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I Got Towed!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by PatapscoPete, Oct 2, 2006.

  1. PatapscoPete

    PatapscoPete New Member

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    My bonehead play of the day was parking in a tow-away zone. And, yep, got towed. My stupidity, and I can't blame anyone but me.

    My question is, did any damage occur while it was being towed? The car was parked nose-to-curb. The tow operator apparently dragged it away from the curb, and then picked it up by the front wheels (car was in Park). I can see about 8 feet of skid marks from the front wheels being dragged backwards.

    The car seems to operate just fine. However, when I first got into the car after it was towed, the VSC, Anti-lock brakes, and other other light I can't remember, were all on. They cleared after 50 ft of driving, and all is apparently operating fine. Do you think I will have a problem later, and if so, what should I do about it???


    PS: The driver door was ajar when I picked it up. How'd he do that? I would have expected alarms to be ringing. They weren't!
     
  2. orionll

    orionll Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PatapscoPete @ Oct 2 2006, 08:03 AM) [snapback]326859[/snapback]</div>
    My car got towed once too. My car works fine also. I' don't know how they could tow it from that position (nose to the curb) to a tow truck with out damaging the CVT. Maybe they jacked the car up and put the front wheels on little wheeled things(don't know what those are called). Or maybe moving the vehicle a little won't damage the car. Maybe you left the door a litle open, or you were gone when the alarm went off.
     
  3. Cheap!

    Cheap! New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(orionll @ Oct 2 2006, 10:35 AM) [snapback]326876[/snapback]</div>
    What about a "Slim Jim?"
     
  4. TimeFor

    TimeFor New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Oct 3 2006, 04:56 PM) [snapback]327560[/snapback]</div>
    I can't stand tow companies. They are alright when they are helping but towing someone’s car isn't right. I understand why they are needed. Yes, we need to tow cars sometimes. But when you have to pay like $170 to get your car back and they threat you like s**t... that’s not right. Also.. what do you do if your coming out of work at 11pm and your car is gone? Its not like they leave a note. How do you find your car? How do you know who took it?

    Its not right. They make too much money and are rude. They also don't hold themselves responsible for any damage occurred. They say that’s their policy. Ok, well its not like you had a choice on who towed your car. How can you not agree with their.
     
  5. cairo94507

    cairo94507 Active Member

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    Well....this is pretty basic; do not park your car in violation of the law, posted signs, restrictions, etc., and it will always be there upon your return. I have been driving for over 35 years and have never had a car towed. Now, like Jim Carey found out in Liar Liar, when your car is towed away the best you can do is bend over and take it up the tailpipe. Sorry, but that is the way it was, is and likely always will be. Tow yards are not known for drawing employees who went to finishing school. Sorry.
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    if your car won't roll downhill when parked on an incline, you're fine.
     
  7. mspencer

    mspencer New Member

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    This makes me want to ask a childish kind of 'what if' question:

    If someone were to place some kind of metal guard around the base of their vehicle which blocked any access to the area under the vehicle, would that make it impossible for a tow truck operator to tow their vehicle?

    Such a guard is likely to be illegal, probably difficult to manufacture, and would be seriously inconvenient to use -- but I wonder if it would be effective.
     
  8. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mspencer @ Oct 9 2006, 10:18 PM) [snapback]330387[/snapback]</div>
    Last thing I want is a pissed off man with tools and a heavy duty winch deciding to teach me a lesson.
     
  9. Pinto Girl

    Pinto Girl New Member

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    Maybe it would be best to get one of those 'boots' and put it on your car every time you park illegally. Don't know if it makes it more difficult to tow, but might fool 'em now and again...

    Don't forget the little sticker to adhere to your drivers side window, either!

    RE: Parking companies: it really is a drag when they're super aggressive. There have been instances of that here in San Francisco...sometimes they were even towing cars which were *legally* parked, and claiming otherwise. Happened, I think, usually on private property, like in a Mall parking lot or whatever.
     
  10. 05azprius

    05azprius New Member

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    oops i revived a 6 yr old thread...my bad!
     
  11. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    Re: I Got Towed!

    The car flashed and beeped for five or ten minutes, then it shut itself off.
     
  12. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Gotta Loooove semi-retired posts!!!!

    I'd say look this person up to see if there was any serious damage to his or her car if you're curious, but usually the paw that locks the transmission (and thus the front wheels) can withstand the force of the car being dragged a little...otherwise there would be a LOT more broken and bleeding transmissions out there from people accidently hitting "P" before the car comes to a complete stop.

    As far as "aggressive" tow companies.....I have little sympathy for aggressive parkers. Don't park where you shouldn't!!!
    It's like State Troopers. Yeah...it's a drag when you get zapped for going 11 over and have to pay LEO, but what would the Interstate System look like if there were no speed enforcement???
    Right...the same as what urban areas would look like if stoopid people were allowed to park anywhere they felt like.
    To his (or her) credit, the OP did admit that they parked improperly, and didn't go off on a sophomoric tirade about parking enforcement.
    I hope it worked out OK for them! ;)
     
  13. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

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    Thanks for the revival as I never got a chance to read it until now!!