Quick answer: Mobile tire installation means a technician from SOS Mobile Tire drives to your home, office or roadside and mounts and balances your new tires on the spot. You pick the tires, tell us where the vehicle is parked, and we do the work there, so you skip the shop visit and the waiting room. The work itself is much the same as in a shop. The difference is where it happens.
What happens from first contact to finished tires?
The process is simple, and most of it is planning. Here's the usual order:
- You choose your tires. Shop online or call us and tell us what you drive. If you're not sure of your tire size, it's printed on the sidewall of the tire you have now.
- You schedule the visit. Tell us where the vehicle will be and when you'll be there. You can book mobile tire installation online or call.
- We come to you. We travel to your home, office or roadside location. For roadside calls, arrival is typically 30 to 60 minutes, and we don't promise an exact time.
- We install the tires. The technician removes the wheel, takes off the old tire, mounts the new one and balances it.
- We put everything back and check the work. The wheel goes back on the vehicle and the tire gets a final check before you drive off.
That's the whole job. You can stay inside, keep working, or watch from the driveway.
What does a tire installation include?
A full installation is more than putting rubber on a wheel. In general, these are the pieces:
- Removing the old tire from the wheel.
- Mounting the new tire onto the wheel. You can read more on our tire mounting service page.
- Balancing the wheel and tire so the vehicle rides smoothly and the tire wears evenly.
- Reinstalling the wheel and tightening the lug nuts properly.
- Setting the air pressure to the right level for your vehicle.
On that last point, the recommended pressure for your vehicle is listed on the tire information placard, usually on the driver's door jamb, according to NHTSA's tire safety guidance. It's not the same as the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall.
If you want to confirm exactly what's included for your vehicle, ask when you book. Different vehicles can have different needs, such as sensors in the wheels, so it helps to mention anything unusual up front.
Where can mobile installation happen?
Anywhere a technician can safely work around your vehicle. That usually means:
- Your driveway or home parking spot. Good for family cars, SUVs and pickups.
- Your office or workplace lot. Your vehicle gets new tires while you're at your desk.
- The roadside. If you have a flat or damaged tire and can't get to a shop, we come to you.
- A fleet yard or business location. Useful when several vehicles need attention and you don't want them off the road longer than needed.
A flat, firm surface is best. Gravel, soft grass or a steep slope can make the work harder, so tell us about your spot when you call.
Is mobile installation different from a shop visit?
The work is the same kind of work. What changes is your time and your day.
| Shop visit | Mobile installation | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | You drive to the shop, even with a worn or damaged tire | We drive to you |
| Waiting | Waiting room or a ride back | You carry on with your day |
| Flat tire situations | You may need help getting the vehicle to the shop | We come to your roadside spot |
| Scheduling | Fit around shop hours and wait times | Pick a time and place that suits you |
With SOS Mobile Tire, there's no waiting room and no need to move a vehicle with a bad tire. That matters most when the vehicle isn't safe to drive or when you simply don't have the time.
What about vans, trucks, trailers and fleets?
We're one company for everything from compact cars to tractor trailers, plus farm equipment. Larger and commercial tire sizes are in stock, which matters when a work vehicle is sitting idle.
If you drive a work van or cargo van, our page on tires for vans is a good place to start. Vans often carry heavy loads, so the right tire matters. You can also ask us about fleet service if you manage several vehicles, since every hour off the road costs money.
Trailers work in much the same way. A trailer tire is mounted on its wheel, balanced if needed, and the wheel is put back on the trailer. The right air pressure depends on the tire and the load, so check the manufacturer's guidance for your trailer. If you're unsure, ask us and we'll help you work it out.
What if I just have a flat?
Not every call ends in new tires. If the tire can be fixed, repair may be the better option. We handle mobile tire repair as well, and the technician can check the tire and tell you whether it's repairable or needs to be replaced.
As a rule, damage to the sidewall or a very worn tire usually means replacement, while a simple puncture in the tread area is more often repairable. The technician makes that call when they see the tire, so we don't promise a repair over the phone.
How do I get ready for the visit?
A little preparation makes the visit faster:
- Park on a level spot with room to work around the vehicle.
- Know your tire size. It's on the sidewall, in a format like 225/65R17.
- Know where your locking lug nut key is, if your wheels use one.
- Clear the area of toys, bikes and anything that could get in the way.
- Tell us about the vehicle. Mention if it's a van, truck, trailer or something larger, so we bring the right equipment.
We've been in business since 2014, and our Google rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 237 reviews, as shown on our website in October 2026. We also have a bilingual team, so hablamos español.
What about paying for new tires?
You can shop tires online and schedule the installation at the same time. Financing is available through Snap Finance, with no credit needed, subject to approval. There's also a 100-day cash payoff option. Approval isn't guaranteed, so check the terms when you apply.
For the cost of a specific tire and installation, ask us when you book. We'd rather give you an accurate number for your vehicle than a guess.
To see what's involved for your vehicle, visit our tire mounting service page or book mobile tire installation.