So actually, 2 hours is very reasonable. Even if it were 3 hours, it wouldn't be unreasonable either. Tire changes usually only take 30 to 45 minutes. However, this number depends on the equipment you're using, as better tools can make the process much more efficient.
The answer to this question really depends on your car. Most of the cars on the road today are front-wheel drive and some are rear-wheel drive. There is no need to replace all four tires at once. Usually, two at a time are enough. However, all-wheel drive systems are becoming increasingly popular and require that all four tires be replaced at the same time.
For all-wheel drive vehicles, the short answer is yes, but let's find out why. There are exceptions, even for all-wheel drive vehicles. If tires only travel a couple of thousand miles and one needs to be replaced, that's okay, according to Dominick Infante, Subaru's national product communications manager. Plus, if you need to use the small replacement to limp to the nearest repair shop, it's probably not far enough away to cause serious damage.
Remember to rotate the tires because this extends their useful life on any vehicle; but in the case of all-wheel drive vehicles, rotating the tires also ensures that the tread wears evenly and does not put pressure on the transmission. I made an appointment at a specialized tire center and made sure that the new tires I needed were reserved for me. Misaligned tires can cause additional wear and tear on the treads, so you'll have to buy a new set of tires much sooner. If one of the tires is a different size than the others (because three tires are worn and one is new), the computer will take an incorrect reading and the differential will strain too hard.
Mechanical or tire shops can only use more efficient tools and lift vehicles all at once with hydraulic lifters. In my workplace, a dozen tires are replaced every day with the road hazard protection policy. No one is required to buy a suitable tire or three more to make a set. If they don't replace a tire, ask an independent towing company to tow it and take it to a garage that doesn't have criminal practices.
It's also worth knowing how long your new tires will last and when you should replace them. Wheel alignment also ensures that all tires are properly aligned, as having a misaligned one-game tire can be just as problematic, if not more so, than if two aren't aligned. Summer tires in winter cause roads to slip and winter tires, in summer, wear out faster than a hungry child licking the layers of an icebreaker. For example, General Tires has a “replacement tire monitoring” system, in which the tread drawing shows the phrase “Replace the tire” once the tread has worn out up to a certain level.
Thirdly, in this situation, it might have been better to order from Tire Rack and send the tires to one of their local installers. If you are going to assemble the tires on your own, instead of using a tire iron, an impact torque wrench can make the entire process of loosening the tire nuts much faster.
