SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Tire Repairers and Changers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Alignment Technician
  • Lube Technician
  • Service Technician
  • Tire Buster
  • Tire Changer
  • Tire Installer
  • Tire Repairer
  • Tire Shop Mechanic

What do Tire Repairers and Changers do?

Tire Repairers and Changers are skilled technicians who specialize in maintaining and repairing tires for various types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Their primary responsibilities involve inspecting tires for damage or wear, removing them from vehicles, and either repairing or replacing them as needed. This profession requires a thorough understanding of different tire types, tire pressure monitoring systems, and the techniques necessary to ensure that tires are fitted properly to ensure safety and performance on the road.

In addition to repairing and changing tires, these specialists are responsible for balancing tires to ensure smooth driving and to prevent uneven wear and damage to the vehicle. They often work in automotive service centers, tire shops, or at roadside assistance services. Tire Repairers and Changers must also maintain accurate records of services performed and advise customers on tire maintenance, safety checks, and when to replace tires based on wear and performance metrics. Their role is crucial in ensuring vehicles operate efficiently and safely, ultimately contributing to overall road safety.

What the work actually is

  • Raise vehicles, using hydraulic jacks.
  • Remount wheels onto vehicles.
  • Unbolt and remove wheels from vehicles, using lug wrenches or other hand or power tools.
  • Place wheels on balancing machines to determine counterweights required to balance wheels.
  • Identify tire size and ply and inflate tires accordingly.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities

  • Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Sales and Marketing Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

A normal week

  • Getting Information
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook
  • Word processing software Microsoft Word
  • Data base user interface and query software Recordkeeping software
  • Project management software Project estimation software

Tools

  • Razor knives Bail cutting knives · Curved-point scalpel knives · Taper point knives
  • Awls Heavy duty awls · Pricking awls · Tire probing awls
  • Pry bars Bead seaters · Tire irons · Truck tire spoons
  • Wheel balancing equipment Balancing machines · Computerized tire/wheel balancing equipment
  • Compressed air gun Air spray guns · Tire plug guns

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Tire Repairers and Changers earn in South Africa?

Tire Repairers and Changers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Tire Repairers and Changers do?

Raise vehicles, using hydraulic jacks, Remount wheels onto vehicles and Unbolt and remove wheels from vehicles, using lug wrenches or other hand or power tools.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.