you save on towing costs and shop wait times. For a full comparison of roadside costs, see our Ottawa towing cost guide.
Mobile Tire Repair vs. Driving to a Shop
Should you call a mobile service or limp to a tire shop? Here is how the two options compare:
📱 Mobile Tire Service
✅ Comes to your exact location
✅ No need to drive on a damaged tire
✅ Available 24/7 including weekends
✅ No shop wait time or appointment
✅ Eliminates tow truck cost
⚠️ Slightly higher per-service cost
🏪 Traditional Tire Shop
✅ Lower base price for repairs
✅ Full equipment for complex jobs
✅ Wider tire inventory on-site
❌ Must drive on the flat or arrange a tow
❌ Limited hours (evenings, weekends)
❌ Wait times can be 1–3 hours
Bottom line: If you are stranded, it is an emergency, or you simply do not want to waste half a day at a shop, mobile tire repair is the smarter choice. If you need complex work like alignment or a tire that is not in stock, a shop visit may be necessary — and we can tow you there if needed.
When Can a Tire Be Repaired vs. When Does It Need Replacing?
Not every flat tire needs a new tire. Industry guidelines (followed by all reputable mobile tire services) determine whether a tire repair is safe:
✅ Repairable If…
• Puncture is in the tread area only
• Hole is smaller than 6 mm (¼ inch)
• Tire has adequate remaining tread depth (above 2/32″)
• No previous repairs in the same spot
• Internal liner is not heat-damaged from driving on the flat
❌ Must Replace If…
• Damage is on the sidewall or shoulder
• Hole is larger than 6 mm (¼ inch)
• Tire was driven flat for an extended distance
• Tread is worn below the safe limit
• Run-flat tire with internal structural damage
⚠️ Warning: Never use tire sealant (like Fix-a-Flat or Slime) as a permanent repair. These products are emergency-only temporary fixes that can damage your TPMS sensors and make a proper repair more expensive. If sealant was used, tell the technician — cleanup adds $10–$30 to the repair cost.
Flat Tire? We Come to You.
24/7 mobile tire repair • Roadside spare swap • All vehicle types
What to Do When You Get a Flat Tire in Ottawa
A blowout or sudden flat can be startling. Here is the safest way to handle it:
Stay Calm and Slow Down Gradually
Do not slam the brakes. Grip the steering wheel firmly and ease off the gas. Let the car decelerate naturally.
Pull Over to a Safe Location
Move to the right shoulder, a parking lot, or a side street. Avoid stopping on curves, hills, or narrow shoulders. Get as far from traffic as possible.
Turn On Hazard Lights
Alert other drivers to your stopped vehicle. If you have reflective triangles or flares, set them up behind your car.
Assess the Damage
Check which tire is flat and look for obvious damage (nail, screw, sidewall tear). Take a photo for the technician.
Call for Mobile Tire Help
Call (613) 317-3924. Share your GPS location and vehicle details. Stay in or near your vehicle with seatbelt on while you wait — especially on highways.
Seasonal Tire Changes: Why Ottawa Drivers Go Mobile
Ottawa’s winters demand dedicated winter tires — and every spring and fall, the entire city scrambles to swap them. Tire shops get backed up for weeks with wait times of 2–4 weeks during peak season. This is where mobile tire service is a game-changer.
Skip the shop queue. A mobile technician comes to your driveway, office parking lot, or condo garage and swaps all four tires while you continue your day. No drop-off, no pickup, no waiting room.
Flexible scheduling. Most mobile services offer evenings and weekends — times when traditional shops are closed or overbooked.
On-rims vs. off-rims. If your seasonal tires are already mounted on rims, a mobile swap is straightforward and takes 30–45 minutes. Off-rim swaps (requiring dismounting, mounting, and balancing) take longer and cost more, but are still doable on-site with the right equipment.
When to switch: In Ontario, the general recommendation is to install winter tires when temperatures consistently drop below 7°C (typically late October to mid-November) and switch back to all-seasons when temperatures stay above 7°C (usually mid-April). Many insurance providers offer a winter tire discount of 3–5% on premiums — ask your insurer.
Tire Maintenance Tips to Avoid Flats
Prevention is cheaper than repair. Follow these practices to reduce your chances of needing a mobile tire repair:
🔧 Check tire pressure monthly. Under-inflated tires are more susceptible to punctures and blowouts. Use the pressure listed on your driver’s door jamb sticker, not the number on the tire sidewall.
🔧 Rotate tires every 8,000–12,000 km. Even wear extends tire life and helps prevent weak spots that lead to flats.
🔧 Inspect tread depth regularly. The legal minimum in Ontario is 1.5 mm, but safety experts recommend replacing tires below 4/32″ (3.2 mm), especially for winter driving.
🔧 Avoid construction zones and debris. Nails, screws, and metal fragments on Ottawa roads (especially near construction on the LRT corridors) cause most tread punctures.
🔧 Watch for pothole damage. Ottawa’s freeze-thaw cycle creates potholes that can damage sidewalls and cause slow leaks. Report potholes to the city via 311.
🔧 Replace tires older than 6 years. Rubber degrades over time even with good tread. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall (a 4-digit number: first two = week, last two = year of manufacture).
Where We Provide Mobile Tire Service in Ottawa
Towing Ottawa dispatches technicians across the National Capital Region for flat tire emergencies and scheduled tire services. We cover:
Stranded on the highway? We handle roadside tire calls on the 417, 416, 174, and surrounding routes. For the full list, visit our service area page.
Other Roadside Services We Offer
A flat tire is not the only thing that can leave you stranded. Towing Ottawa provides a full range of roadside assistance:
Frequently Asked Questions: Mobile Tire Repair Ottawa
How much does mobile tire repair cost in Ottawa?
A mobile tire plug or patch in Ottawa typically costs $30–$80 depending on the repair type. Roadside spare tire swaps run $60–$120. Call (613) 317-3924 for an exact quote based on your situation.
How fast can a mobile tire technician get to me?
Within Ottawa city limits, response times are typically 20–40 minutes. Rural areas like Embrun, Russell, or Navan may take slightly longer. Once on-site, most repairs are completed within 15–45 minutes.
Can a tire with a nail in it be repaired on the spot?
Yes, if the nail or screw is in the tread area and the hole is smaller than 6 mm. The technician will plug and patch it on-site. If the puncture is in the sidewall or too large, the tire needs replacing.
Is mobile tire repair available 24/7?
Yes. Towing Ottawa offers 24/7 roadside tire service including flat tire swaps and emergency repairs. After-hours calls may include a small surcharge of $20–$50 depending on time and location.
What if I do not have a spare tire?
Many newer cars come without a spare. If your tire cannot be repaired on-site and there is no spare, we can tow your vehicle to the nearest tire shop on a flatbed to prevent rim damage.
Is a patched tire safe to drive on long-term?
Yes, when done correctly. A professional plug-patch combo (applied from inside the tire) is considered a permanent repair and is safe for the remaining life of the tire. A plug-only repair from the outside is a temporary fix.
Can you do a seasonal tire change at my house?
Absolutely. Mobile seasonal tire changes are one of the most popular services in Ottawa. A technician comes to your driveway or garage, swaps all four tires, torques the lug nuts to spec, and checks pressures — usually within 30–45 minutes.
Do I need to retorque after a mobile tire change?
Yes. After any tire change, lug nuts should be retorqued after 100 km of driving. Many mobile services offer a follow-up retorque. You can also visit any tire shop for a quick retorque — most do it for free.
Is mobile tire repair more expensive than a shop?
The per-service cost is slightly higher (usually $15–$30 more) due to the mobile call-out. However, when you factor in the cost of a tow ($100–$250), lost time, and convenience, mobile repair almost always works out cheaper overall.
Can you repair run-flat tires on-site?
It depends on the damage. Some run-flat punctures in the tread can be repaired, but many manufacturers recommend replacement rather than repair due to internal structural changes after running deflated. The technician will assess and advise on-site.
Flat Tire? Get Mobile Repair Now.
24/7 on-site tire repair • Spare swap • Seasonal changes • All vehicles