Flat tires are inconvenient. They cause the hassle of carrying the required tools to replace and still delay in your schedule for the day. Taking a car for a tire service might waste more time, especially if you find a queue. That’s why replacing tires is an essential skill for you. It will save you time and agony.
How Long Does It Take to Change a Tire?
When one has the rights tools and skills, it may take 15-30 minutes to change a tire. This time depends on one speed and way of doing it. But for a beginner, it may take up to an hour to finish. Tire centers take more time because of the specific process involved.
Additionally, the time taken to change a tire depends on the vehicle model, the locations and conditions of where you are changing it. For instance, changing a tire under a scorching sun may be unbearable and may take more time or even under the rain. One may take up to 45 minutes to change the tire in a tire center, depending on how busy the shop is.
If you are an expert, doing it yourself may take less than 15 minutes. Therefore, you can change and replace all four wheels in less than an hour. But for a professional car racer, it’s even faster. Their mechanics have to be quick because they are in the race. The mechanics can change all four wheels in 15 minutes.
How Long Does It Take to Change Four Tires and Do Alignment?
A standard car alignment takes an average of one hour for a two-wheel or four wheels, excluding the waiting time. Based on how busy the center is, you may take around 3 hours. If there is too much play on any ball joint, track rod, suspension, it could even take longer as various components need replacement.
Read more: How Far Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
The time taken depends on the age, condition, and style of the car. An older vehicle using shims will take more time for alignment than a brand-new one. Again, it will take more time if the car’s internal components are rusty or too exposed to humidity.
What Involves Alignment?
- The mechanic does a test drive to see how far the wheels are from their natural angle.
- Clips wheel sensors to check the pressure
- Adjusts rear wheel first, then the front wheel if necessary
- Ensures the steering wheel is at the center
- confirms all issues addressed by another driving test
How Long Does It Take to Change a Tire Pressure Sensor for TPMS?
TPMS is an integral part of the valve stem. So, replacing a TPMS is the same as replacing a valve stem. First, you need to dismount the tire and remove the old sensor. Then install a new sensor, remount, inflate the tire, and reprogram the sensor. The whole process takes around 15 minutes for one wheel.
Can I Replace TPMS Myself?
It’s not advisable to replace TPMS by yourself. Though the process is easy and only takes a few seconds, it requires a lot of caution. It may result in unbalanced tires, which deteriorates the stability of your car.
Can I Fix the TPMS Sensor Without Replacing It?
It’s almost impossible to fix TPMS without replacing it. Most of them die when the battery fails. Though it’s easy to cut the module, remove the old battery, and replace it with a new one, you may not seal the module correctly. There is also the likelihood of failure in the future if you fix the TPMS. The module’s design is also meant for replacement once the sensor fails.
Generally, your tire changing time depends on how you regularly maintain your car tires. If you expose the tire parts to humid, they rust, which will call for more changing time. Therefore, always keep your car and replace any component when necessary.
