Towing & roadside assistance—one local call.
Lake View East & North Side focus · 24/7
English & Spanish assistance
Towing & roadside assistance—one local call.
Lake View East & North Side focus · 24/7
English & Spanish assistance
Driver guides · October 18, 2026
A bubble sticking out of a tire’s sidewall needs attention before you keep driving. It is not the same as a routine low-pressure warning. If you have found one while parked, leave the vehicle parked and arrange a usable spare or suitable towing.
Need tire assistance or towing in Lake View East or Chicago’s North Side? Call Rick’s 24/7 at (312) 451-5785. Tell us which tire is affected, whether you have a spare and exactly where the vehicle is parked.
Michelin explains that an outward bulge can indicate damaged internal cords, often after an impact. This damage cannot be repaired; the tire needs replacement. Adding air does not repair those cords.
Do not take a test drive to see whether the tire holds up. If you notice the problem during a trip, stop somewhere safe as soon as you can. Avoid inspecting a tire beside moving traffic. Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
A photo or phone call cannot establish that a damaged tire is safe. Describe what you see without stepping into traffic or crawling underneath the vehicle.
A usable-spare installation may get the damaged tire off the vehicle when the spare fits, is in usable condition and the parking position allows safe work. Tell Rick’s whether your car has a spare, where it is stored and whether the wheels require a locking wheel-nut key.
A sealant kit is not a repair for a structural sidewall bulge. Do not assume the kit in your trunk replaces the need for a spare or tow in this situation. For a temporary spare, follow your vehicle manual and the spare’s marked speed and distance limits.
Rick’s provides spare-tire installation, not sidewall patching or tire-shop replacement. The damaged tire still needs professional inspection and replacement.
No usable spare, a damaged wheel, multiple affected tires or unsafe access can make towing the appropriate next step. Explain any wheel damage, rubbing, steering trouble or other symptoms after a curb or pothole impact. Do not drive again just to demonstrate a symptom.
Rick’s offers compatible wheel-lift towing, not flatbed service. Share the year, make, model, drivetrain if known, and wheel condition so equipment suitability can be checked before dispatch. Some vehicles or damage conditions require equipment we do not provide.
For a Lake View East pickup, give the street address and nearest cross street. “Near Belmont” or “off Broadway” leaves too much room for confusion. Say whether you are at the curb, in an alley, in a parking lot or inside a garage.
We’ll ask about the tire, spare, vehicle and pickup access to check whether spare installation or a compatible tow fits the situation. Confirm availability, arrival estimate and the total quote directly before booking. If towing is needed, agree on a destination and confirm the receiving shop’s drop-off instructions, especially after hours.
Before your next trip, check the other tires and your spare too. NHTSA’s tire guidance recommends regular pressure checks, including the spare, and checking tires for physical damage such as cuts, cracks and bulges. Use the vehicle’s recommended pressure, and follow its manual.
For more about spare equipment, read our flat tire, spare tire and repair-kit guide. Need service now? Call Rick’s and tell us: “There’s a bulge on my tire, and I do—or don’t—have a spare.”
Call Rick’s for towing and roadside assistance. Tell us your location and the service you need. Rick’s is open 24/7; availability and vehicle suitability are confirmed for each request.
Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance provides 24/7 towing and roadside assistance for drivers in Lake View East, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park, Uptown, Roscoe Village, Andersonville, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, North Center, Sauganash, and nearby Chicago’s North Side neighborhoods. We help with wheel-lift towing, jump starts, flat tire service, car lockout service, fuel delivery, and emergency roadside assistance when your vehicle leaves you stuck.
Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance has served Lake View East and Chicago’s North Side with 24/7 towing and roadside assistance since 2000.
Read current customer reviews on Google
© 2026 Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance
Privacy policy · Service areas · Contact · Call (312) 451-5785
Ready to arrange service? Confirm availability and your quote.