How Long Does It Take to Change Four Tires?
3 Answers
Generally, it takes about an hour to change four tires at a professional repair shop or a 4S store. If you change the tires yourself, it takes about 20 minutes per tire. Most car owners should replace their tires within 30,000 to 50,000 kilometers, while those who drive less frequently may replace their tires every few years. Tire usage precautions: 1. Avoid excessive tire pressure: Each car manufacturer has specific regulations for tire pressure. Please follow the indicated values and never exceed the maximum. Excessive pressure concentrates the vehicle's weight on the center of the tread, leading to rapid wear. External impacts can easily cause damage or even tread bursts, excessive tension, tread delamination, and groove bottom cracking, reducing tire grip and braking performance. 2. Avoid insufficient tire pressure: Insufficient tire pressure can cause overheating. Low pressure results in uneven tire contact with the ground, tread or ply delamination, groove and shoulder cracking, ply breakage, rapid shoulder wear, shortened tire lifespan, abnormal friction between the bead and rim, bead damage, or even tire separation from the rim or blowouts. It also increases rolling resistance, fuel consumption, and affects vehicle handling, potentially leading to traffic accidents in severe cases.
The time it takes to change four tires really depends on how you do it. When I DIY, I found the whole process takes about one to one and a half hours. If you have all the tools ready, like a jack, wrench, and torque bar, you can proceed smoothly: first loosen the bolts, lift the car to remove the wheel, install the new tire, and tighten the bolts—remember to use the diagonal method to prevent wobbling. For first-timers, it might take up to two hours because unfamiliarity slows things down, and mistakes are more likely, like not tightening the bolts enough, which can cause instability while driving. If you include wheel balancing, add another 15 minutes to ensure even wear and a smooth ride. I recommend choosing a free afternoon, taking your time, and prioritizing safety.
From a professional service perspective, changing four regular tires at our shop usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Having lifts and power tools makes a huge difference in speeding up the process. The procedure includes removing old wheels, mounting new tires, tightening bolts, checking pressure and balance – these one-stop services ensure your car is road-ready immediately. Time factors include tire brands and vehicle models, for instance compact cars are quicker while SUVs take slightly longer due to larger wheels. I always remind owners to schedule off-peak hours to avoid queues, saving both time and hassle.
