tow truck damage
#1
tow truck damage
So yesterday on the way into work, the car started to drive and sound funny. Few mins later a CEL popped up and started to flash and the car went into limp mode. I got it to the front gate at work and shut the car off. I had just got it back the day prior from my 90k service and two recalls, cooling fan and fuel rail. I knew people were having issues after the fuel rail recall so I opted to get the car towed because I wasn't 100% sure it was from the recall and didn't want to risk driving. So I called my insurance company (USAA) to set up a tow because I had trouble getting someone at roadside assistance through Lexus. So the truck comes up and I talk with the driver for a min before he tries to get the car on the lift. He tries to nose it on but I tell him to stop because the bumper was hitting the ramp. So he backs off and tries to go up the lift backwards. Well as he does the front bumper scrapes the ground and gouges the hell out of the bumper in a few spots. This is where things start to get heated..I told the driver thats unacceptable that you just damageed my bumper. He comes back with well it couldn't be helped and nothing he can do about it. We start to go back and fourth about it and he asks me what I want to do. I tell him I need to get the car to Lexus and we will discuss it more there. To which he replies oh, there will be no discussing it there if I have to paint the car I am going to drop it back on the ground. I told him he might as well off load it now because this wasn't cool. He went on the say the cars suspension has been modified (I'm on eibachs up front only, so I'm pretty sure the car still would have scraped the ground trying to get on the lift) and went on to say the ground effects (I don't have any) make the car even lower. So he offloads the car and again scrapes the ground. At this point I am furious and trying to get a hold of USAA to file the complaint and what I need to do to get the car right again. Meanwhile after the driver gets the car on the ground he takes off without a word, he couldn't get out of there fast enough. Ended up driving the car to Lexus very carefully and found out it was a missfire from cylinders 6 and 8. The worst damage on the bumper is on the "fangs" just outside on the lower grill that are visible from standing away from the car. USAA has started an incident claim, just gotta get some better pics and quote. After the way this guys attitude switched gears so quick, I'm willing to bet he's had more than one complaint against his company. Had it been me or if he would have been like hey I'm sorry about that I'll take care of it for you the situation would have been a lot different. Anyway here are the pics I took yesterday. Rant over.
#2
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MS
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wow. sorry to hear that. Completely unacceptable. I had my starter go out a few months ago, under warranty, and they sent a flat bed tow truck out to pick it up. I warned them it was a low car (lowered and splitters). The tow truck guy had the same issue, but my outcome was totally different. Because the incline was too steep, he put boards under the front tires in order to make it not drag the front splitters and bumper. Took almost an hour but he did it the correct way. He earned a customer for life by taking his time and using his brain.
For him to say that there was no way around it is total BS. It's not your fault he didn't have the proper equipment or experience. I hope you get it resolved, I would be fuming....
For him to say that there was no way around it is total BS. It's not your fault he didn't have the proper equipment or experience. I hope you get it resolved, I would be fuming....
#3
Guessing you had the same thing happen as my car after the recall. They didn't hook up the EVAP or some other sensor which put it in limp mode. Took about 45 min for the dealer to fix it. Still bs but make sure Lexus gives you some kind of compensation. They gave me a free oil change for my next service but after my fiasco with my local Lexus I doubt I'll even use it.
#4
Intermediate
iTrader: (1)
I try to avoid making comments on lowered cars but this is gotten me thinking.
Why do you lower a car that has been originally engineered by people that really know what they are doing? Does it really make the car better? Whenever I see one with the wheel alignment completely goofed up, I honestly don't get it.
When I see one with the wheels splayed out at all four corners and the wrong size wheels and tires, I wonder how safe the car is.
Why do you lower a car that has been originally engineered by people that really know what they are doing? Does it really make the car better? Whenever I see one with the wheel alignment completely goofed up, I honestly don't get it.
When I see one with the wheels splayed out at all four corners and the wrong size wheels and tires, I wonder how safe the car is.
#6
^^^eh, 95% of my posts are from my phone...
For me its purely looks. I don't track the car. My stock wheels when I bought the car were, in my opinion badly repaired. Plus I don't really car for the look of the 08-09 wheels
I try to avoid making comments on lowered cars but this is gotten me thinking.
Why do you lower a car that has been originally engineered by people that really know what they are doing? Does it really make the car better? Whenever I see one with the wheel alignment completely goofed up, I honestly don't get it.
When I see one with the wheels splayed out at all four corners and the wrong size wheels and tires, I wonder how safe the car is.
Why do you lower a car that has been originally engineered by people that really know what they are doing? Does it really make the car better? Whenever I see one with the wheel alignment completely goofed up, I honestly don't get it.
When I see one with the wheels splayed out at all four corners and the wrong size wheels and tires, I wonder how safe the car is.
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#9
Pole Position
Ditto with some tow truck drivers I've had in the past, with any kind of lowered or low car I've had they've always put boards (2x4's) underneath the front tires so the car climbs up those and onto the bed. There have been no scraping using this method and that tow truck driver should have known this
#11
Haha, that's not even low to scrape your car. The tow truck driver did not give one eff and just threw your car on there. When I had to get my car towed, since it was lower the driver did not want to tow it but I told him its fine even if he did scratch it. He threw on 2x4s and tried his best and he did not. So your situation is unacceptable.
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Your #1 Dealer for Aftermarket Performance Products
Orange County, CA
Email: info@merakiautoworks.com
Text/Call: 213 394 2886
Website: www.MerakiAutoworks.com
#12
I agree 100%....had it been me. Oh well guess I need to be more careful. But because it was done by someone else and done without care. Its a different story. My side skirt for example.. I have some visible damage on it from the second day I had the car. I was show boating and a fender liner blew out. Ye I was upset but it was my fault.
#13
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
It comes down to the operator of the tow truck if he's capable of thinking and using his noggin. Some know what they're doing some don't care .
I always state the car is lowered so that the tow truck driver will have the equipment to do the job. If they don't the driver won't take the call and this would have been avoided.
I always state the car is lowered so that the tow truck driver will have the equipment to do the job. If they don't the driver won't take the call and this would have been avoided.