As a car owner, you can be inconvenienced with flat tires or loose treads quite often. And, the only option you have is to replace them. So, how long does it take to get tires changed either at the auto-car service center or by yourself?
You can experience some delays in your schedule if you decide to change your tires yourself. Moreover, taking your car to the tire service center can also take a lot of your time, causing more stress and annoyance. Therefore, tire replacement is a crucial skill you need to have as a driver.
Why It Takes Long to Change Tires
How long does it take to get tires changed? Several reasons determine this question. The most common reason is the size and type of tire you want to replace. Some require special attention when removing them from your vehicle, such as removing the cover of your wheel and hubcap before the operation.
Huge tires have numerous lug nuts, which can take a person additional minutes when tightening and loosening them, unlike the small ones. Therefore, if you have a truck with big tires, it can take you about 35 minutes to replace one of them. It’s otherwise for small tires.
Location of your vehicle is also a reason that can prolong the time you might take to replace them. For instance, it can take you a lot of time to change them if your car is parked along the roadside than when at home. This is because other road users cause unnecessary distractions, thus prolonging the process.
Problems related to the rims is another aspect that can prolong the time you need to change them. Sometimes the rims can be jammed due to gunk. And if that is the issue, then it can be hard to remove them.
If the nuts are stiff, you should lubricate them, and you should wait for some time before you start the replacement operation. Your rims can be damaged if you drive your vehicle on flat tires. Therefore, you should lubricate your rims and always service them to prevent leakage and accumulation of dirt.
If you take your car to a service center and you find them busy, then it’s obvious you will have to wait until it’s your turn to be attended to. Thus prolonging the time needed to replace your car tires. The good thing once the mechanics attend to you, they get the job done in the shortest time possible; you have to be patient.
It is imperative to know how to remove and replace the tires. But most importantly, you must provide regular maintenance through frequent service. This can shorten the amount of time needed to replace them in case of an emergency.
Factors that Determine the Longevity of Changing Tires
The amount of time you need to change them varies with the situation you find yourself in. The factors that determine how long it can take an individual to complete the process. They include;
- Location of your vehicle: It can take you approximately 25 minutes to change a tire at home because your attention is geared towards the process. In contrast, you can take about 35 minutes to complete the same operation at the roadside due to distractions.
- The number of car tires to change: It takes an individual roughly 10 to 25 minutes to replace a single tire and continue with your journey. In rare cases, you might be required to change all four of them at once. If you happen to find yourself in such situations, it can take you almost 55 to 60 minutes.
How Long Does It Take to Get Tires Changed?
According to the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA-US), approximately 9.5 percent of road accidents are related to car or truck tires. Therefore, you are required to replace your tires after every 5 to 6 years. The right time to change them is when you notice that they have low tread depth.
This is a very straightforward process because it does not take long if you are equipped with the right equipment and abundant skills. In addition, you can change them yourself if you have enough strength too. So it can take you about one hour to change all four tires.
Nevertheless, it’s relatively different if you take your car to a service center to do the job. So it can take between 25 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the expertise and experience. But, there is no straight answer to the question as to how long does it take to change a tire?
It can take less than one hour to change them if you are the only customer present. This is because you are being attended to by experts. If you are conducting the operation by the roadside, it can take a few minutes too. So the question is, how long does it take to get a tire replaced?
Apart from having a flat tire, numerous reasons can force you to replace them. Some of these reasons are blisters, low tread depth, and cracked tire walls determine the time needed to replace your tires.
Most car owners are of the view that maintaining a vehicle is a disruption to their normal schedule. The time this operation takes might be quite long for various individuals. But can you risk your life driving a vehicle with damaged tires?
How Long Does It Take to Get Tires Changed by Yourself?
You need to have some basic knowledge of replacing a flat or damaged tire, and it is a fundamental skill that you should learn. You can only know how long this process can take if you understand how to change them. But first, do you know the tools needed for this process?
You need to have an inflated emergency tire, wheel wedges, jack stand, lug wrench, user manual and a piece of solid wood to support the jack. Apart from these, you need to have protective gloves, a flashlight, an emergency triangle and a reflector jacket. Now, are you ready to through the steps of how to change car tires?
Step #1: Find a good spot to park your vehicle
First, you should look for an even ground to park your car. So if you realize that you have a faulty tire, don’t stop. Instead, slow down and drive to a parking lot or beside the road with level ground. And ensure it won’t roll over, and also, you are not blocking other vehicles.
For safety purposes, turn on the hazard or emergency lights to caution other drivers that you in an emergency. Ensure you don’t park it around a corner to prevent further collisions. It is also prudent to use an emergency triangle to warn and apply the emergency brakes.
Step #2: Secure it
This is a very important step to prevent the car from rolling over. So you should pull-up the hand brake and place your gear in a neutral state. Now put the wheel wedges against your car tires to control them.
If you are replacing the front tires, place them behind the rear ones and vice versa. You can also secure your vehicle using a piece of strong wood or big stones. This way, you can be sure that it can’t roll over you.
Step #3: Slacken off the Lug Nuts
This step and the next ones require your undivided attention. Use a lug wrench to turn the lug nuts anti-clockwise. This requires the application of extra force and strength to loosen them. Relax, do not remove the nuts yet.
Nevertheless, some tires are covered with hubcaps, so you should remove them first. You can also read the user manual if there is another tool to use apart from the wrench.
Step #4: Lift the Car
Place the jack under it in a vertical position as instructed by the manufacturer’s manual. After place, the jack in the right frame, support it with a strong wood before you lift it off the ground. Lift your car till the tires are 6.5-inches off the level ground.
Now you can remove all the lug nuts and put them in a safe place, especially your pocket. You should also remove the wheels. This gives you enough space to do the next step.
Step #5: Remove the Damaged Tires
Remove them by grabbing their treads and put it in someplace safe. Mount the new one on the lug bolts. Put back the lug nuts and tighten them using your hands. Lower it gently using a jack and ensure you don’t subject the tires to the whole weight of the vehicle.
Now you can use the wrench once again to tighten the nuts. Double-check to ensure they are completely tight. Remove the jack under the car, and you good to continue with your journey peacefully.
Tips on How and When to Change Tires
- Examine the depth of the treads for safety purposes. The minimum legal depth required in some states is 2/32 per inch.
- Check the age of your tires for brittles because the cords used to reinforce become weak with time.
- Inspect them for cracks and blisters along the sidewalls to prevent developing leakages. Check if there are some grooves too.
- Allow your wheels to be aligned and prolong their life while driving on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to get 4 tires changed?
It is important to get new tires for your car to have a safe drive on the tarmac road. If they don’t have proper tread, then you at risk of getting an accident. Fortunately, it is quite easy and simple to install new ones.
You can do it yourself, but you probably wonder how long it can take to complete this process. No one wants to be separated from their car for a long time. If possible, you should change all four of them simultaneously unless one of them has a puncture.
Nevertheless, it can take approximately 50 to 60 minutes to install all of them on average automobiles such as small cars. Ensure you are using similar brands and model to prevent instability.
Do I need to do an alignment before or after installing new tires?
Yes, you should, but after mounting new ones. Though it’s not mandatory, it is greatly recommended. If you align your wheels, it enables you to have a smooth drive and wear uniformly.
Misalignment can cause wear and tear, and you will be forced to purchase a new set, which is quite expensive. Therefore, allow the professionals to conduct wheel alignments for you and save that extra cash for another purpose.
How long does it take to change flat tires?
This procedure is simple if you have the correct tools and necessary skills; thus, it can take you almost one hour to install all of them. If it is only one tire, you can take almost 25 minutes to do it at home.
In contrast, if you happen to have a flat tire by the roadside, it is approximately 35 minutes or less. However, the time you can use always vary and depend on the circumstance you find yourself in.
How much distance can I drive with a faulty tire?
Therefore, if you happen to have a flat tire, slow down and ensure that your tire has some air left. You can cover several kilometers before damaging the wheels. And if you can’t make it to a service center, find an even and secure ground and replace it.
Fortunately, if you have a pressure pump, inflate it. This can allow you to drive for a few miles. It is important to check your mileage, although that varies in different vehicles.
Recap: How Long Does It Take to Get Tires Changed?
The amount of time you need to replace the tires depending on your skills, available equipment and parking place. It can take about one hour to replace all four tires. But if you do alignment, then you should add more time to your estimate.
You don’t have to wait for a long time before getting your vehicle back on the road. And you will have a smooth and comfortable drive. Therefore, getting your tires replaced should be routine maintenance, such check for depth of the treads, punctures and grip. Seek professional assistance from the nearest car workshop to get the job done. Have a comfortable and safe drive!
