What a Coats tire changer does
A Coats tire changer is a machine that removes a tire from a wheel rim and installs a new one in its place. Coats is the brand name — the company has made tire-changing equipment since 1946, and their machines are standard in most tire shops, dealerships, and service stations across the United States. When a technician puts your car on a lift and removes your old tire, they are usually using a Coats machine or one very similar to it.
The machine clamps the wheel, breaks the bead (the seal between tire and rim), and uses a rotating arm to peel the old tire off and slide the new one on. This takes a few minutes per tire. Without a tire changer, the job would be done by hand with levers and would take much longer and risk damaging the wheel.
You do not order or buy a Coats tire changer yourself — it is equipment the shop owns. What matters to you is whether the shop has one, because shops without tire-changing equipment cannot install new tires or swap seasonal tires for you.
Key Takeaways
- Coats tire changers are machines found in most tire shops and dealerships that remove old tires from wheels and install new ones.
- A shop with a Coats machine can change your tires in minutes; shops without one will send you elsewhere or take much longer.
- You pay the shop for the tire change service, not for the Coats machine itself — the machine is part of the shop's equipment.
- Tire shops, chain retailers like Discount Tire and Firestone, and new-car dealerships all use Coats or equivalent machines as standard.
Where you encounter Coats machines
Any shop that changes tires regularly will have a Coats machine or a competitor's equivalent. This includes independent tire shops, national chains like Discount Tire and Firestone, Costco tire centers, and new-car dealerships. If you call ahead to ask whether a shop can change your tires the same day, you are really asking whether they have a tire changer and whether they have an opening in their schedule.
Smaller shops or shops in rural areas may have older Coats models or machines from other manufacturers, but the job is the same. The brand matters far less than whether the shop has the equipment at all. A few very small shops or mobile tire services may use manual methods, which take longer but still work.
What happens during a tire change with a Coats machine
When you bring your car in for a tire change, the technician will mount your wheel on the Coats machine. The machine has a turntable that spins and a clamping system that holds the wheel steady. The technician enters the wheel size into the machine (or the machine detects it), and the arm does most of the work from there.
First, the machine breaks the bead — it applies pressure around the edge of the tire to separate it from the rim. Then a rotating arm with a curved blade peels the tire off one side of the wheel. The technician removes the old tire by hand, positions the new one, and the machine's arm slides it back onto the rim. Finally, the machine inflates the tire to the correct pressure. The whole process takes three to five minutes per tire.
Modern Coats machines have digital displays and can store settings for different wheel sizes, which speeds up the work if you are changing multiple tires at once. Some machines also balance the tire as part of the process, though balancing is often a separate step.
Tire change costs and what is included
A tire change at a shop with a Coats machine typically costs between $15 and $25 per tire, though prices vary by location and shop. This is the labor cost for removing the old tire and installing the new one. The cost of the new tires themselves is separate.
Some shops bundle tire changes with other services. If you buy four new tires, the shop usually includes the change and balance in the price. If you bring your own tires or have them shipped to the shop, you will pay the per-tire labor fee. Shops may also charge extra for tires that are difficult to change — very large tires, run-flat tires, or wheels with special finishes sometimes cost more.
Ask the shop upfront what the tire change fee covers. Most shops include mounting, balancing, and disposal of the old tire. Some charge separately for balancing or disposal, so it is worth confirming before you commit.
Seasonal tire swaps and Coats machines
Swapping between summer and winter tires is one of the most common uses for a tire changer. If you keep two sets of wheels — one with summer tires and one with winter tires — the shop will remove your summer wheels and install your winter wheels using the Coats machine. This is faster and cheaper than buying new tires because you are just moving tires you already own between wheels.
A seasonal swap costs less than a full tire change because you are not buying new tires. Shops typically charge $15 to $25 per wheel for the swap labor, plus a small fee for balancing if the wheels have not been balanced since last season. If you store your off-season tires at the shop, ask whether they charge a storage fee — some do, some do not.
Scheduling your swap in advance helps. Shops get busy at the start of winter and summer, and having an appointment means you will not wait as long for the machine to be free.
What to do if a shop does not have a Coats machine
If a small shop or mobile service does not have a tire changer, they can still change your tires by hand using levers and tools, but it takes longer and carries a higher risk of damaging the wheel or tire. Hand changes can take 20 to 30 minutes per tire instead of a few minutes.
Your best option is to call ahead and ask whether the shop has a tire changer. Most shops will say yes. If they do not, ask whether they can order your tires and have them changed at a partner location, or ask for a referral to a shop nearby that has the equipment. Many independent shops partner with larger tire retailers for jobs they cannot do in-house.
If you are in a remote area and no shop with a tire changer is nearby, a hand change is still possible, but expect to pay more for the labor and to wait longer. Some mobile tire services carry portable tire changers, which are smaller versions of shop machines, so that is another option to ask about.
Tire changer maintenance and shop quality
A well-maintained Coats machine is reliable and fast. A poorly maintained one can damage wheels or tires. When you choose a shop, you are partly choosing whether they keep their equipment in good condition.
Signs of a well-run shop include machines that are clean, technicians who work quickly and confidently, and wheels that come off without visible scratches or marks. If a shop's machine seems slow, makes unusual noises, or leaves marks on your wheels, that is a sign the equipment needs service or the technician needs training.
You cannot inspect the machine yourself, but you can ask the shop how often they service their equipment or read online reviews that mention the quality of the tire change. Shops that invest in maintaining their machines tend to have better customer reviews overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own tires to a shop with a Coats machine?
Yes. Most shops will mount and balance tires you provide, and they will charge you the per-tire labor fee (usually $15 to $25) plus a balancing fee if balancing is not included. Some shops have a policy against outside tires, so call ahead to confirm.
Does a Coats machine balance tires automatically?
Some newer Coats machines can balance tires as part of the mounting process, but many shops use a separate balancing machine. Ask the shop whether balancing is included in their tire change price or if it costs extra.
How long does a tire change take with a Coats machine?
Mounting and balancing one tire typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. Changing all four tires usually takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on how busy the shop is and whether the machine needs to be adjusted between tires.
What is the difference between a Coats machine and other tire changers?
Coats is the most common brand, but Hunter, Hofmann, and other manufacturers make similar machines. They all do the same job — remove and install tires — and the differences are mostly in speed and features. The brand matters less than whether the shop has a machine at all.
Do I need to schedule a tire change in advance?
Not always, but it helps during busy seasons. Shops can usually fit in a tire change the same day if you call in the morning, but scheduling ahead guarantees a time slot and means you will not wait as long.