Even the most premium tires do not last forever; it only takes about three to five years before changes are necessary. Not to mention, premature wear, tear, and cracks will require tire replacements much sooner!
Here comes the important question: how long does it take to get tires changed? Are there tips to cut down that process? Keep scrolling to learn more about our verdict.
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How Long Does It Take To Change Tires?
Generally, the time required fluctuates between 20 minutes (using vehicle lifts at mechanic shops) to several hours if you do everything yourself. Let’s break down each potential scenario.
1. Based on Skills
How long the process might take depends on your chosen method. Do you change the tires at home or have them replaced by trusted, expert mechanics?
Tackling this task yourself undoubtedly takes much longer – about 60 minutes or even more for people with limited experience. Worse, those who have never done it before should expect to spend at least 2-3 hours!
On the other hand, auto centers with years of expertise in tire handling will offer great repair services at a much quicker pace. Changing tires for the entire car will never take more than 60 minutes (approximately 15 minutes per tire). Some stores even finish everything within 20 minutes!
2. Based on Types of Used Tools
2a. Using Only Tire Jacks
Tire jacks are among the most common and easy-to-use tools to replace spare tires. Nevertheless, most people point out one huge drawback: since there are no jack stands, drivers have no choice but to handle each tire respectively (rather than a whole set at once).
- Worse, they have to lower and lift the car after every tire change. That’s extremely dangerous since the vehicle may dislodge and slip. Extra caution is needed to avoid accidents, which is why this complicated process will take much, much longer (about 80-90 minutes).
On another note, you don’t have to worry about placing jack stands correctly under the car. That might save a little time, though not much.
2b. Using Tire Jacks and Jack Stands
Combining jack stands and tire jacks will speed up the entire process greatly. When using the jack to lift the car, remember to place your jack stand properly under it. That ensures the car’s kept firmly in place, allowing you to remove flat tires conveniently.
This method only requires 30-45 minutes from you (very impressive!) And that’s understandable, as you no longer have to lift and lower the car multiple times like with the first technique. Things would be even better if there were 2 jack stands; changing both rear tire and front tire pairs in one go is a piece of cake!
2c. Using Vehicle Lifts
Most average drivers do not have available vehicle lifts at home, and it’s easy to understand why. The piece is hella expensive, and no one wants to bring home such a costly device just to change car tires!
Instead, they are more common at auto shops. Technicians use them to change tires, inspect car compartments, and diagnose numerous other automobile issues.
And needless to say, using it is the quickest method out of our entire list. Once the vehicle is lifted, all of the car’s four tires will get replaced simultaneously. The process takes about 15-30 minutes.
See more: How Long Does Tire Rotation Take?
How Should Vehicle Owners Cut Down The Average Time for Tire Changes?
Getting the wheels changed and serviced at tire shops is your best bet, but there are many situations when such options are impossible (ex: you are in the middle of an empty highway).
In that case, you will have to tend to the task yourself. Here are tips to make the process faster:
1. Check The TPMS
Find a safe place to stop your car, like a mall lot or garage. Lift the tires using tire machines, then scan its TPMS to see whether the wheels undergo any trouble. That way, you can estimate the time required for tire changes.
2. Keep An Eye on Possible Defects
We suggest disassembling each car part to find out harmful or faulty elements (if any). Also, to decrease the approximate time, you can wipe down the hub mating and wheel surfaces.
3. Pull Off The Tires Quickly
Time to get to work! Should the car contain TPMS with wheel-controlled sensors, remove those sensors first. Once done, replace every soft part on the wheels, like main valves, sensor nuts, and gaskets.
4. Add The Final Touches
Now bring out the new tires and sensors. Do not forget to keep the wheel balance within 5 to 6 grams. It will protect the car’s system for years to come!
After that, install the wheels onto your car via the torque systems and machines. Check them again to ensure their air pressure reaches the manufacturer’s recommended level.
FAQs
How Much Do Tire Changes Usually Cost?
Expect to spend about $13 to $45 per single tire. Other added labor (like balancing and mounting) also contributes to the total cost.
Should You Replace All Four Tires?
Yes, that’s highly recommended. Otherwise, replacing only one or two tires will cause significant mismatches in tread depths, spins, and speeds, damaging your car’s drivetrain.
Conclusion
This question has been properly addressed in our article. Auto customer services are always the best choice, but you should also take note of some tips to reduce the time required – just in case you have to do everything yourself in hazardous road conditions.
