How Long Does It Take to Change Tires?

Changing car tires is an inevitable practice. This is because you may run into a flat tire while driving and that requires you to spend some time to fix the problem before you can proceed with your journey. That explains why there are about 200 million passenger tire replacements purchases every year. Then, how long does it take to change tires?

A tire change can take 15 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on your speed and skill level. Most vehicle owners prefer using all-season tires that can withstand different weather conditions. Other drivers prefer weather-specific tires to accommodate a better experience on the road and all that takes the same time to change.

There is so much to uncover when it comes to changing tires. You need to know how to change a flatvehicle has if you are installing new tires. Therefore, this article will help you with all the information you want rearding changing tires.

Can I Change My Own Tires?

You can change your own tires. Practice, knowledge, and skill are the two crucial ingredients needed to change your tires successfully. Paying a professional is the route most people prefer to take. It’s probably because they don’t want to do the dirty work or because the help is within reach. But what happens if you are in the middle of nowhere and encounter a flat tire or a tire burst?

Every driver should know how to change a tire. No one looks forward to the waiting around, travel time, and inconvenience of taking your car to the garage.

Changing car tires shouldn’t be daunting. If you have the right tools, physical strength, and a bit of confidence, you can change your own tires.

How Long Does It Take to Install 4 New Tires?

On average, one should take about 15 minutes to change one tire. Therefore, it would take about 60 minutes or more to change all four tires.

Provided you have a car jack, a spare tire, and a bit of skill, it shouldn’t take too long to change one tire, let alone four.

It’s, however, advisable to have a mechanic or tire expert change your tires. This is not only safe, but the mechanics have enough experience to weed out other problems. They can fix the issues and ultimately ensure your car runs at optimum performance. They have had enough practice to change four tires in less time than it would take you.

How Long Does It Take to Change 6 Tires?

Variations in speed and skill levels influence the time one can take to change six tires. An experienced driver can change one tire in about 15 to 30 minutes. Therefore, it would take them about 90 minutes to 180 minutes to change six tires.

Is your appointment due for your routine tire change? Are you planning to set off on a long-distance journey and need all your tires switched? If yes, here is how long it takes for various professionals and drivers to change six tires.

• A tire professional can take 5 to 15 minutes to change one tire and 30 minutes to 90 minutes to change six tires
• In an auto care center, it would take 45 to 60 minutes to change one tire and 4.5 to 6 hours to change six tires
• Roadside assistance can take less than an hour to change six tires.

Note that the circumstances surrounding your need for a tire change can dictate how little or much time you take to change your tires. If your car is stuck in a ditch, for example, you may first want to get your vehicle on a flat area before starting the process of changing the tires. Thus, the tire change process will be longer.

How Long Does It Take to Install 2 Tires?

If you are the type of driver who’s good with tools, it can take you 30 to 40 minutes to change two tires. If, however, you are yet to perfect your tire-changing skills, you may take an hour to two hours to change both tires.

Often, you need a tire change, but there’ isn’t a tire service center or a tire expert you can call nearby. In this case,  it’s time to take business into your own hands, literally. Roll up your sleeves, get your spare tire and jack from the tire compartment, and start changing your tires.

Provided you have the right tools and know how to change tires, the process should be a walk in the park.

Essential tools you will need to change your tires include;

• An inflated spare tire
• An Amvia Scissor car Jack
• A wheel brace or lug wrench
• An extension bar
• Wheel wedges
• Alignment studs
• Instruction manual (optional)

Other convenient tools you may need include, A flashlight, worker’s gloves, wheel lock, and emergency triangle.

How Long Can You Drive on A Flat Tire?

While it’s never a good idea to proceed with driving on a flat tire, the unwritten rule is that you can only cover a maximum of 70 miles at a slow pace of about 50 miles per hour.

What would happen if you drove for a long distance with a flat tire? You risk irreversible damage to your vehicle’s rims and other intricate systems. Even after the flat tire gets repaired, if it endured too much structural damage, it will negatively impact vehicle control, which could lead to an accident.

According to a report by the NHTSA, there are over 400 fatalities and 10,200 non-fatal injuries that occur annually due to car crashes caused by flat tires and tire bursts.

Can A Car Sit on A Flat Tire Overnight?

Your car can sit on a flat tire throughout the night without experiencing too much damage. While this is not encouraged, specific circumstances could lead to a slow puncture that may compromise the condition of your tires.

• A flat tire can occur because of reasons such as;
• Extremely high temperatures
• Poor sealing
• Mounting irregularities
• Valve stem issues

Fix a flat tire as soon as it occurs. Note, the longer your car sits on a flat tire, the more vulnerable it is to damage. Your car’s rims cannot withstand its weight without the tires present. Allowing your vehicle to sit with a puncture overnight is one thing. But if the duration goes beyond 24 hours, the rims may bend and suffer damage.

How to Change a Flat Tire

If you are a new driver or just bought your first car, you probably know nothing about changing tires. Assuming you have all the tools, here is a step-by-step process of changing a flat tire.

1. Park the car in a flat area, a safe distance away from other cars

If you noticed a flat tire in the garage or at home, the stage is already set to start switching the tires. If, however, you saw a flat tire while on the road, find a secluded spot that’s flat and away from traffic.

Turn on emergency lights and set up your emergency triangles about four meters away to warn oncoming drivers and make them aware of your presence.

2. Secure your car

To ensure the car does not move as you change the tires, switch the gear to a neutral position. After pulling up the handbrake, set the tire wedges against the tires, leaving out the one you want to remove. Use heavy stones or wooden blocks in the absence of tire wedges.

3. Unscrew the lug nuts

Using a lug wrench, twist anticlockwise to loosen the lug nuts. Do not unscrew them until they come off. 

4. Raise the car

Place the car jack under the vehicle close to the affected tire.  Make sure the jack is in a vertical position. Turn the jack until the car is about 6 inches high. At this point, you can completely remove the lug nuts and place them together somewhere safe and within reach.

5. Remove the old tire

Grip the tire on the right and left sides and lay it flat beside you.

6. Install the new tire

Put the new tire right where the old tire was. Use your hands to screw the nuts back on loosely. Lower the jack at least until the tire touches the ground. Use a wrench to tighten the nuts and then completely remove the jack.

How Long Should Tires Last?

The average set of tires should last for about 4 to 5 years, which narrows down to about 60,000 to 75,000 miles before needing to be changed.

How long your tires last depends on several factors. They include;

1. Brand

Different manufacturers use different ingredients to make tires. Government standards require that all tires last for at least 60,000 miles. However, some brands make tires that can last much longer. Top brands like Firestone confidently offer 80,000-mile warranties or more.

Note that winter, summer, and all-season tires may have varying life spans because they have different wear and tear resistance levels.

2. Type of Car

Trucks and SUVs are heavier and therefore put more pressure on tires. Such tires may last shorter than the tires of a smaller car like, say, a Sedan.

3. Driving Technique

How do you drive? How often do you drive? Do you slow down when crossing speed bumps, or do you straight out ram through them? The way you handle your car directly affects how long your tires last.

Your tires will last longer if you are a careful driver who avoids potholes and slows down to cross speed bumps.  If you drive fast, even on rough roads, your tires may not last as long as expected.

4. Where you Frequent

If you frequently travel to the countryside, chances are you drive on rough roads more than you drive on tarmac roads, and the temperatures there are cooler. If you frequently drive in the cities and towns, all the roads are tarmac, and the temperatures here are significantly higher.

Driving on rough roads can limit the life span of your tires. On the other hand, driving in cooler temperatures could mean reduced tire pressure. Low tire pressure results in flat tires and under-inflation.

Higher temperatures cause the tarmac to warm up, thus increasing friction between the road and your tires. This could prove dangerous, especially if your tires are underinflated or cracked.

Whether you live in the countryside or in the city, avoid speeding through gravel roads and potholes to get the most out of your tires.

5. Maintenance

Practicing proper tire maintenance can increase the lifespan of your tires.  Part of tire maintenance requires you to;

1. Check your tire pressure monthly. All tires have the appropriate pressure inscribed somewhere on the tire. Use this as a guide to know how much tire pressure is proper.
2. Regularly rotate your tires. For every 5000 to 7000 miles, rotate your tires.
3. Go for wheel balancing and alignment. Irregular tread wear happens owing to failure to balance your wheels.
4. Inspect the tires. Thorough inspection aids in isolating irregularities on tires like cracks, uneven wear, low tread depth, and air bubbles.

Be sure to have a professional conduct tire maintenance. Irrespective of how long you have been a driver, you are safer when an experienced professional inspects your car, particularly the tires.

6. Tire Age

Rubber can tough out a lot of resistance. However, rubber can deteriorate over time and with constant use. Generally, if you drive your car frequently, you need to get new tires every 6 to 10 years. If you insist on using old tires, you will experience issues like tread separation and tire blowouts.

How Much Does It Cost to Put New Tires on A Car?

A question that most people evade yet must come to terms with eventually. Tires can cost an arm and a leg. Not to mention other additional costs that accompany new tire purchases. The good news here is that you only need to buy tires after about four to six years of use. This is enough time for you to gradually set money aside to cover the tire costs when the time for a complete tire switch comes.

Here’s how much it will cost you to have new tires installed on your car to paint a clear picture.

How much do new tires cost;

• The cheapest tires cost an average of $50 to $150 each
• Average priced tires cost about $100 to $300 each
• High performance or specialty off-road tires can cost upwards of $300 to $1000 each

Lower-priced tires are likely to develop faults and need changing sooner than average or high-end tires. Be open to spending slightly more to purchase quality Michelin passenger tires, for example, that guarantee value for money.

Look out for regular discounts, sales and rebates from tire stores, established garages, and online tire shops to lower your costs. Manufacturers often hand out discount codes and seasonal deals to car owners.

How Long Does It Take to Change Tires? Final Say

Tires are the unsung heroes of all major car parts. They keep you on the road rolling on and on for hundreds of miles needing a switch every few years.

You probably didn’t know that when you drive with the right set of tires, it directly affects how well you drive and also improves passenger comfort. Good tires also enhance fuel economy and guarantee your safety.

Above is a comprehensive guide on how long it takes to change tires, plus additional valuable tips surrounding the topic.