Towing Damage
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 6
From: Hong Kong
W463 G63, W213 E63S, W204 C63
Towing Damage
Hi,
So my car was towed from one shop who was fixing my PPF wrap to another shop to finish the wrap. The tow truck driver arrived with the front wheels being dragged and not using a dolly! (I was absolutely furious when I found out)
I was called over and had a look at the car, there is obviously damage done, as when I got in the car, every warning light was on (4matic unavailable, ABS Traction control unavailable, electronic rear differential lock inoperative, and a check engine light)
The towing company has said they will pay for the repairs, however I don't know the extent of whats been damaged and whats not.
I left the car there overnight, and the next day, no warning lights, nothing, car drives perfectly fine and I'm a bit confused now as to what has happened.
Has anyone had any experience with their 4matic being towed with the front wheels on the ground?
Thanks
So my car was towed from one shop who was fixing my PPF wrap to another shop to finish the wrap. The tow truck driver arrived with the front wheels being dragged and not using a dolly! (I was absolutely furious when I found out)
I was called over and had a look at the car, there is obviously damage done, as when I got in the car, every warning light was on (4matic unavailable, ABS Traction control unavailable, electronic rear differential lock inoperative, and a check engine light)
The towing company has said they will pay for the repairs, however I don't know the extent of whats been damaged and whats not.
I left the car there overnight, and the next day, no warning lights, nothing, car drives perfectly fine and I'm a bit confused now as to what has happened.
Has anyone had any experience with their 4matic being towed with the front wheels on the ground?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 811
From: Toronto, Ont, Canda
go fast grocery getter wagon
Towing a vehicle equipped with a permanent AWD system on two wheels could result in damage to the coupling, as well as the transmission and various other drive components.
You should ask your dealer for the possible issues and have them check out the entire car. IMO, I believe there is damage done already.
You should ask your dealer for the possible issues and have them check out the entire car. IMO, I believe there is damage done already.
Last edited by bobblehead; Aug 22, 2019 at 06:23 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 605
From: Southern California
2018 E63S AMG
Wow, so sorry to hear about this. You're trying to baby and protect your car and some oaf damages the car.
I wouldn't rule out a claim against the PPF wrap shop if they were the ones who contracted the towing company.
I wouldn't rule out a claim against the PPF wrap shop if they were the ones who contracted the towing company.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 6
From: Hong Kong
W463 G63, W213 E63S, W204 C63
Extremely painful....
The towing company took the car to their garage and wiped all the codes. They said since there are no more codes so there is no damage...
I am going to take it to the dealer for a full inspection, this week
Is there any possibility that something wasn’t damaged?
Dragging the front wheels I assume would only damage the transfer case?
The towing company took the car to their garage and wiped all the codes. They said since there are no more codes so there is no damage...
I am going to take it to the dealer for a full inspection, this week
Is there any possibility that something wasn’t damaged?
Dragging the front wheels I assume would only damage the transfer case?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 605
From: Southern California
2018 E63S AMG
There's possibility and probability.
There is s distinct possibility that if I played it, I would win the next draw of the Powerball jackpot. The probability is low enough that I don't play except on an exceptional basis.
I don't know enough about how the front differential and transmission work together when the engine is off and transmission is in Park to opine on the probability that something wasn't damaged.
But either way, I hope for the best outcome.
There is s distinct possibility that if I played it, I would win the next draw of the Powerball jackpot. The probability is low enough that I don't play except on an exceptional basis.
I don't know enough about how the front differential and transmission work together when the engine is off and transmission is in Park to opine on the probability that something wasn't damaged.
But either way, I hope for the best outcome.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 811
From: Toronto, Ont, Canda
go fast grocery getter wagon
Extremely painful....
The towing company took the car to their garage and wiped all the codes. They said since there are no more codes so there is no damage...
I am going to take it to the dealer for a full inspection, this week
Is there any possibility that something wasn’t damaged?
Dragging the front wheels I assume would only damage the transfer case?
The towing company took the car to their garage and wiped all the codes. They said since there are no more codes so there is no damage...
I am going to take it to the dealer for a full inspection, this week
Is there any possibility that something wasn’t damaged?
Dragging the front wheels I assume would only damage the transfer case?
wow. you should not have let the towing company clear the codes at all. Now, the dealer maybe unable to see what the codes are and will have nothing to follow up on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 515
From: USA
2018 E63S Wagon, 2017 Z51 Corvette
Extremely painful....
The towing company took the car to their garage and wiped all the codes. They said since there are no more codes so there is no damage...
I am going to take it to the dealer for a full inspection, this week
Is there any possibility that something wasn’t damaged?
Dragging the front wheels I assume would only damage the transfer case?
The towing company took the car to their garage and wiped all the codes. They said since there are no more codes so there is no damage...
I am going to take it to the dealer for a full inspection, this week
Is there any possibility that something wasn’t damaged?
Dragging the front wheels I assume would only damage the transfer case?
Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 197
Likes: 108
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
2020 AMG E63S Wagon, 2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 160
2018 E63S Wagon
Since they wiped the codes is there any evidence that they improperly towed your car?...
It doesn't help now but I wouldn't have let anyone touch the car before a dealer printed off the fault code list and inspected the damage...especially the people that are hoping to avoid paying (worst case) for a new E63 drivetrain.
It doesn't help now but I wouldn't have let anyone touch the car before a dealer printed off the fault code list and inspected the damage...especially the people that are hoping to avoid paying (worst case) for a new E63 drivetrain.
Last edited by Carac; Aug 27, 2019 at 06:33 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 551
Likes: 160
From: NYC area
2019 E63S wagon; 2016 Landrover Landmark
Oh man, that is worst case... sucks and so sorry to hear. The towing company is definitely looking to cover their tracks, so retain whatever pics and records you have. I would push dealer on the inspection to dig deep too, not just a quick drive around the block.
Best of luck.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,403
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From: South Florida
Fast Cars!
First off the dealer can still see the codes that were cleared. And 2nd, if there is damage and you are driving the car currently the codes will be back very very soon if (again if there is real damage). However you did not say, do you know how the distance they towed it like that?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 6
From: Hong Kong
W463 G63, W213 E63S, W204 C63
Hey guys,
Just an update, I've had the car back for a couple weeks now. The tow was roughly 35km.
So far no codes, but I do notice some strange sounds coming from the front area of the car.
If I have the dynamic screen up, I notice a difference when the 4 wheel drive is engaged, the car has a weird slight grind feel to it, its hard to describe, but the drivetrain isn't smooth at idle, in drive, with the brakes holding the car.
If you come to a stop and the 4 wheel drive is disengaged, the idle is smooth as ever.
No codes have come back.
The dealership changed all the fluids in the gearboxes, and said there were no metal traces, although I would expect the filters to have picked these up if there were any.
Thanks again
Just an update, I've had the car back for a couple weeks now. The tow was roughly 35km.
So far no codes, but I do notice some strange sounds coming from the front area of the car.
If I have the dynamic screen up, I notice a difference when the 4 wheel drive is engaged, the car has a weird slight grind feel to it, its hard to describe, but the drivetrain isn't smooth at idle, in drive, with the brakes holding the car.
If you come to a stop and the 4 wheel drive is disengaged, the idle is smooth as ever.
No codes have come back.
The dealership changed all the fluids in the gearboxes, and said there were no metal traces, although I would expect the filters to have picked these up if there were any.
Thanks again
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 6
From: Hong Kong
W463 G63, W213 E63S, W204 C63
I have expressed my concerns to the dealer here, however they say they think the car is normal. Its definitely not normal, I can feel strange vibrations with the car in Drive and stopped when the 4 wheel drive is engaged. There are also random grinding noises when turning corners with steep inclines.
Does anyone have any ideas to help me ask for what to look for in terms of checking with the dealer? They seem to be clueless on how to diagnose the problem. Their opinion if there are no warning lights, there are no issues. They didn't find any small metal shavings in any of the fluids either.
Thanks!
Does anyone have any ideas to help me ask for what to look for in terms of checking with the dealer? They seem to be clueless on how to diagnose the problem. Their opinion if there are no warning lights, there are no issues. They didn't find any small metal shavings in any of the fluids either.
Thanks!
