Changing a car tyre, if you watch Formula 1, can take as little as 2.2 seconds if you’re the Red Bull team, but I’m guessing you’re not.

When we say “change a car tyre” usually we mean changing one wheel over for a spare wheel, rather than the tyre itself. We’ll cover that first, but if you want to know how long it takes to change the actual tyre we’ll cover that as well.

How long does it take to change a car tyre (as in, the wheel)?

When I worked as a mechanic the typical time to change a wheel (or corner as we would say) would be 10 minutes.

If you get a flat tyre on the roadside and know what you’re doing it can take around 20 minutes give or take. If you’ve never changed a tyre before then probably a bit longer, and you should be very careful if you don’t know what you’re doing.

This is how:

How to change a car tyre when you get a flat:

1. Preparation (1-2 minutes) – Park the car in a safe location, turn on your hazard lights, and make sure your parking brake is on. Gather all necessary tools and your spare tyre from the boot or underneath.
2. Loosening Lug Nuts (2-5 minutes) – Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tyre. Loosen them but do not remove them completely at this stage.
3. Lifting the Car (2-3 minutes) – Use a jack to lift the car off the ground. Follow the car manufacturer’s instructions for proper jack placement and lifting procedure. The jack point is often a few inches along from the wheel arch and looks like a notch, being a flat spot suitable for taking the weight.
4. Removing the Flat Tyre (2-3 minutes) – Once the tyre is a little way off the ground, finish removing the loosened lug nuts and take off the flat tyre. Place it aside, or underneath the car if you want a bit of safety in case the car drops (which is shouldn’t).
5. Installing the Spare Tyre (2-3 minutes) – Carefully mount the spare tyre onto the wheel hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts as much as possible. Use the lug wrench a little if you feel you can’t tightened the nuts suitably by hand.
6. Lowering the Car (2-3 minutes) – Slowly lower the car back to the ground using the jack.
7. Tightening Lug Nuts (5-10 minutes) – Use the lug wrench to securely tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern. Refer to your car’s manual for the recommended torque specifications. Make sure they are tightened properly to ensure your tyre is safe. If in doubt drive sensibly to your nearest tyre fitted and get a pro to ensure safety.
8. Double-Checking (1-2 minutes) – Recheck the tightness of the lug nuts to ensure they are secure.
9. Stowing Equipment (1-2 minutes) – Put away the jack, lug wrench, and any other tools.
10. Final Inspection (1-2 minutes) – Check the tyre pressure in the spare tire to ensure it’s inflated to the correct level. This might not be possible at the roadside, but at the very least ensure the spare tyre looks suitable inflated.

If you have any concerns make sure you drive safely home or to a safe location. Tyre companies such as Tyroola can come and replace your tyres at home, which is well worth looking into for a fresh set of tyres.

How long does it take to change a tyre on a wheel rim?

Changing the tyre on the rim, also known as tyre replacement or tyre mounting, typically involves removing the old tyre from the rim and installing a new one.

The time required for this process can vary depending on factors such as your experience, the type of tyre, and the equipment available.

If you get a puncture off-roading on Lancelin dunes or some other off-road area of Australia (or on road for that matter) then it’s possible to change a tyre yourself if you have a spare, but you probably won’t have the right equipment though. I’ve had to ghetto fix a tyre on a beach once, with some effort.

Here’s a general overview of the steps involved in switching out one tyre for another on a rim:

1. Safety Precautions – Ensure you have safety gear such as gloves and eye protection. Make sure the vehicle is safely supported and the parking brake is engaged.
2. Remove the Wheel – If the wheel is still on the vehicle, you may need to remove it. This usually involves removing the lug nuts and taking off the wheel.
3. Deflate the Old Tyre – If the old tyre still has air, use a tyre pressure gauge to deflate it completely. Be cautious when removing the valve cap, as some air may release rapidly.
4. Break the Bead – The tyre bead is the edge of the tyre that sits on the rim. Use a tyre bead breaker tool to break the bead on both sides of the tyre. This may require some force.
5. Remove the Old Tyre – Once the bead is broken, use tyre irons or tire spoons to carefully pry the old tyre off the rim. Work your way around the rim until the tyre is completely removed.
6. Inspect the Rim: Examine the rim for any damage or corrosion. Clean the rim if necessary.
7. Mount the New Tyre – Lubricate the tyre bead and rim edge with tyre mounting lubricant to make installation easier. Carefully place the new tyre onto the rim, ensuring it’s properly aligned.
8. Inflate the Tyre – Use a tyre inflator to gradually inflate the new tyre to the recommended pressure. Be cautious not to overinflate.
9. Seat the Bead – Ensure that the tyre bead is seated correctly on both sides of the rim. This may require using a bead seater tool or a high-pressure burst of air.
10. Balance the Tyre – If you have access to a tyre balancing machine, balance the tyre to ensure even wear and a smooth ride.
11. Reinstall the Wheel – If you removed the wheel from the vehicle, reinstall it, and tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to the manufacturer’s specifications.
12. Final Inspection – Double-check the tyre pressure and visually inspect the tyre to ensure it’s properly seated on the rim.

The time required for this process can vary widely based on your experience and the specific tools you have available.

It’s important to take your time and follow safety precautions when changing a tyre on a rim to ensure a safe and secure fit. If you’re unsure about any step of the process, it’s advisable to seek assistance from a professional tyre technician or auto mechanic.