Without tires, a car cannot go anywhere. Like all the other essential components of your car, your tires need TLC and proper handling. You need to do regular maintenance to avoid trouble down the line. Depending on your level of technical expertise or willingness to work on your car, you could hire someone to do it for you or simply DIY. It’s up to you.
The good news is that you have several options to choose from when it comes to checking the condition of your tires. You could check for tread wear, pinholes, air pressure, and the tire’s general condition. All of these are easy to check but it’s always a good idea to take your car to a mechanic who’ll use professional tools and equipment to check your tires.
In addition to tire maintenance, there are many other costs that go into being a car owner. There’s the time you need to spend taking your car for regular check-ups. Just like you need to go for an annual physical, your car requires regular check-ups as well. Changing a tire though is one of the easiest and quickest car maintenance tasks.
Normal tire service is simple and affordable. But, changing your tire can be expensive depending on whether you’re doing it yourself or you will hire someone else to do it for you. If you’re reading this, then you probably want to know how long it takes to change a tire specifically so you can decide which option to go with, DIY or hire help?
If you choose to do it yourself, it’ll probably take you about an hour to change your tire. But, if you get a professional to do it for you they’ll get the job done much faster than that because they have more experience and better tools than you.
One of the best ways to avoid the cost of changing your tires is to perform regular tire maintenance. This will prevent tire damage and malfunctions that can cost time and money to fix. Making sure your tires are constantly inflated properly will also reduce the amount of gas you use while driving while providing you with a smooth ride every time. Of course, optimal tire rotation will also guarantee longer tire life while reducing the need for repairs.
Quick Navigation
How to Check Your Car Tires?
You must check your tires regularly for signs of damage that may necessitate repair. You can do this on your own at any time. Most people will block off an hour or so on the weekends and there are many methods that you can use to do this.
The first and the easiest thing to do would be to check your tire’s air pressure. Do this at least once a month for the best results. Next, check your tire’s tread wear by doing the penny test. Alternatively, you can use tread wear indicators or a tread depth gauge.
The penny test is the simplest and most affordable method because all you need is a penny which you’ll place between your thumb and forefinger. If the tire tread covers the head part of the coin then your tires are still good. If not, you may be due for a tire change.
When Should You Replace the Tires?
In addition to wanting to know how long it takes to change a tire, most people are also interested in finding out when it should be done. There’s no one size fits all answer to this question. Suffice to say you can reach an estimate based on a number of different factors. For instance, it’ll depend on what kind of driver you are, the road condition, weather conditions as well as the design of the tires and how they handle. All of these factors will determine the lifespan of your car’s tires.
In addition to your car model and the type of tires it uses, you must also consider the impact, expected tread life and your driving style. The rubber material that your tires are made from typically wears out faster when driven on pavements. Tires will also wear out faster if you’re a fast driver.
Other factors that can diminish your tire’s lifespan is driving below recommended pressure levels or driving with wheels that are out of alignment. You’ll pay more to fix these problems in the long run and you’ll find that your car is running out of gas faster than usual.
Look out for tire rotation as well because if your tire doesn’t rotate regularly then it’ll be more susceptible to wear and tear, particularly the front tires. That’s because front tires bear the majority of your car’s weight which is why they tend to wear out faster.
There’s no exact answer to how long your car’s tires will last but there are undeniable signs that will tell you when your tires need replacing. It’s also good to know which actions affect tire performance and lifespan so you can treat your car better.
For the best results, experts recommend doing a thorough examination of your tires at least once per year for the first five years of car ownership. This should be done by professionals as part of your car’s annual check-up. That’s because professionals will use proper tools to get the job done right and make sure no further damage is inflicted on the tires.
If you drive your car for 10 years without any incident, you still need to check your tires for natural wear and tear that happens as a result of regular use. In fact, most experts recommend replacing your tires every 10 years just to be on the safe side. Even if it seems like they’re working as usual, you should still change your tires when the time comes in order to avoid costly problems down the line.
Remember that car tires are crucial to your vehicle’s performance. That’s why you must prioritize proper handling and have them checked regularly to ensure appropriate maintenance and help to extend their lifespan.
Dealing with car trouble? Contact Towing Less for all your tire related needs, whether it’s to do a wheel alignment, check tires or change them.