In spring and autumn, the wheels of a car must be changed. Drivers often refer to this as a tire change. But what is actually meant is a wheel change. Changing a wheel and changing a tire are two different tasks, both of which should be performed at a specialist workshop.
What Is The Difference Between Changing A Wheel And Changing A Tire?
When changing a tire, the tires are removed from the rims and new tires are mounted on the rims. This work is called tire mounting. After the tire is mounted, the entire wheel is balanced before it is mounted on the vehicle. Tire mounting is required when worn or damaged tires are replaced with new ones.
During a wheel change, the wheels are completely replaced on the vehicle, for example in the fall when changing from summer to winter tires. In technical jargon, this work is called changing the wheels. Since the amount of work involved in changing tires is much higher than in changing wheels, tire mounting is correspondingly more expensive.
Can Tire Mounting Or A Wheel Change Be Done By Yourself?
Mounting tires is a task for professionals. On the one hand, machines for mounting and demounting tires and a machine for precise electronic wheel balancing are indispensable, and on the other hand, specialized knowledge is required for tire mounting. Only with the appropriate technical equipment and the knowledge of how to do what, the driving safety of the vehicle can be guaranteed.
The wheel change in spring and autumn is carried out by many motorists themselves. However, the effort involved is considerable. In addition, appropriate tools are required to safely jack up the car and fix the wheel with the correct torque. In view of the favorable prices in a specialist workshop for a wheel change alone, it is generally not worthwhile to carry out the wheel change yourself.
Proper mounting of the tires and a carefully performed wheel change are a prerequisite for safe driving. Small mistakes can lead to costly damage and, in the worst case, to an accident. Mounting tires and changing wheels in spring and fall therefore belong in the hands of professionals.
What Does the Cost of Tire Mounting Depend on?
Tire mounting prices depend on several factors and can vary. Tire fitting prices are often higher for certain tires and wheels such as run-flat tires, wheels with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and extreme low-profile tires than for the fitting of normal summer and winter tires on steel rims. If additional work such as wheel alignment with toe and camber adjustment is added, the costs increase.
How High Are The Tire Mounting Costs?
Putting tires on a rim costs from about 10 euros per wheel upwards. This usually includes the removal and mounting of the tire, setting the correct air pressure, electronic balancing and subsequent mounting of the wheel on the vehicle, as well as the disposal of the old tire. It is definitely worth comparing prices and asking in advance about the cost of additional work such as a wheel alignment, if this is required. Often a mounting of new tires is already included in the purchase price for the tires.
It is advisable to have new tires mounted and wheels changed at a specialized workshop. Mounting tires is practically impossible without the special machines. And the cost of a wheel change is usually so low that it is not worth doing it yourself.