Flat Tire Change Service in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado
A flat tire sounds simple until you are the one kneeling on the shoulder of I-25 with semis passing a few feet away. Changing a tire next to highway traffic is one of the more dangerous things a driver can do, and it is not much better on a dark county road with no shoulder at all. Choice Towing & Recovery provides 24-hour flat tire changing across Fort Collins, Greeley and Northern Colorado. Call 970-482-0159 and let a trained operator handle it.
Why Let a Pro Change Your Tire
Changing a tire on Northern Colorado highways like US-34, US-85, US-287 and I-25 can be dangerous. Our operators work with a truck positioned behind your vehicle and its warning lights running, which gives a buffer from passing traffic. Colorado’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over or slow down for stopped tow trucks and emergency vehicles with lights on, and our trucks are equipped to be seen.
There are other good reasons to call:
- The lug nuts will not budge. Shop air tools can over-tighten lug nuts beyond what a factory lug wrench can loosen.
- You cannot find the jack points, or the factory jack is missing or broken.
- Locking lug nuts. You need the key, and it is not where you thought it was.
- Bad weather. Snow, sleet and ice make a roadside tire change much harder and much colder.
- Physical limits. Not everyone can lift a full-size truck tire or work on their knees on gravel.
How a Tire Change Call Works
- Call 970-482-0159. Tell dispatch your vehicle, which tire is flat, and whether you have a spare.
- Get to a safe spot. If the vehicle can roll slowly, move it fully onto the shoulder or the nearest exit or parking lot.
- The operator sets up. The truck is placed to shield the work area and lights are turned on.
- We mount your spare. We loosen the lugs, lift the vehicle, swap the tire and torque the lugs.
- We check the spare’s pressure and remind you of any speed and distance limits for compact spares.
No Spare? No Problem
Many newer vehicles do not come with a spare tire at all. Some have a sealant-and-compressor kit that does not help with sidewall damage or a large puncture. Others have a spare that has been flat in the trunk for years. If you do not have a working spare, we can locate and tow your vehicle to the nearest open tire repair facility so you can get the tire fixed and get back on the road. If it is late at night and nothing is open, we can tow you home or to the shop you will use in the morning. See flatbed towing.
Flat Tire Hazards Unique to Northern Colorado
Potholes after winter. Freeze-thaw cycles break up the pavement every spring. Potholes on older roads around Fort Collins and Greeley take out tires and bend rims every March and April.
Construction debris. Ongoing growth along I-25 and in Timnath, Windsor, Johnstown and Severance means screws, nails and debris near job sites.
Gravel and county roads. Sharp rock on unpaved Larimer and Weld County roads and foothill routes near Masonville and Livermore can cut sidewalls.
Cold-weather pressure drops. Tire pressure drops as temperatures fall. A tire that was a little low in the fall can go soft on the first cold morning, and an underinflated tire is more likely to fail.
Tires on Trucks, Trailers and Fleet Vehicles
Flat tires on work trucks, utility trailers and fleet vehicles are common too. Our roadside team handles pickups, vans and light commercial vehicles. For semis and heavy trucks, we offer heavy duty roadside service out of the same 24/7 dispatch. See semi-truck towing and heavy duty towing.
While You Wait
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- If you are on a highway, get out on the side away from traffic and stand well back behind a guardrail if there is one.
- If it is cold or you cannot safely get away from the road, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on.
- Find your spare, jack and lock key if you know where they are.
- Do not drive far on a flat. Running on the rim can ruin the wheel and make a cheap fix expensive.
Where We Change Tires
Our tire calls come from all over the map: the I-25 shoulder between Loveland and Wellington, the US-34 bypass in Greeley, the stretch of US-287 between Berthoud and Laporte, and the county roads around Milliken, Lucerne and Severance. We also head west into the foothills toward Masonville and Livermore, where gravel and sharp rock are hardest on tires. Choice Towing & Recovery can typically arrive within 20 to 30 minutes of your call. Bad weather and remote locations can stretch that, and dispatch will give you an honest estimate before the truck leaves. If you are on a highway and do not know the nearest mile marker, the Send Location page will show us exactly where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have a spare tire?
We can tow your vehicle to the nearest open tire repair facility, or to your home or shop.
Can you remove locking lug nuts without the key?
Tell dispatch if the key is missing. Depending on the lock type, we may need to tow the vehicle to a tire shop that has removal tools.
How far can I drive on a compact spare?
Most compact spares are made for short distances at reduced speeds. Check the sidewall or your owner’s manual and replace the full-size tire as soon as you can.
Do you change tires on big pickups and vans?
Yes. We change tires on pickups, SUVs, vans and light commercial vehicles.
Flat Tire? Call Now
Call Choice Towing & Recovery at 970-482-0159 for 24/7 tire changing service anywhere in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. Use the Send Location page to share your exact spot.
