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Was going down to Phoenix today to get a new set of seat covers installed on my sport seats and decided to run through the carwash before making the trip.
I pull up and pay the guy and he guides me in and the car starts moving through the car wash. I use the time to wipe down the dash and interior with my Meguires wipes while the pretty purple, yellow and pink soap coats the windshield. Next thing I know I feel a hard bump that shakes the car......
I look up and see this SUV in front of me with it's back-up lights on and the SUV backs right up onto my nose about a foot....I mean it is literally on top of my car.
I lay on the horn and throw my C5 into reverse and back up from under her (I find out later it's an old lady).
The guy shuts off the car wash and comes inside and walks up to the SUV and talks to them and they start driving off. He comes back to me and says that she said "she didn't hit anything" and I told him she was all the way up on top of my F*&#ing front end (I was pissed) and told him to get her plate number before she drove off.
She was waiting outside when I drove out and I get out to inspect thinking the whole front end was trashed. The car was fine other than 3 minor scrapes and the detail people there (full service car wash) said that it would "buff out".
Their explanation was that there had been previous problems with the new Ford Escapes and according to them I guess when the new Escapes sense something in front of the car it automatically and without driver input reverses??? Is this Bull crap or true??? Seems like a HUGE safety concern. What if it did this while kids were behind it or something?
So,
1.Is it the lady's fault
2. The Fords fault
3. The car wash guy for sending a car in before the other car exits?
4. Just, sh*t happens
I am supposed to go in tomorrow at 9am for a full detail and they are going to buff the car out.
I was told right after I got my Vette to never use an auto wash, never eat in my Vette and always wave at other Vettes. Some kind of Golden Rules of Vette Ownership.
Seriously though...that's a bummer and hopefully they can get the scratches out before you head down to the Valley.
Backed up a foot onto the nose of your car and left 3 buff able scratches? The car wash will consider the detail and buff compensation for damaging your car. It also constitutes acceptance of guilt/responsibility. I wouldn't let them touch my car. I would have gotten the women's info, license insurance etcetera and then contacted my insurer. Then go to a reputable body shop and obtain an estimate. Lastly no vehicle has a feature that will automatically shift your trans into reverse and start backing up. Front and rear proximity sensors sound an alert/alarm and apply the brakes. If the SUV sensed an issue in the front it would have also sensed you in the back. Car wash is blowing smoke. Good luck.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
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CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I do hope you got her insurance info - and I would not let the car wash staff touch the car. Get the car looked at by a good body shop and go from there as to the repair process. Just my opinion, but I have not heard of a car that automatically throws itself into reverse - did you happen to see any reverse lights on the SUV?
I can see only a few scratches since the height difference in vehicles couls allow the suv to be a foot up the hood and still barely touching. I agree to do get info and go through insurance and reputable shop.
Not Ford's fault, or the car washes (though nice they are going to attempt to buff out). These types of washes ask drivers to put the car in neutral. I'm betting the woman bumped the shifter while messing around in the car.
sounds like a headach..but read your owner's manual it tell you right in there NO AUTO WASH...several reasons why due to the off set of the tire's/rim's...
you must be like 21 years old... I would of called the police and got a police report, called both insurances and got it fixed properly. Just common sense unless your c5 is a trailer park beater?
Last edited by Riteaidkid84; 05-14-2017 at 09:46 AM.
Reason: Remove quote
What makes a car wash guy an expert on Ford's technology? What makes a car wash guy an expert on body damage?
Who's fault? It is clear they backed into your car. She is responsible. Whether or not Ford has an issue, her car hit yours and the car owner is responsible. It is her task (or her insurance) to go after Ford or not.
I would definitely not take a car to a car wash for any type of repair. Even if it is just buffing it out, they can still make a lot more damage which will further complicate the matter.
I was told right after I got my Vette to never use an auto wash, never eat in my Vette and always wave at other Vettes. Some kind of Golden Rules of Vette Ownership.
you must be like 21 years old... I would of called the police and got a police report, called both insurances and got it fixed properly. Just common sense unless your c5 is a trailer park beater?
Being pretty tough on the guy aren't we? Not everyone has had the "opportunity" to encounter the cop/insurance/lawyer/legal/justice system cabal up close. But with experience does come wisdom, doesn't it?
To the OP, very sorry this happened. You will obviously gain some wisdom from this. First when 'stuff' happens gather as much info as you can and WRITE it down. In this age of cell phone cameras take pictures, you need to have documentation to protect your options, both offensively and defensively.
At this point your options are somewhat limited. Take the car wash's offer or pursue a claim with your insurance as I take it you have no id on the other driver. To help you decide I would take the advice offered above and go to a reputable body shop for an estimate. With that in hand you can decide on the car wash offer, or not.
If you pursue and insurance claim it WILL be reported to the CarFax agencies. If you hang around here long enough you'll see that a CarFax accident report is a death sentence to future buyer's of your car.
So I, at this point would go to a body shop and learn what they would do to fix the damage and the $$$ and go negotiate with the car wash. Hopefully you can come to an agreement. If not you might just have to bump into the cop/insurance/lawyer/legal/justice system cabal.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16'-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-
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Her fault, her fault, and her fault.
I can't see how a vehicle on top of a Corvette's front end would cause just scratches that can be buffed out, I would think it would at least the vehicle would gouge the paint. I had some strange kids once use my hood as a slide, one must of had some metal rivet or something on their jeans because I had a gouge in my paint, whole hood had to be repainted.
If I was in your shoes, go after her. Whether that be going to her insurance company or through your own insurance. You did nothing wrong......besides the whole automatic car wash thing.
Tough crowd, But all are giving you sound advice, Auto car washes are a no no
You need to file a police report and report this to your insurance company. Something doesn't sound right unless you have poor vision. I can tell you that a 4000 pound SUV driving up on top of your hood will leave serious gouges and cracks in you body panels and tears in your front facia. Post up some pics of the damage, I would look under your hood where the fenders bolt on and underneath your car and check your suspesion for damage as well as your rims if you were in the car wash tracks since you describes the impact as a hard bump that shook your car.
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; 05-14-2017 at 05:30 PM.
05-14-2017, 04:35 AM
Car wash cluster f%#*
You need to file a police report and report this to your insurance company. Something doesn't sound right unless you have poor vision. I can tell you that a 4000 pound SUV driving up on top of your hood will leave serious gouges and cracks in you body panels and tears in your front facia. Post up some pics of the damage, I would look under your hood where the fenders bolt on and underneath your car and check your suspesion for damage as well as your rims if you were in the car wash tracks since you describes the impact as a hard bump that shook your car.