How long does it take to change tires


How Long Does It Take to Change Tires?

Most drivers know the importance of switching from winter tires to summer tires, especially those in Canada. Summer tires in winter will turn the roads into a slip n’ slide, and winter tires in summer will wear down faster than a hungry kid licking the layers off of a jawbreaker. Neither use of tires is safe. Thankfully, the process of changing tires out isn’t difficult. However, you may be wondering how long it takes to change tires or what exactly are mechanics doing when tires are being changed over—we answer both of those questions below.

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How Long Does It Take to Change Tires?

Typically, tire changes only take about 30-45 min. for all 4 tires. This number depends on the equipment you’re using though as better tools can make the process much more efficient.

If you’re mounting your tires on your own, instead of using a tire iron, an impact torque wrench can make the whole process much quicker to loosen your tire’s lug nuts. You’ll also need a jack to lift the wheels. Don’t forget to rotate your tires as well when you’re putting your new set back on.

What Do Tire Shops Do When Changing Tires?

Of course, getting your tires changed by a tire shop is often the most efficient way to change your tires as tire shops have a multitude of tools to make the process easier.

Typically, the process for getting your tires changed from summers to winters (or vice versa) is the same as if you would do it yourself. Mechanic or tire shops just have the ability to use more efficient tools and lift vehicles all at once with hydraulic lifts. Once a car is lifted lug nuts are removed from each tire. All tires are attached to a car via lug nuts. As we mentioned previously, these can be removed faster with an impact torque wrench which is what all tire shops or mechanics use.

Once the tires are off, before the summer or winter tires are put on, they are balanced to make sure the tires don’t vibrate while driving. Once the tires are balanced, they are mounted on the car and the lug nuts are reattached in a star pattern to ensure all the tires don’t vibrate due to one nut being looser than the others.

The car is then lowered back to the ground and all tires lug nuts are torqued to make sure all of them are tightened to the correct amount.

Do You Need a Wheel Alignment After Changing Tires?

The short answer: yes! Although not mandatory, making sure your wheels are aligned properly when you get new tires can make a big difference on not only the smoothness of your drive but also your wallet. Getting a wheel alignment done every time you change out your tires for the season isn’t necessary though.

Misaligned tires can cause additional wear on the treads—thus requiring you to buy a new set of tires much sooner.

Wheel alignments also ensure all your tires are properly aligned since having 1 tire out of a set misaligned can be just as, if not more, problematic than if two are out of alignment.

Although it can be frustrating to do at the beginning and end of the seasons, changing out your winter or summer tires is immensely important. You will keep you and your passengers much safer and have a much better grip on the road by doing so for all your journeys.

 

 

Save money with our top-quality used summer tires! Contact us today to see if we have tires that fit your car!

How Long Does it Take to Change a Tire?

Changing tires and wheels is not fun: it is a long process and requires physical labor. Not only can tires weigh a lot, but ensuring the lug nuts are as tight as possible is also crucial.

It sounds like a simple process in theory: lift up the vehicle, loosen the lug nuts, and mount the new tire. However, in practice, it takes a lot more. But how long does it take to actually change a tire? Let's take a closer look.

How Long Does it Take to Change Tires by Yourself?

Sadly, many of us have experienced a popped tire before. The worst thing is that it always happens when you are in a hurry. Often, we don't have time to wait for assistance on the side of the road. However, if you have the equipment necessary, you can easily replace the damaged tire.

But, how long does a tire change take when you are alone?

Depending on the situation, the model's weight, and the new tires you wish to mount, it will take about 15 to 30 minutes to change a flat tire on your own. That is if you know the steps you need to take to do so.

You will need the following tools to change a tire, so keep them in your car for emergencies:

  • A spare tire and wheel
  • Wheel wedges
  • Carjack
  • Tire iron or lug wrench
  • Vehicle owner's manual

Having a pair of work gloves, a reflective warning sign (emergency triangle), and a flashlight can also come in handy.

How Long Does it Take to Change 4 Tires?

If changing a tire and wheel takes 15 to 30 minutes, how long does it take to change four tires? The answer will change whether you are replacing them on your own or if you take the vehicle to a professional.

Shops that specialize in dealing with tires on a daily basis will provide you with quick service. Changing four tires on your car will not take longer than an hour. Generally speaking, to replace a tire set a tire shop till need 45 minutes to an hour.

Doing this process on your own will take longer. Count on spending a few hours by your car, corresponding to your skill levels when it comes to tire replacements.

How Long Does it Take for a Tire Professional to Change a Flat Tire?

The more experience you have in something, the better you will become in dealing with it. Changing a flat tire is no different. So, how long does it take to get tires changed?

Tire professionals, who deal with putting tires on cars daily, have the experience necessary. Therefore, when a tire popped these services are able to replace it in between 5-15 minutes if they have access to the proper equipment.

However, once your tire deflated it might take you some time to get to the shop. Also, keep in mind that there will be other customers in the tire garage. These can lengthen the time you will be waiting for your car to be operational again, especially when you need to replace both the rear tires and the front tires.

How Long Does a Tire Change Take with Different Tire Tools

There are different tools available to help with tire changes. Which one you use will shape the time and manner of how you go about changing the tires. It all depends on tire removal, as that is the first step in changing the tire and wheel.

Using a Tire Jack

A tire jack is the most straightforward way to go about replacing your tires. However, its big drawback is that without jack stands you will have to go tire by tire, lifting and lowering the vehicle after each tire change.

This can also prove to be dangerous as the vehicle can easily dislodge and fall. Putting on a new tire while only using a tire jack will take longer for this reason. On the other hand, you won't have to bother with correctly placing the jack stands under the vehicle, which will save a bit of time.

Using Jack Stands and a Tire Jack

Combining the tire jack with jack stands quickens the tire-changing process. When you lift up the car with the jack, you will need to place the jack stands in order to keep the car lifted and in place. This will allow you to safely remove the flat tire.

So, how long does it take to change a tire using this option? Well, this would be the 15 to 30-minute one. You will be change tires quicker as lifting the car and securing it allows you to work faster. Furthermore, if you have two jack stands you can change both front or rear tire pairs at the same time.

Using a Vehicle Lift

Most of us will not have a vehicle lift available at home for our cars, and that's okay. This is an expensive piece of equipment that is wasted if you would only use it to change tires. You will find vehicle lifts in car mechanic shops, where they are used to inspect and fix various car-related issues.

That said, this is the fastest way to change a tire set on a car. As the car is lifted off the ground, all four tires are easily accessible at the same time.

Changing a Tire On Your Own vs Visiting a Professional

So, how would you go about changing tires on your vehicle? How long does it take to change a tire on your own? We have discussed this previously and our answer was 15 to 30 minutes. However, that is only if you know how to go about it.

Let's take a look at the steps you will need to take to remove and replace a tire.

Find a safe, even spot where you can pull over, like a parking lot. Shift the car into park and set the parking brake (so your vehicle doesn't roll away - which can be dangerous). Be sure the ground you are standing on is level and solid, as anything else will cause you problems.

Now, you will need the spare tire, jack, and tire iron. Remove the hubcap from the wheels. What is a hubcap? Well, it is basically a wheel cover that is used to protect the rims during everyday driving.

Once this is done, use the tire iron (or lug wrench) to loosen the lug nuts, but don't remove them yet. After loosening the lug nuts find the reinforced jack points underneath the vehicle. They are usually before the rear or behind the front tire. The vehicle owner's manual will give you better information regarding this.

Place a brick, wheel wedge, or wood beneath the other tire, to further secure the vehicle. Now you can lift up the car by using the tire jack. Place the jack to the jacking point nearest to the flat and lift up the car. Place the jack stands in place and gently lower the vehicle onto them.

At this point, you can remove the loosened lug nuts, remove the tire and mount the spare onto the vehicle. The valve stem of the spare or new tires will need to face you. After this, screw and tighten the lug nuts. Lift the car a bit to remove the jack stand and then slowly lower it to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts once more until they feel snug.

If you know what you are doing, this process should not take longer than 30 minutes per tire.

As for going to a professional, once your vehicle is next in line, they will be able to use their tools to change one or more wheels. Yet, they will still need at least 45 minutes to replace the tires.

Prevent Tire Puncture with Regular Tire Inspection

Needing new tires is never fun. Now, only do you need to change the tires mounted on your vehicle, but it can be a costly adventure. Therefore, it is important you do all you can to protect your current tires and wheels from damage.

Luckily, regular tire maintenance will give you a hand in this. Checking air pressure regularly, inspecting the tread area for irregular wear and damage, and using your mechanic's services when you realize vehicle issues will go a long way.

In other words, they will minimize the possibility of you needing new tires. Completing these checks regularly will make sure your tires are running smoothly.

Why does Changing a Tire Take so Long?

When you wish to change tires, it can be a lengthy process. This is because the procedure is a tedious one. In order to change four tires, the vehicle needs to be lifted up and lowered down at least twice.

That might not seem like a lot of work, but we are talking about heavy objects here. Safety has to come first. If a vehicle falls off the jacks, not only will it get damaged, but it can also easily injure someone. Therefore, even the quickest mechanic will need at least 10 minutes to change a tire.

FAQs

How Long Does Tire Installation Take?

If you are changing all four tires, the installation will take between 45 minutes to an hour. This will vary based on the experience of your mechanic, the quality of the tires, how well the tires balance, etc. Installing a single tire takes about 10-15 minutes.

Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?

Yes, you can drive on a flat tire, but it is not recommended. Driving on a flat tire will damage both the rim and the car, and it can lead to more serious consequences and pricey repairs. Therefore, unless you are in danger, do not drive on a flat tire.

How Much is a Tire Change?

The cost of a change or tire replacement greatly depends on the vehicle you are driving. Usually, the price can range between $50 and $200 per tire. Apart from this, expect to pay for mounting, which ranges from $15 to $45.

How long does it take to change the wheels of a car at a tire fitting from summer tires to winter tires

The procedure for servicing cars at tire change stations can take a different amount of time. The exact figure depends on the equipment present and the professionalism of the master. On average, changing the wheels of a car at a tire fitting stretches for 20-30 minutes, in the absence of a serious workload of personnel.

Contents

  • 1 How long does it take to change winter tires
  • 2 How long does it take to change tires for summer
  • 3 Life hack to speed up the tire change procedure

In some cases, the installation procedure can take an hour or more. The exact figure will depend on the type of work performed.

  1. Simple reversal of complete wheels. The lightest version for a mechanic. Experienced specialists take no more than 5-10 minutes for the entire car.
  2. Re-shoeing of new skates without balancing. In standard mode, changing tires takes up to 10 minutes / piece.
  3. A full range of services, including balancing, takes 10-15 minutes per wheel.

If you put new skates on the wheels, you need to count on at least an hour. The usual replacement of finished wheels is faster. A savvy master can change all discs in a few minutes.
The need for repairs also affects the efficiency of work. In some situations (vulcanization is required), the procedure may take a day.

How long does it take to change winter tires


Service stations and tire shops in Russia always try to work as quickly as possible. The salary of the master directly depends on the number of clients. Usually the procedure for changing a set of tires from summer to winter does not take more than one hour.

Waiting time can be increased by factors that do not affect the immediate speed of the specialist's work - this is the queue and customer requirements.

How long does it take to change summer tires


Installation of summer tires is more difficult for the master than winter tires. This is argued by the increased rigidity of the rubber. Dense sidewalls are difficult to put on discs, which requires great physical effort.

This difference will not be noticeable to the user. Experienced technicians know how to properly place a product on the machine for fast assembly.

Life hack to speed up the tire change procedure


To facilitate the process of changing tires and speed up service, you can foresee a few points in advance and not wait in a huge queue.

  1. Arrange in advance with the foremen about the time of arrival and the amount of work. If the mechanic is warned about the visit, a window prepared for a specific car is formed at the service station. For complete confidence, you can give the mechanics an advance payment of 30-50% of the total cost of service.
  2. Surcharge for urgency. If you need to change tires immediately, specialists may charge double the rate for high speed work. This works when repairing out of turn. However, in this case, the possible dissatisfaction of other customers can lead to a scandal or even fights.
  3. Pre-replacement. With a sharp change in the weather in the autumn-spring period, a complete emergency occurs at tire shops. At this time, some workshops work around the clock due to many hours of queues. You can avoid this by changing the wheels in advance.

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    7 rubber signals: what the tire says about car problems

    How do you know when tires are completely worn out and it's time to change them? Everything is simple. For summer tires, the limit is 1.6 mm of residual tread depth, and for winter (or all-season tires used in winter) - 4 mm. Modern summer tires can travel from 40,000 to 70,000 km, depending on driving style and vehicle characteristics. An average motorist rolls such a mileage on summer tires in 2-3 seasons. Moreover, wear implies not only a decrease in tread depth. For millions of cycles of deformation, the strength of the carcass and its adhesion to the layers of the rubber compound are violated. In short, every 2-3 years you should buy a new set of tires.

    In the event of irreparable damage to one of the tires and a relatively high total mileage of the kit, it is also worth considering replacing it. Well, or about buying at least a pair of new tires, which, for any type of drive, should be installed on the front axle. We put two tires back - the most decent of the remaining ones.

    What if I don't drive much?

    Many motorists drive only a few thousand kilometers a year. This does not mean that the tires will serve you for several decades. According to Russian requirements (GOST 4754-97), the service life of passenger car tires is 5 years from the date of manufacture. And for example, Continental recommends that all car tires (including the spare tire) older than 10 years old should be replaced with new ones. Therefore, with small runs, you can navigate for ten years. The date of manufacture of the tire is indicated on the sidewall. Usually it is an oval with four numbers. The first two are the ordinal number of the week in the year, the last two indicate the year.

    How to extend the life of tires?

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    How to change the car yourself - detailed instructions

    Tires should be rotated periodically in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations - information on this can be found in the owner's manual.

    We can advise you to use the tires carefully and, most importantly, to store them correctly in the off-season. First of all, during storage, it is important to exclude direct sunlight from hitting the tires, which greatly age the rubber. Tires without rims should be placed vertically, and stacked on rims.

    And before installing tires on a car at the beginning of the season, evaluate their condition. There should be no cracks in the tread and sidewalls. The tire should not be dry, it should remain rubbery and not look like baked plastic.

    Do winter tires last the same amount?

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    Driving on badly worn tires - will I be fined or not?

    Winter tires have a much shorter life span. They almost always fail due to the wear of the treadmill, because the tread of a new tire is 7–8 mm, and only 3–4 mm remain working height. If the tires are studded, then with such wear there are very few metal elements left, and the tire will not provide adequate safety when driving on a winter road.


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