First Tesla service call: a new wheel
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First service call for our Tesla Model Y. Replacing our loaner wheel with a new wheel.
As you can see in our posts from a few weeks ago, we hit a pothole, damaging our left rear wheel. At the time, we only knew that we had a slow leak. We logged the problem in the Tesla app. They arranged for roadside assistance to come to us, in about an hour, to install a loaner wheel, and take ours away to diagnose.
Today, Tesla replaced the loan wheel with a new wheel, costing a whopping $1319.
I asked them to clean the damaged wheel and put it in the back of the car. In the photos, you can see the buckle and crack. I am wondering if it is fixable.
When I booked this service in the app, I also asked them to fix the water in the light bar, and some issues with the steering wheel buttons. They replaced both. I’ll discuss the steering wheel buttons in a separate post. All covered under warranty.
I had a bit of trouble figuring out where to leave the car. Several after me also mistakenly parked in front of the waiting lounge, next to a sign that probably shouldn’t be there.
One of the two staff at the service desk in the garage greeted me and commented on my recent trip through the Snowy Mountains. Turns out he’s been following our Tesla Tripping blog.
The Tesla service experience is top notch. The app streamlined the whole process, giving me updates at each stage of repair. The lounge is a great place to catch up on some work, complete with coffee.
The only minor issue I had was some dark marks on the white seats, but they came off easily.
Precision Wheels. Bit far 4 u
But then of course, you need to keep it somewhere …
They’re a Hussla wheel, 18x8.5 15 30+ from Ozzy Tyres in Bayswater.
I originally wanted to go down to a 17” as I’ve seen many videos of it done in the USA. But we found out (after trying 4 different wheels) that our rear brakes are slightly different to the USA made cars and the rear callipers are bigger so the wheel rubs. Ours are made in China a the details differ so very slightly to the ones made in Redmond USA so I had to go to 18’s instead.
All up was $2780 (the tyres were around $390 ea from memory).
Upon checking you need to cost more to claim from DTP. State government and department of transport is responsible to fix it.
The "Threshold" Rule
For the 2025/2026 financial year, the threshold is $1,681.
• If your damage is less than $1,681: The DTP is legally not liable, and you generally cannot claim.
• If your damage is more than $1,681: You can claim, but the DTP will deduct the threshold amount from your payout. For example, if your alloy wheel costs $2,500 to replace, the maximum you could receive is $819 ($2,500 minus $1,681).
$1170 for a set of four alloys suited for a Tesla. Slightly lower profile tyres though. So potential for more damage?