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Car wash Broke the Tire Pressure Sensors

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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 03:53 PM
  #1  
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Car wash Broke the Tire Pressure Sensors

I took my eight to the car wash (the type where the car is pulled through on a track and then hand waxed and dried). It comes out of the wash with two flat driver's side tires. Turns out the car wash rail snapped both of the TPS valves right off. Of course, the manager starts with, "you must have added something aftermarket, we don't pay for any damage." I said you better pay and he relents and says we can probably work something out. He estimates twenty dollars, haha. So I take it to the dealership and they say 300 for two TPS units. In the end the car wash paid up after I threatened suit.

Anyone had problems with car washes.
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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 05:10 PM
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No, I never take my car through one. Very bad for paint.
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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 06:00 PM
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I was always too worried about low ground clearance and the low-profile tires - so I've never put it through a drive-through car wash. At least I now know that my concerns regarding the low profile tires may be warrented. I'm glad you got restitution anyway.
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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 06:05 PM
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Came out of a manual car wash and the sprayer rapped around my mirror coming out half broken pressure gun hitting the door, 4 tiny nail size scratch's. You cant really see them but I know theu are there, well, maybe some touch will due, what u think?
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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 06:11 PM
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abbid: tempe

loco: its not noticeably any worse on the paint

w2aew: your fears seem justified

adamrotor: that is pretty random bad luck, sorry
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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 09:30 PM
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It depends on how **** you are about scratches. Also depends on the color - scratches don't show up on silver, not sure what color your car is.

Unless it's touchless, it will marr your paint, and even some touchless are not the greatest if they're blasting re-used water on your car. But I will take my car thru a touchless once or twice during the winter if it's freezing and I have salt buildup. Otherwise, I just don't trust auto washes and would rather do it myself, since I know I'm careful as I can be.

Anyway, I'm glad they are going to take care of your bill, bet they were shocked how much they had to pay out!
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Old Jul 24, 2004 | 08:00 AM
  #7  
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From: Albany, Georgia
Originally Posted by loco4rx8
No, I never take my car through one. Very bad for paint.
I only handwash my car too. I've never let a machine do it.
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Old Jul 24, 2004 | 08:23 AM
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The tire pressure monitors are INSIDE the tire. I don't see how they could have snagged on anything.

I have 4 TPMS that were used for 2500 miles. If you want them, I think $70 each is a fair price. PM me.
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Old Jul 24, 2004 | 08:43 AM
  #9  
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Make them pay. Its to wash your car not beat the dame thing up.
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Old Jul 24, 2004 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by JasonHamilton
The tire pressure monitors are INSIDE the tire. I don't see how they could have snagged on anything.

I have 4 TPMS that were used for 2500 miles. If you want them, I think $70 each is a fair price. PM me.
thx but the carwash paid for it, and the TPS includes the metal valve that comes through the rim of the tire so if that snaps the whole thing needs replacement
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Old Jul 24, 2004 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by loco4rx8
No, I never take my car through one. Very bad for paint.

I agree 100%
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 01:36 PM
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I did once, and only once. The rail caught the lip of my rear rim and did some damage. Never again!!!
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Old Jul 28, 2004 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 6speed8
I agree 100%
I, too, agree. If you are going to buy an 8 you shold be prepared to take care of it.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 09:18 AM
  #14  
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From: DFW
I told the wife if she ever takes it through any kind of car wash, she will make the payments and insurance payments. I don't care if I have to go out side at midnight to wash it, it will never go through a car wash. Especially a DIY.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 10:36 AM
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I've had nightmares, where I'm driving my car through the carwash... Then I wake up, go outside and handwash my car.... Did you know that most car wash facilities re-use their water?
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:30 AM
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if you take your car to a dealership guess what they use when they wash your car after repairs...an automatic, oh the horror
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:55 AM
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Guess what - I tell them not to wash my car.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 12:00 PM
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Actually, azben, not all dealerships do so. I simply requested that my dealership hand wash the 8 when it is in for service, and they did not have a problem with that. I guess they realize how damaging the automatic wahses can be.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 02:22 PM
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I used a hand wash once on my girlfriends sunfire. The water pressure on the gun was so high that it ripped some of the paint right off the rear bumper. That was a part repainted by a collision shop though so they probably did a crappy job, but still.
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Old Sep 23, 2019 | 01:39 PM
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Yes had same thing happen with my Charger SRT8 at Blue Iguana in Louisville Ky
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