My EX 35 Was Towed Away Over the Weekend!!! Possible Issues with AWD???

[CaribMon71]

My AWD EX 35 was towed away over the weekend. I have several concerns about this, since I do not know much about towing, except that back home, we only use flatbeds. Private tow companies that monitor private lots do not exist in Puerto Rico.

I’m trying to figure out if this clown put my car on a dolly or just dragged it with the wheels locked.

Can someone answer a few questions about our cars? I could not find any evidence that the tow truck driver entered my vehicle. My EX 35 is an all wheel drive model. Will the wheels turn if the transmission is in Park? I’m assuming that our e-brake locks up the rear tires, so he probably tried to tow from the rear, but hopefully realized he was dealing with an AWD vehicle.

Would he have been able to tell? Would he feel some resistance or will the car just freewheel without any issues? I haven’t noticed anything strange or out of the normal when driving the vehicle, except that my butt feels about $100 lighter. I’m worried that I would experience some trouble with the transmission several months/years/miles down the road, but would be out of time to file a claim.

I went to pay the cashier to get my car back, but I became concerned, because when I asked the lady (that looked like a dude) how would the driver know that my car was an AWD, she just stated that “the tow truck drivers know their cars”. I don’t know about this; there aren’t that many EX 35s out on the road and this model hasn’t been out on the market very long.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

[ayap888]

If you check your manual, the safe method for towing an AWD is on a Flatbed position behind the truck with no wheels running.

For RWD EX35, the rear wheels could be lifted and the front wheels running on the road, but not for the AWD.

Sorry, but its possible that this clown could have done something bad.

Most cars (esp. the cheaper ones) are front-wheel drive ... and not to scare you or anything ... but human nature allows possible neglect.

Better have your EX35 checked by your dealer. And if there are some problems, talk to your insurance. Good luck bro!

[CaribMon71]

Thanks for the reply, but my question is: Is it possible to tow the vehicle with the transmission in park? Would it drag the wheels or would the wheels just turn freely?

[ayap888]

Aside from the transmission in Park, did you activate the "Parking breaks" ? If so, that could be a problem too.

[MagicMan2000]

Thanks for the reply, but my question is: Is it possible to tow the vehicle with the transmission in park? Would it drag the wheels or would the wheels just turn freely?

I believe, with the vehicle in park and with an AWD system, when you tow the vehicle without putting it on a flatbed either the front wheels or the rear wheels will lock up. Either the vehicle must be towed with all four wheels on the ground or all four wheels off the ground...

I'm no car expert, but everything I've read about towing AWD vehicles leads me to believe this conclusion. Checking with your dealer may be the best option; perhaps a simple phone call with a technician would help...

[SteveTheTech]

If you were towed overnight by one of the silent black trucks that roam this area looking for someones morning to ruin there is almost a 100% chance that whatever direction you were facing (be it back in, or pull in) the end facing out was hooked and the opposite wheels were dragged back to their lot. There have been many instances of this happening in this area and if it was only a short trip there shouldn't be any noticeable damage, the older models ( :::coughcough::: Murano) would detonate but the newer models fare much better when improperly towed.

Take it to the dealer if you are worried about it, however they may tell you everything checks out fine. If it were me I would continue to drive it normally and see if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

Good Luck, remember keep your tag in plain sight. lol I have met the most interesting of people at the finest tow lots in Northern Virginia and payed stupid amounts of money to free my cars. What lot did you have to go get your car from? EDIT-CaribMon you spelled Infiniti wrong in your profile

[CaribMon71]

Thanks for pointing out my spelling gaffe! I'll try to get that fixed right away. I was towed by Advanced Towing Company. I think they're on 4000 C North 5th Road in Arlington. I believe it is near Balston.

I was parked at the shopping center on 2800 Clarendon Blvd. I think I was right in front of the Pottery Barn. The Tow Away sign was folded in half (probably vandalized) so it wasn't visible. I parked on a meter, but figured that meter fees were not in effect at night.

So much for a free dinner at Cheesecake Factory. My friend had invited me, but I still ended up picking up the tip, the cab fare to the lot, and the $100 for getting my car back.

[M45Caliber]

can't you just call them and ask what kind of trucks they use? Flatbeds, hooks with dollys, etc.? Google them and there are some not-so-nice things said about this company. Wouldn't doubt it if Advanced is the one olding over the "no parking" signs.

[SteveTheTech]

Ahh Good ole Advanced, yeah I remember that well. There lot is impossible to find if your not familiar with that area near the airport. They do however use wheel lifts to pick them up. If they snatched you from a commercial lot it probably took <10 seconds to get your car up and out. At least it was a pretty short trip. I had mine towed from the DMV on Four Mile Run and they dragged my car all the way down 50 to Vienna. At least it was only a $100 you had to cough up to free your EX. Some complexs here charge <$150. I do enjoy funding many peoples meth addictions with my stupid fee.

[CaribMon71]

You're not kidding. That's what them drivers and the girl at the office look like. Meth addicts.

Arlington county has it regulated to where they can only charge you $100 and they must also drop the car if you catch them in the act. They can only charge you up to a $25 drop fee.

I believe the lot is very close to where they picked up my car from. The cab there was only $6.35. That is super cheap for this part of Virginia. Must be about a mile or less.

I saw a video of how they snatch your car out from a parallel parking spot in about 10 seconds.

Watch the end of the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...lated

[SteveTheTech]

Of course they would do that after I moved out of that area. The $20 drop free, is that if you catch them? If so that would be a great idea, nothing is more humbling than following your car to the tow lot.

That video was pretty cool, I have never seen that in action. It could be worse check out this one. http://www.youtube.com/The internet is so full of win.

Here's to Arlington County, your easy to get to but hard and expensive to leave.

[CaribMon71]

Yes, you have to catch them before they leave.