towing question

B6/7 S4/RS4
#23

Just wondering, maybe he was trying to “gain access” to the interior to put the car in neutral and then just tow it like normal thinking that’s good enough. Not taking his side at all, and still no sense why it’d be the passenger side and not the driver’s side. But anyhow, just an idea.

But agreed, there’s a unanimous hatred for tow truck drivers. It’s gotta be a shit jobs, but there are a lot of shit jobs so there’s no excuse to be an ass and be shady. Ever since I had the S4, I always leave the car in neutral just b/c I’m afraid a tow truck driver will not know about the AWD and tow it like normal.

#24

I had a really nice, really clean, really professional, really punctual tow truck driver a few weeks ago. I gave him a good review on his company’s customer service survey. I was impress.

#25

Doesn’t the car need to be in neutral with the handbrake off in order to tow it using a flatbed? You usually need the tow hook in place and “pull” the car onto the truck (which means the car needs to be able to roll). If the car is locked in gear OR with the handbrake on, the flatbed option goes out the window. At that point, you need a standard tow truck with dollies. (And usually, the front wheels need to be perfectly straight or better yet, have the ability to turn the front wheels as it’s getting pulled to straighten out the car properly).

Talking about dollies, many years ago, I saw a truck trying to tow a Corvette that was illegally parked. Unfortunately for the Corvette driver, he had parked too close to the curb and the tow truck driver didn’t have the clearance at the back wheels to put dollies on (sidewalk was in the way). So he got the bright idea to try and raise the back wheels by raising the front, then putting wooden blocks under the car in the middle and then pushing down on the front in order to pivot the car and raise the back wheels to put the dollies underneath the back wheels. So he does all this, starts pushing down on the front and suddenly, there’s a super loud “CRACK!”. No visible damage but it sounded like something major broke. Tow truck driver finally stopped. Backed out and decided to inverse his tow by putting the dollies on the front wheels (he had clearance as the front was slightly further away from the curb). Not sure why he didn’t just try that in the first place but man, that Corvette was never going to be the same after that tow…

#26

Not sure if sarcastic or you actually got towed?!?!

#27

Had a check engine light on the A4, then parked it at home and we were going to bring it to the dealer the next day. When we went to start it up, it was dead. Didn’t know why as we didn’t leave the lights/light on or anything. So I just told Audi that they should tow it to the dealer for the CEL check/service.

Anyway, they sent a tow truck guy and I was serious, he was excellent.

It was interesting because the B8 has an electronic parking brake. So I was thinking…how the hell is he going to get this thing out of here? It was parked, head first, in the garage, brake on, battery dead. How do you release the parking brake on a car with a dead battery?

He was going to put it on dollies and slide it out but my driveway has some slope so I envisioned the car ending up sliding into the cross-the-street neighbour’s front yard.

Just boosted it and it fired up, and I drove it to the dealer but it was interesting for a few minutes. If it wasn’t the battery and there was indeed a problem, it’s funny how this ‘technology’ like an electric brake can actually cause troulble rather than helping.

As for the CEL it was a sensor of some sort. Warranty replaced (when I had only 3 days of factory warranty left!). I have purchased an extended warranty for the car.

5 years (from now, so to year 9 of the car’s life), 120,000 kms (from now, so to 185,000 kms), $25,000 maximum life of policy coverage, $0 deductible, bumper to bumper coverage that replicates the Audi new car warranty, all work to be done at Audi dealers, $3000+tax - Ensurall Canada.

#28

parking brake can be released with some snipping (say in an accident, and the car needs to be moved asap), or a strong winch to just overpower the tires.

You should be able to apply voltage to whatever actuates the cable as well, not sure where that is located though.

#29

lol none of those sound fun for our daily driver

#30

That kind use of electronics pisses me off. Nothing wrong with the mechanical parking brake design.

As for the extended warranty, well worth it if you’re keeping the car. Mine for the S4 cost about $2400. I’ve definitely cashed in more than that in repairs - power steering pumps/lines, washer fluid motors/tank/lines, wiper motors/nozzles, seat motor etc… etc…

The main difference is that my warranty company do NOT pay for work done at the dealer because of the high labour rates. I thought that was a downside until I found an awesome mechanic with whom the warranty company does deal with.

But I see, your tow was a “friendly tow”.

As for this towing discussion, I’m going to be more vigilant about where I park! I don’t want those guys to tow my car.

#31

well the dragging the car part all my tow buddies loved, they get some perverse pleasure in seeing mangled/mangling cars lol

great way to fuck with someone though, get a cummins, some tow straps and move their car 10 feet or so when they are in the store etc

#32

When you set the park brake in the a4. do you need to click it off? or does it come off when you press the gas?

#33

either or

I click it off because it doesn’t feel right when you drive out of it. It kind of feels like doing a baby brake stand in an automatic car. Like you’re riding tall suddenly, then it gives.

#34

I think the key difference is a tow truck driver you “call to help you” vs the tow truck companies that just go around and tow out of predetermined lots or illegal spaces.

I’ve had a couple really nice tow truck guys when I’ve needed them to come tow for me. With the ride height of my car & awd it usually isn’t the easiest job. But I’m usually there trying to help them and treat them very professionally/courteous. You can tell that means a lot to them as it’s probably not the typical interaction they get from people who are usually in duress. When I’m actually grabbing the wood blocks and everything else, it usually shocks them a good bit lol.

#35

Well, I just had my Jeep towed off a city street near my apt building over the weekend. They gave a 24hour notice via signs on the street for street sweeping. Street fucking sweeping ::slight_smile: I didn’t see the signs since I drove my car (garaged) for a couple of days and spend all of 20ft on my street before I turn off. I thought it was stolen. Had to drive my car with Michelin SS on snowy icey streets this a.m. Wasn’t too bad but damn I was pissed off and wanted to make loud noises…lol

#36

Economy must be real bad lately for the tow companies eh? ;D

#37

Isn’t your wife’s A4 automatic? Why set the parking brake in a fairly level garage?

O’hare towing is the shit in Chicago-land. They even had a TV show called “wrecked”. I used them to tow the S4 once, they were very careful, and you could tell the guy takes all the precautions he needs to

#38

I used to watch Wrecked when it was on. Brutal job on cold winter nights not to mention deadly.

#39

It is a (good) habit.

#40

The engineers say that by setting the parking brake before shutting off the engine it takes the stress off the transmission but I have never seen it actually make a difference.

#41

You need to post some pics and first impressions of your new whip.

#42

Our car has 4 years and 70,000 on it and when you put it in gear, there is no clunk whatsoever. Most automatics when you engage them you get that clunk. Someone told me to do that ages ago, and it makes sense. I’d rather the ebrake held the car in place when parked than the transmission. Of course it’s not very scientific but seems to work well.