What is the cost of fitting tyres?
The price of fitting new tyres will vary depending on your location, tire size and requirements, such as if you’re having multiple tyres fitted or just a single one following a flat tyre. It may also vary depending if you buy your tyres at the retailer and have them fitted there, or purchase them separately.
How long does it take to change a tyre yourself?
From bumpy potholes to driving over a nail, getting stuck with a flat tyre is an unfortunately common occurrence that all drivers experience at some point. Although it’s best to get a professional to change your tyres, if you’re stuck it is possible to put on a spare one yourself or use a car tyre sealant spray before driving to a garage to get your tyre check out or replaced.
Depending on how confident you are, a punctured tyre can be changed for a spare tyre in less than 30 minutes, but make sure to take your time, and proceed safely through each step. Remember that you must only work on your vehicle in a safe, permitted location and that the vehicle and the jack must be on stable ground, the wheels chocked, the parking brake on, and in gear (or Park for an automatic), so that it cannot roll. Also, your spare wheel must be at the correct pressure, it is important to check the pressure of the spare tire regularly at every safety check with a professional. If you’re concerned, it can be a good idea to practice changing a tire in a secure location, such as when parked at home.
Before you drive anywhere, you should always make sure you have all the things you’ll need to change a spare tyre just in case. Most of these should come with your vehicle, but others are useful extras to have stored in your car trunk for a wide range of potential emergency situations, such as a flashlight or car puncture repair kit.
How far can you drive on a spare tire?
Depending on the type of spare tyre you have, they’re usually not designed to be used for a long time – or at particularly high speeds. Some car models only have space for smaller spare tyres, which shouldn’t be driven over 80 Kph as they have less traction and are less able to handle the road in poor weather. Keep in mind that your spare could also be a different season tyre from the other ones on your car.
Once the spare is fitted, visit a tyre specialist as soon as possible to make sure that the wheel is secure and for an inspection of your damaged tyre. If the spare is a Temporary Use or Space Saver spare, you must comply with the restrictions on use as described in your vehicle handbook. But as a rule, check in with your garage as soon as you’re able to for a full assessment and to replace your flat tyre with a new one.
When should car tyres be replaced?
It is strongly advised to replace your tyres after 10 years. However, if you notice that you tyre is damaged or has reached the legal tread wear limit before this period, it must be replaced. As a general rule of thumb, you should get your tyres checked by a professional every 5-6 years.