Tire change costs: You should expect these prices & how you can save money

How much does a tire change cost?

Many drivers change their tires twice a year – from winter to summer tires in spring and vice versa in autumn. The question often arises as to whether it is worth having the tires changed in a garage or whether you should do it yourself. Prices vary depending on the scope of the service, the workshop and the type of tire change.

In this blog, you can find out everything about the current costs for changing tires, the differences between changing tires and wheels and tips on how you can save money when changing tires.

Tire change vs. wheel change – what's the difference?

The term “tire change” is often incorrectly used to describe two different processes. However, there is a significant difference:

• Wheel change: This simply involves replacing tires that are already mounted on rims. This is the classic change between summer and winter tires.
• Tire change with mounting: Here, the tire is removed from the rim and a new one is mounted. The wheel is then balanced to avoid imbalances.

While a wheel change is quick and comparatively inexpensive, a complete tire fitting is more expensive as it is more complex and requires special equipment.

What does a tire change in the workshop cost?

The cost of a tire change depends on several factors:

• Type of tire change (wheel change or tire fitting)
• Type of workshop (independent workshop, authorized workshop or tire dealer)
• Additional services (such as balancing, tire pressure check or storage)

Service	Costs (approx.)
Wheel change (changing tires on rims)	20 – 50 €
Mounting new tires on rims & balancing	50 – 100 €
Adjust tire pressure monitoring system	5 – 20 €
Storing tires (4 per season)	30 – 70 €

A simple wheel change usually costs between €20 and €50, while fitting a new tire to the rim, including balancing, costs between €50 and €100. If the vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), additional costs may be incurred for programming.

Many garages offer complete packages that include wheel changing, balancing and TPMS adjustment – this can be cheaper than individual services.

Can you change tires yourself?

You can change a wheel yourself with a little practice. You will need:

• A jack
• A torque wrench
• A wheel cross or an impact wrench
• Gloves and chalk to mark the tires

If the wheels are already mounted on rims, the change can be carried out in around 30 to 60 minutes. This can save around 20 to 50 euros per tire change.

When should you not change the tires yourself?

In some cases, it makes more sense to have the tires changed at a garage:

• If your vehicle has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that needs to be reprogrammed after the change.
• If you do not have a safe way to lift the vehicle in a stable manner.
• If you need to fit new tires on rims, as this can only be done with professional machines.
• If vibrations occur after the tire change, the wheel should be balanced in the workshop (approx. 10 - 15 € per wheel).

When should you change your tires?

The recommended time for changing tires is based on the so-called “O to O” rule (only works in German):

• Winter tires: From October to Easter (DE: “Ostern”)
• Summer tires: From April to October

What is the minimum tread depth required?

The legally prescribed minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. However, experts recommend the following for greater safety:

• Summer tires: At least 3 mm
• Winter tires: At least 4 mm

💡 Tip for a quick tread depth check:

Take a 1 euro coin and insert it into the tire tread. If the golden edge of the coin disappears completely, you have at least 3 mm of tread – good for summer tires.

For winter tires, you can use the 2-euro coin. If the silver edge no longer disappears completely into the tread, you should change the tires soon.

If the tread of the tires is below these values, a new set of tires should be considered.

Is it worth storing tires?

If you don't have space, you can have your tires stored at a garage. The cost is between 30 and 70 euros per season.

Advantages of storing tires:

✔ Space-saving, as no storage space is required
✔ Tires are stored under optimal conditions
✔ Often includes cleaning and condition check

Disadvantages of tire storage:

✘ Additional annual costs
✘ Tires are not immediately available if they are needed spontaneously

If your tires are already badly worn or your car is not going to be used for much longer anyway, it may be more economical to consider selling the vehicle.

When is it worth selling your car instead of replacing the tires?

If your vehicle already has older tires and there are also high repair costs, selling your car may be the more sensible solution. Especially with old cars that will soon have other defects, it is worth considering investing in new tires.

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Conclusion: Tire change costs & savings tips

A tire change at the garage costs between 20 and 100 euros, depending on the service. If you change the tires yourself, you can save money, but you should make sure you have the right equipment and safety measures. However, if further repairs are due or the change is no longer worthwhile, selling may be the better option.

If you want to sell your car, CashforCars.de is the right contact for a quick, safe and uncomplicated transaction.

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