Is my tire okay and what can I do about my wheel?

[ggnoob]

If you are in a hurry and want to skip over the story, look at the picture below. My questions are...how bad is that damage to my tire and what can I do about fixing the damage to my wheel?

Recently bought my first Audi and when it needed it's first wash, I was torn. Everybody talks bad about those automatic tunnel washes, but they'd always been good to my GTI and my wife's GLI. I know I should wash it myself but there's so many times I want to wash my car where I don't feel like spending the time. Anyhow, so the first wash I took to a wash bay and tried to just spray it clean. It was still dirty after I got home and I remembered why I stopped trying to wash my car that way. It was either hand wash or automatic touch (touchless just never does a good job for me).

I gave in and brought my car to the new automatic tunnel wash nearby. I brought it there a few times and the cheaper $7 wash did a great job. Today, when trying to enter the moving track, I was apparently not lined up perfectly and I felt the shift as my car moved into position. After the wash, I got out and noticed a scratch/chip taken out of my wheel and noticed the damage to my tire right next to it.

Here's the damage:

For reference, I have the 2016 S3 with the Black Optic package. Less than 3k miles on the car.

I went in and filed a report with the assistant manager and went back an hour later when the manager was in and talked to him. We drove my car up to the moving track to try to line up the damage and even watched the video of my car entering the wash. To me, it was clear that there was a bolt that would have caused the damage to my wheel. The only part that wasn't clear was the damage to the tire. The manager insisted that because the damage to the wheel and the tire most likely happened at the same time and that it seemed impossible to have gotten the tire damage from the car wash, that the car wash did not cause the damage. Because it's a Sunday and a holiday weekend, there seems to be no open shops until Tuesday. On Tuesday, I'll stop by a tire shop and get an opinion on my tire and I will also be stopping by my Audi dealer (for an unrelated reason) and will ask them for opinions on both the tire and the wheel. The car wash manager told me to report back to him with what I find.

So because I can't get my tire/wheel looked at until Tuesday, I just wanted to ask all of you...should I be worried about that damage to the tire? Is there any hope to cheaply repair the damage to the wheel?

Unless this car wash will promise to own up to the damage and replace my wheel if it happens again or do something to fix the area that I think caused the damage (and show me it's fixed), I probably won't be back. It just sucks because it was so convenient to stop at on my way home from work or before a quick drive up to the mountains. It was also cheap as I only buy gift cards when they are BOGO free, so that $7 wash really only costs me $3.50.

[chrisdazzo]

I would try taking it to a Discount Tire or Tire Rack; they'd be able to assess the damage, if any. Doesn't seem like there was a puncture, only a small impression from the bolt.

I'm not sure I would bother trying to hold the wash accountable for the damage - most have disclaimers freeing them of any responsibility when you agree to use the wash. As for the wheel, you may try a local wheel refinishing company, many are mobile these days and can stop by where you work during the day.

If you're near a Waterway car wash, I would highly recommend purchasing their $33/mo membership. You get unlimited $12 car washes ($16 on Tuesdays) and gas discounts with Conoco on-site. I've taken my 2016 S3 (with what I believe are the same wheels as yours) there 2-3 times a week without fail for the past 2 months, and have yet to see any damage from the wash itself. There are plenty in the Denver area, there's bound to be one near you.

[ggnoob]

I do plan on going to Discount Tire on Tuesday. It doesn't look like it should be an issue and seems to be safe, but I'll see what they say.

I also submitted a quote to one of those mobile wheel people in Colorado. If it's low enough I may fix it. If not, it's not too bad and things like that will happen eventually. Just really sucks being a new car.

It sucks cause this car wash probably gives me the best wash I've gotten at any before so I want to keep going back. But now I'm afraid to do anymore damage to my wheels. They also have a $34 unlimited wash plan for the $12 wash. More than I usually spend, but would be nice to wash all the time and not have to worry about wasting money if it rains for 2 minutes one afternoon.

I'm too far north of Denver for those car washes. Are those touch or touch less? People just seem to hate touch washes but it's the only way I can seem to get my car clean without washing it myself.

[chrisdazzo]

Looks like you're well on your way.

Waterway is touchless except for the hand-drying. I leased my S3, so I don't care a lot about waxing, etc. but I'm pretty anal about keeping it clean otherwise - and that includes the wheels. Have not had an issue so far.

[ggnoob]

Leasing mine as well. So I too dont worry too much and just want it clean. But I prefer not to get chips or scratches for a while...

[bakedcorn]

Leasing mine as well. So I too dont worry too much and just want it clean. But I prefer not to get chips or scratches for a while...

I'd try to avoid those washes with the guides or rails. Up here we have those touch-less washes whereby one simply pulls up - no guides or rails - zero chance of marking up the rims/tires.

We've been taking our cars there for the past year with no ill effects. mind you we still hand wash our cars twice a year followed up by a wax though we both have the sharkskin paint finish - September/October and April/May.

[ggnoob]

I'd try to avoid those washes with the guides or rails. Up here we have those touch-less washes whereby one simply pulls up - no guides or rails - zero chance of marking up the rims/tires.

We've been taking our cars there for the past year with no ill effects. mind you we still hand wash our cars twice a year followed up by a wax though we both have the sharkskin paint finish - September/October and April/May.

I thought I'd be okay since my tires stick out farther than my wheels. But I guess not!

Suppose I'll have to find a good touch less wash that actually works and isn't too pricey. I know there are several that don't have those guides for the wheels.

[bakedcorn]

I thought I'd be okay since my tires stick out farther than my wheels. But I guess not!

Suppose I'll have to find a good touch less wash that actually works and isn't too pricey. I know there are several that don't have those guides for the wheels.

You may also want to look into a "Season Pass" - usually 60 to 90 days of car washes everyday - well at least up here in Ontario.

http://allseasonsautowash.com/prepaid-packages.html

Maybe you can split the cost and washes with a few buddies - not touchless though!