Informational Guide

How Long Does It Take To Change A Tire?

In this guide, we answer how long it takes to change a tire so that you can get back on the road as soon as possible.

The tires must continually make contact with the road to ensure safety. When one isn't working as it should or becomes flat, you will need to change it. How long does it take to change a tire, and will you get back on the road quickly?  

In this guide, we will answer - how long does it take to change a flat tire? 

Why Is It Important To Change Your Tires? 

If the tires have been damaged or you require newer ones, it’s important to consider and answer - how long does a tire change take? However, you must first know why you need to change them in the first place.  

For starters, worn-down or cracked tires should be fixed immediately as they can compromise your vehicle’s grip on the road, making it more difficult to control. Additionally, a tire blowout might leave you stranded unless you can change your own tire. You can have someone else change it, but that leaves you wondering how long does it take AAA to change a tire. 

Finally, you will want to change your worn-out tires to ensure better stopping and braking ability. If the tires aren’t responding the way they should, you could have a longer stopping time, putting you in more danger.  

auto mechanic changing a tire

When Do You Need To Change Your Tires? (Signs & Symptoms Of Bad Tires) 

  • Excessive Vibration  
    If the tires are vibrating while traveling down paved roads, it's a sign that something is wrong. The tread could be worn unevenly, or you might need to replace them. Don't drive a car that is shaking uncontrollably.  
  • Tire Tread  
    With insufficient tread on the tires, you lose the vital traction needed to keep your vehicle planted on the road. As a result, you might notice skidding or slipping on wet surfaces. The tread should never go below 1/16”. 
  • Damaged Tires  
    Damage can occur in the tread or sidewall because of something you’ve run over. When a puncture occurs, air can leak out, leaving you susceptible to a blowout. Additionally, you don’t want to drive on tires that are bulging or cracked.  
  • Tire Age  
    Tires are only meant to last up to six years. Even if you aren’t driving on the tires, they can wear and dry rot from sitting. Have the tires inspected if they have been on the car for several years.  

Factors That Affect How Long A Tire Change Takes

The Number Of Tires To Be Changed  

How long does it take to get tires changed? It depends on how many you need to have replaced. How long does it take to change 4 tires? You will need more time than if you only had 2 tires replaced. If you are asking, how long does it take to change 2 tires, it’s possible that it would take half the time versus 4 tires.  

The Location Of The Car 

How long does it take Walmart to change a tire? The task itself is going to move faster than if you are changing tires on the side of the road with a portable jack. That’s because the auto repair shops have better equipment to get the job done.

However, you will have to wait for the service appointment and whatever other services you are having performed. How long to change 4 tires and alignment? You will need to allot more time than if you were just having the tires replaced. 

person changing a tire

How Long Does It Take To Change A Tire? (DIY Vs Professional) 

Changing A Tire By A Professional 

How long does a tire change take when you take it to a professional? If you prefer to have your local mechanic or auto repair shop handle the tire replacement, the job itself will be shorter. Each tire should only take a professional mechanic minutes to change. 

However, you will be at the auto repair shop longer than if you changed it yourself. You will need an appointment, or you will be required to wait for the customers that are before you. Additionally, the car needs to be pulled into the shop and put on the professional lift to change the tires.  

Changing A Tire In An Auto Care Center 

At popular auto care centers, you can find speedier service. Places like Discount Tire, Costco, and Walmart specialize in getting vehicles in and out quickly for tire replacement. In fact, some of them are dedicated only to tire service. How long does it take to get your tires changed at these locations? 

If the establishment isn't busy, you could be out with new tires installed within 15 minutes or less. However, you will still need to pick out the tires, pay for the service and wait for any other customers. These aspects can add a lot of time to a simple job.  

Change A Tire With Roadside Assistance 

AAA is the American Automobile Association. This organization might be the largest roadside assistance supplier, but it isn't your only option. You might also have roadside assistance through the dealership where you purchased your vehicle.  

How long does it take to change tires if you are getting roadside assistance? Changing each tire shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. However, you could wait hours for help to arrive.

If there aren’t a lot of customers before you, help could arrive in as little as 30 minutes. It might be faster to change the tire yourself if you have the knowledge needed.   

Changing A Tire On Your Own 

Do you know how long to change a tire if you are on the side of the road? If you have a jack and a spare tire, you should be able to change one flat tire within a few minutes.

However, you might have a longer replacement if you are dealing with multiple tires or don’t have the appropriate equipment. Keep in mind, you should not drive on a spare tire for a very long time. It is meant to be a temporary solution.

Here are the steps to replacing a tire on the side of the road.  

  1. 1
    Find a safe place to park and turn on your hazard lights. 
  2. 2
    Apply a wheel wedge to keep the vehicle from moving. 
  3. 3
    Remove the wheel cover or hubcap. 
  4. 4
    Loosen up the lug nuts. 
  5. 5
    Safely lift the vehicle with your jack. 
  6. 6
    Unscrew the lug nuts and take the wheel off. 
  7. 7
    Put the spare tire in its place. 
  8. 8
    Tighten the nuts by hand. 
  9. 9
    Lower the vehicle and finish tightening the lug nuts. 
  10. 10
    Replace the hub cap. 
  11. 11
    Double-check air pressure in the tire before driving on it to make sure you have the right PSI for your vehicle.  
person changing a tire on the side of the road

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What are some tips to keep your tires in good shape? 

Most importantly, your tires must operate with the appropriate amount of air pressure. Running your tires without the correct amount of air pressure could lead to premature wear and dangerous operation.  

Do you need a wheel alignment after changing tires? 

After new tires are installed, it’s best to have them aligned right away. You don’t want the tires to wear unevenly right after purchasing them. How long does it take to change all 4 tires and get them aligned? Plan to be at the shop for at least an hour. 

Can I just replace 1 tire?  

If you get a flat tire, you can safely ride on the spare until you get to the repair shop. However, you don’t want to have a tire with uneven wear or size from the other three tires installed on your vehicle. The brands can be mismatched as long as the tread depth is similar between the two fronts or two rear tires.  

Can you drive with a flat tire? 

You should never drive on a flat tire. If you must drive a short distance to find a safe place to pull over, go very slowly and turn on your hazard lights. Don’t ever drive a flat tire to the local repair shop.  

Conclusion

How long does it take to change a flat tire? It depends on what equipment is available and whether you are doing the replacement yourself. In ideal conditions, it only takes a few minutes to replace each tire.  

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