If you have a flat tire on a Tesla or another EV, call or text us with your car’s model and where the tire is damaged. If the puncture is repairable, we plug it where the car is parked. If it isn’t, and you have no spare, we will tell you what the car needs next.
We’re Axl Roadside, a mobile roadside service in Mountain View. We come to your vehicle at home, at work, in a parking lot or on the roadside. One thing up front: we don’t tow. If your car needs a tow, we will tell you so you can arrange one. Here is how to tell whether your car needs a tow.
What makes a flat tire different on an EV?
The missing spare, mainly. Many EVs have no spare, so the usual plan of swapping one on isn’t available. Some cars carry a tire sealant and inflator kit instead, and your owner’s manual or the manufacturer can tell you what yours has.
The second difference is lifting the car. Where a car can safely be raised depends on the model, and EVs often have specific lift points because of the battery pack under the floor. Lifting in the wrong spot can damage the car, so if you aren’t sure where the points are, don’t guess. Your owner’s manual shows them.
Not every flat can be repaired, which is the next question.
Can a flat tire on an EV be plugged?
Sometimes. A puncture from a nail or screw is often repairable with a plug, and we can do that where the car is parked. Whether it can be plugged depends on where the damage is and how big it is.
A tire usually can’t be plugged in these cases:
- The damage is in the sidewall, the side of the tire rather than the part that touches the road.
- There is a large cut or tear, not a small puncture.
- The tire was driven flat, because driving on it can damage the inside of the tire even when the outside looks fine.
A tire like that usually has to be replaced, and we can install the new tire where the car is parked. If there is a nail in the tire, it is usually better to leave it in place until the tire is looked at, because it may be what is holding the air in. We can’t tell you for certain over the phone whether a tire is repairable, so we look at it when we get there.
What should I tell you when I call?
To send someone out, we need four things.
- Your name
- Where the car is
- The year, make and model of the car
- A short description of the problem
For a flat, a few more details help. Tell us which tire is flat, where you can see damage, in the tread or on the side, and whether there is a nail or screw in it. Tell us whether you drove on it flat and roughly how far, and whether you have a spare or a sealant kit. If you already used a sealant kit, say so, since sealant inside the tire can affect how it gets repaired.
What if the tire can’t be repaired and I have no spare?
Then the car may need a tow or a trip to a tire shop, and we will tell you which. We don’t tow, but we would rather say that plainly than leave you guessing. If you do have a spare and the tire can’t be repaired, we can install the spare.
The cost depends on your situation, and we tell you what it is when you call.
What should I do while I wait?
If you’re on a busy road, getting to a safe place such as a parking lot or a wide shoulder comes first, and hazard lights help. If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911 first. Once you’re parked safely, stay parked, because driving further on a flat tire can turn a repairable puncture into a tire that can’t be plugged.
We serve Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Redwood City, Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley, from 7am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Flat tire on your EV or Tesla?
Call or text (415) 712-4161, 7am to 8pm daily. Tell us the model and where the damage is, and we will tell you what we can do where the car is parked.
