Automatic Car Wash Damage

[clemson4runner]

So I take my wife's 2011 SR5 in for the 18 month Toyota "Care" service that came free with the truck. Her truck has the white painted running boards. I know, I know, they don't look that great, but she and the kids use them to enter and exit so they are a keeper for now. When we arrive at the dealer I could see them running some of the serviced cars through the automatic wash. I just waxed up the truck so it did not need a wash and plus I'm not a big fan of using this automatic machines anyway to avoid swirls. I specifically tell the service guy NOT to wash the truck. When it is time to leave, the service guy tells me there was a mistake and they actually did run it through. At least they dried it by hand. So when I get home we notice both running boards are damaged a few inches from the exact same place on each side and actually bent slightly. I have to assume the car wash machine did this as it was not there when I waxed it up two weeks ago. Anybody else ever have this issue? Now I'll have to deal with the dealer on how to address this. As they are painted blizzard pearl it is going to be a pain I am sure. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hellamatic]

Automatic carwashes are the devil. I don't mind the "touchless" ones that much, but the kind with the big brushes and rollers make me cringe. I fear exactly the kind of thing you speak of.

 

[lilsid112]

Whenever I go in for service, I put just a sign on the dash that says "Do Not Wash" and it hasn't failed me yet. Tell them about the running board issue as soon as possible though. It would have been better if you told them before you drove it off the lot.

 

[clemson4runner]

I called the dealer and sent them some pictures at their request. Turns out some newbie in the shop damaged it with the lift when doing the tire rotation. They are going to put a new set of painted running boards on. I like the idea about the sign though, good idea. Thanks!

 

[rigtec]

My issue is not so much the "soft cloth" strips that wash the soapy foam off the truck. Maybe...8 months ago, I deliberately removed the sub-standard, 3 foot stock antenna, just so I could go through the car wash w/o having the attendant hand me my antenna through the window.

I replaced the stock antenna with a durable, 13" black pvc upgrade which I tightened with an adjustable wrench. Now "twice", I've found my new antenna on the passenger seat when I got back in the car. :mad2:

After the 1st time it happened, I explained it to the guy..."THIS IS MEANT TO STAY ON THE CAR!!"; pointing to it/no smile to be found ANYWHERE on my face. My biggest concern was that he could break the base, tearing it from my "cheap ass fender".

Now I have a new car wash. It's a little more expensive, like $19 bucks for full treatment (vacuum int, tripple foam, rain-x, armor-all tires etc), and a lil further from my house but hopefully...No Morons; time will tell ray2:

rigtec, cheers

 

[Eagle]

Now I have a new car wash. It's a little more expensive, like $19 bucks ... but hopefully...No Morons; time will tell ray2:

I think I'd pay $19 just to be somewhere with no morons; the wash would just be a bonus.

 

[sdm]

I think I'd pay $19 just to be somewhere with no morons; the wash would just be a bonus.

I was going to say he'd better not get his hopes up too high...that's funny

 

[Familyrunner]

I called the dealer and sent them some pictures at their request. Turns out some newbie in the shop damaged it with the lift when doing the tire rotation. They are going to put a new set of painted running boards on. I like the idea about the sign though, good idea. Thanks!

S
ounds like a shady dealer ship, they should have owned up to this mistake before you even left! I hate dealer ships for just that reason they try to pull the wool any time they can.

 

[blizz86]

My issue is not so much the "soft cloth" strips that wash the soapy foam off the truck. Maybe...8 months ago, I deliberately removed the sub-standard, 3 foot stock antenna, just so I could go through the car wash w/o having the attendant hand me my antenna through the window.

I replaced the stock antenna with a durable, 13" black pvc upgrade which I tightened with an adjustable wrench. Now "twice", I've found my new antenna on the passenger seat when I got back in the car. :mad2:

After the 1st time it happened, I explained it to the guy..."THIS IS MEANT TO STAY ON THE CAR!!"; pointing to it/no smile to be found ANYWHERE on my face. My biggest concern was that he could break the base, tearing it from my "cheap ass fender".

Now I have a new car wash. It's a little more expensive, like $19 bucks for full treatment (vacuum int, tripple foam, rain-x, armor-all tires etc), and a lil further from my house but hopefully...No Morons; time will tell ray2:

rigtec, cheers

Thats a pretty solid price, especially if you have dogs. Armor all isnt good for your tires though, just a heads up.

 

[eddiebx]

S
ounds like a shady dealer ship, they should have owned up to this mistake before you even left! I hate dealer ships for just that reason they try to pull the wool any time they can.

In all fairness...how is a dealership whom is willing to go above and beyond to correct a problem that is brought to their attention being "shady"? I don't know how much better they can possibly handle the situation seeing as they are already offering to replace the running boards with brand new ones.

Everyone is human and mistakes happen, you can't expect them to read your mind and preemptively correct problems before they are even brought to their attention.

 

[Eagle]

In all fairness...how is a dealership whom is willing to go above and beyond to correct a problem that is brought to their attention being "shady"? I don't know how much better they can possibly handle the situation seeing as they are already offering to replace the running boards with brand new ones.

Everyone is human and mistakes happen, you can't expect them to read your mind and preemptively correct problems before they are even brought to their attention.

I agree. Ideally the dealership would a) train employees properly and b) inspect the vehicle, but sometimes mistakes happen... I'd be much happier with a dealer who admits to and corrects mistakes than one who pretends mistakes never happen.

 

[rigtec]

Thats a pretty solid price, especially if you have dogs. Armor all isnt good for your tires though, just a heads up.

Hi blizz,

Thanks for the "Heads up" about the armor-all. But after surviving divorce, then Alcohol over indulgence, followed by quite a few years of the "Clean & Sober" life (Praise The Lord), I think I'm just gonna "Go for broke" on the armor-all thing; what else have I got??:shrug:???

I still gotta live dangerously man!!!...:rockon: lol

rig, cheers