15 Nov The Best Emergency Roadside Tire Service Out There!
Any car-related emergency can be scary and stressful, especially if you don’t know who to turn to for help. While there are many skills you can learn to help you overcome common tire issues, sometimes what you need is beyond your capabilities or you simply don’ have the resources available. In these instances, you’re better off reaching out to a roadside assistance company you trust.
Mach 1 Services is one of the best companies available for roadside assistance, especially in emergency situations where roadside tire service is necessary. Whether you’re experiencing a flat tire, you need a spare installed, or you’re experiencing any other tire-related issues, Mach 1 can be there to help, and here’s how.
This article will describe how Mach 1 services work, what to expect, and why you want them to be your go-to roadside assistance company. Read on to learn more.
How Do I Get Mach1 Services?
If you haven’t heard of Mach 1 Services before, you might be confused and a little surprised by how you contact the company in order to utilize their services.
Mach 1 is accessible to users through a mobile app that works for both Apple and Android devices. All you have to do is download the free app and create your account using protected personal information such as your name, cell phone number, and email.
Once you’ve made your account, Mach 1 will ask for your location so any service providers they dispatch can find you quickly to fix your tire-related issues.
Notice we haven’t mentioned anything about signing up for a membership or subscriptions yet, which is common with most roadside assistance companies. That’s because Mach 1 Services doesn’t require them.
After you’ve made your account, you’ll go to the “services” tab and choose the link that matches your needs, most likely the “flat tire” link. From there, you’ll provide information regarding your car’s make and model as well as your location (if it hasn’t already been established). You’ll then receive a service estimate that you can confirm or deny.
This estimate is based on the average cost of your service in regard to companies in your location. This helps ensure Mach 1 service providers benefit from their partnership with Mach 1 without requiring users to pay above-average prices for assistance.
Mach 1 will connect you with a service provider in your region after you’ve confirmed you are comfortable with the estimate and then enter your payment information for the service.
Are There Additional Fees to Pay Once the Service Provider Arrives?
No, there are no hidden fees when using Mach 1. The app itself is free to download, and the user agrees to the price they will pay within the estimated range provided before Mach 1 dispatches a service provider to your location.
Unlike other roadside assistance companies, you don’t have to worry about paying a dime over what you need to solve your immediate issue. Rather than spending $50-$100+ for a membership, you’ll only need for this one occasion; Mach 1 only charges users per service, allowing them to save money in the long run.
Additionally, their system for using an average price based on your region effectively eliminates your need to compare prices between companies and ensures the service provider sent to you won’t haggle to increase the cost of their service; it is already pre-paid before they’re sent to you.
How Long Will I Have to Wait for Assistance?
While we’d like to tell you that service providers always reach Mach 1 users within minutes of their service request, wait times can vary.
That being said, Mach 1 prides itself on being one of the quickest and most efficient services because it chooses the service provider closest to your location to respond to your service request.
This decreases wait times compared to other companies that rely on a handful of service vehicles to respond to requests from all over a designated region. In which case, the closest vehicle might have been called out to the other side of town despite the company being located a block away.
Not only could you be waiting for the closest vehicle to finish the job they’re currently doing, but then you have to wait for them to travel across town to you, which could take hours.
Mach 1 recognizes that time is of the essence when you have a car tire emergency, and so they carefully select an available, nearby service provider to ensure you aren’t sitting around on the roadside for a moment longer than necessary.
Are Mach 1 Service Providers Legitimate?
The service providers Mach 1 sends out might not work for the company directly, but that doesn’t mean they’re just dispatching any roadside assistance company to your location.
Safety is one of Mach 1’s most essential values, which is why all service providers they partner with go through an extensive background check and seven-point candidate check before responding to any Mach 1 user’s assistance requests.
These service providers range from shops and tow truck companies to mobile mechanics and independents, ensuring users have access to a wide range of skills and experiences offered by trained professionals.
This benefits Mach 1 users because it guarantees they can find a professional to offer the services they need, from tire installation to towing to lock picking and more.
For helpful tips on how to stay alert and comfortable during a long trip, be sure to read our article on “Essential Tips for Driving on Long Trips.”
Does Roadside Assistance Plug Tires?
If there’s one downside to Mach 1 Services, it’s that not all service providers will offer the same services for all tire-related issues.
One of the most common tire emergencies is when you discover you have a flat tire and either doesn’t have a spare on hand or any way to inflate the tire and close the hole. Typically, the best way to resolve this issue without a spare is to plug the tire, but you’ll need roadside assistance professional to do so.
While many roadside assistance services will plug a tire if necessary, not all partnered with Mach 1 offer this service. Because Mach 1 Services connects you with trained professionals in the region, they don’t have an extensive list of guaranteed services, as they may vary between service providers.
Therefore, if you are set on having a provider dispatched to you that will plug your tire, you’ll either want to seek them out yourself or research the Mach 1 provider you’re connected with to see if they offer this service.
What Happens if I Don’t Have a Spare for My Tire?
Usually, the quickest fix to any tire-related issues is to pop on a spare tire and be on your way. However, tires aren’t cheap things to have on stand-by, and so, many people travel without them despite the benefits of having one stored in your car.
If you don’t have a spare tire for your Mach 1 Service provider to install, don’t worry. You aren’t doomed. Despite this being the easiest solution to your problems, it isn’t the only option. Some service providers will be able to inflate your tire depending on its issue, or they will opt to tow it to a location where you can purchase and install a serviceable spare tire.
As we mentioned previously, the services your Mach 1 service provider will offer largely depend on the company. It is highly unlikely the company will bring you a spare for your car, but most will tow your car to another location where you can buy a replacement.
Unfortunately, this is the most common and expensive solution if you’re experiencing tire issues and don’t have a spare. So, it might be more worthwhile to invest in a spare and pay the minimal fee for the provider to install the new tire than to relocate your entire car.
What Should I Do If I’m Off to The Side of the Road Waiting for Assistance?
The unfortunate thing about tire emergencies is they can happen anywhere, even in the most isolated or unsafe environments. If you’re waiting for roadside assistance, it’s important to know when to stay by your car and when it is best to relocate until help arrives.
Generally, it is best to stay close to your vehicle when you’re waiting for roadside assistance so the service provider can more easily identify you and your car as their client. They will need explicit permission from you as the owner before they can proceed to do anything with your car, so if you’re not around, they can’t help you.
That being said, sometimes it isn’t always safe to stay near your car while you wait for roadside assistance. If your tire emergency occurred while you were driving and you’ve now pulled off to the side of the road, there are a few things you could do:
- Try to move your car to a safer location, such as a parking lot
- Find a safe public building or private business (ex., retail store or eatery) nearby where you can wait
- Contact a friend or family member to meet at your location and wait with you
- Keep your car where it is, turn on its hazard lights, and place road flares (if possible) around the vehicle
If you decide to move away from your car, make sure you contact the service provider, so they know to contact you when they are nearing your location. You’ll also want to make sure your car is in sight wherever you decide to wait to ensure you can get there quickly in the event they arrive while you’re away.
Apart from these steps, there’s nothing more you can do but wait. Mach 1 will charge you whatever fee you need to pay for your service, and there is nothing more you can do until the service provider arrives and helps remedy your situation.
Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, Mach 1 is the best emergency roadside assistance company you can contact for any tire issues you might have. With their user-friendly app, you can contact nearby professionals in mere minutes who will meet you at your location in record time for a reasonable cost well below what competitors require.
Remember that not all Mach 1 service providers offer the same services, so you’ll want to research the company you’re matched with to guarantee they can meet your needs or if you need to request another. Even if the service provider you receive can’t solve your issue in the easiest manner possible, they’ll do everything they can to help you, even if it means relocating your car to a location with services that better suit your needs.