If you’ve been in a collision, please have your car inspected by a professional when you’re able. Even if the damage seems minor from the outside, there could be issues with the wheels and tires inside. In this article, we will talk about what to do if your Audi has been in an accident and its wheels and tires are damaged.
Immediate Action
If you’ve been involved in an accident, the first step is to make sure everyone is safe and okay. After you are satisfied that everyone who was in your Audi and the other car(s) are safe, you need to take the following steps:
- Assess the Damage: Walk around your Audi. Make a visual note of all the damage that has occurred.
- Document the Damage: This step is crucial. Take photos of all the areas you think are damaged for insurance Write down notes if you can.
- To Drive or Not: If there is considerable damage, don’t drive your Audi. This is for the safety of you and your passengers. It is also to keep your car from further damage. Call a tow service if necessary.
- Professional Assessment: Whether you were able to drive your Audi away or had to tow it, get a professional evaluation of the extent of the damage to your car.
Expected Damage to Wheels and Tires
Depending on the severity of the crash and how and where you were hit, you can expect a varied range of problems with the wheels and tires.
- Misalignment: This is one of the most common results after a collision. The crash can easily throw the wheels out of alignment. If you drive your Audi with misaligned wheels, it will lead to uneven wear on the tires. Your Audi will not handle well and that can create unsafe driving conditions.
- Are the Rims Bent?: Bent rims can cause loss of air in the tires. Don’t drive your car if you notice this. Not only will your Audi drive unevenly, but this could destroy your rims, which is an expensive replacement.
- Bulges or Blisters on Tire: Impact damage can cause your Audi’s tire to bulge. When the force of the impact pinches the inside of the tire, it damages the sidewall cords, which creates these bubbles and blisters.
- Look for Cracked Wheels: This is an extremely dangerous situation, as it can affect the structural integrity of the wheels. This is the part that is attached to the axle. Do not drive with cracked wheels, as they should be replaced. Only a professional inspection can reveal the extent of damage and if replacement is necessary for the integrity of your Audi.
Insurance Coverage
There are different types of insurance coverage. It is best to talk to your insurance company to find out what is covered and what is not, and what your deductibles are. Usually, if you at least have collision coverage, your wheels and tires will be covered under insurance if the damage occurred due to an accident. However, once again, it’s good to repeat that each company has its own policies, and talking to them is the best plan. Feel free to discuss this with us also.
Professional Repair
It cannot be stressed enough how critical it is to have your Audi checked out by a professional if it has been in a collision. You only want master technicians who are also specialists in tires and wheels. There are many nuances to tire and wheel damage due to an accident. For example, sometimes, fine cracks in your wheel can jeopardize its structural soundness. Yet, that’s something a layperson may not notice.
Take the Next Steps at Ames Auto Collision
At Ames Auto Collision, we can help you with 
your Audi’s tire and wheel issues. We are a top-notch auto body shop with many years of experience. Our master technicians are not only proficient in the technical aspects of repair and restoration, but we like to think we are also artists! We concentrate on the technical and structural issues along with the aesthetics. After we have had a chance to work on your car, you will get it back as if it rolled out of the showroom! Give us a call to book an appointment. We’re in Texas. Visit us at any of our locations in Addison, Flower Mound, Irving, Highland Park, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Lewisville, University Park, and Dallas.
