You need to change the wheels on your car in the spring and autumn. This is what drivers call a tyre change. But what is really meant is a change of wheels. Changing a tyre and changing a wheel are two different jobs that should be done at a shop that specialises in them.
What is the difference between changing a tyre and changing a wheel?
When you change a tire, you take the old tires off the rims and put new tires on the rims. This job is called mounting tires. Once the tyre is on the wheel, the whole thing is balanced before it goes on the car. When you replace worn or damaged tires with new ones, you have to mount them.
Changing the wheels means taking off the old ones and putting on new ones. For example, in the autumn, you might change from summer to winter tires. In technical terms, this job is called changing the wheels. Tire mounting costs more because it takes a lot more work to change tires than it does to change wheels.
Can you do your own tyre mounting or wheel change?
Professionals should mount tires. There are machines that are necessary for mounting and demounting tires and for precise electronic wheel balancing. On the other hand, mounting tires requires specialised knowledge. The safety of the vehicle can only be guaranteed if it has the right technical equipment and the driver knows how to use it.
Many drivers change their own wheels in the spring and autumn. But it takes a lot of work. You also need the right tools to safely lift the car and fix the wheel with the right amount of torque. Because a specialist shop can change your wheels for a good price, it’s usually not worth it to do it yourself.
To drive safely, you need to mount the tires correctly and change the wheels carefully. Small mistakes can cause expensive damage and, in the worst case, an accident. So, professionals should be the ones to mount tires and change wheels in the spring and fall.
What factors affect the price of mounting tires?
The cost of mounting tires can change based on a number of things. When it comes to fitting tires, run-flat tires, wheels with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and extreme low-profile tires are usually more expensive than fitting normal summer and winter tires on steel rims. Costs go up if more work is needed, like adjusting the toe and camber on the wheels.
How Much Do Tyre Mounting Costs Go Up?
Putting tires on a rim costs at least 10 euros per wheel. This usually includes taking off and putting on the tire, setting the right air pressure, electronically balancing the wheel, putting it back on the car and getting rid of the old tire. If you need to do extra work like getting your wheels aligned, it’s definitely worth comparing prices and asking ahead of time how much it will cost. The cost of new tires usually includes the cost of putting them on.
It is best to have a professional do the work of putting on new tires and changing the wheels. You can’t really put tires on without the right tools. It’s usually not worth it to change your own wheels because it doesn’t cost much.