zhackwyatt

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If not too much trouble, could someone take a picture of the bottom side of their car where the tow point should be? I was wondering if it has those yellow arrow points as in the picture. Maybe it's worth putting some paint and a "don't jack here" on the inner section as well since a simple tire rotation at Costco can totally damage it. Maybe it's time I get a torque wrench finally and do my own rotations.

Also, looking at the 2021-Wrecker-Towing-Guide-MCS-5717.pdf, which points in the front can a winch be attached to (diagram seems to be in front of the front wheels).
Would someone be able to post a picture of exactly where a tow truck would connect a j-hook or other appropriate device to, under the car? I have seen the provided diagram and read through this thread, and I'm still not sure where I would tell a tow truck river to attach to, to haul up onto a flatbed. Thanks!
Are you talking about this:
Ford Mustang Mach-E RESOLUTION!  $28,000 damage to Mach-E from tow truck hooking into battery rail 1643128069397

Ford Mustang Mach-E RESOLUTION!  $28,000 damage to Mach-E from tow truck hooking into battery rail 1643128084602


From here, credit to @Mach-Lee :
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/mach-e-winch-recovery-tow-points.13553/#post-328286
 

RickMachE

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Maybe Google the term "winch points"? ;)
 

Motomax

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I ordered a roll of "no hook" stickers from ebay that are showing up in the coming days. Going to see what I can do to stick some under the car in the bad places. Should be easy to find some green paint perhaps for the right holes.

I still cannot believe that Ford didn't think to stamp anything into the metal of the battery rail saying no tow. Also why not have that diagram on the infotainment screen when you put it in tow mode.... This really was stupid.

How does Brand T handle such issues? Are they just as prickly underneath? I imagine Teslas get towed frequently enough....
Even if they stamped it, no one’s going to be able read it-my head doesn't fit under there. Just tapping on the rail you can tell it’s not suitable.

Teslas tow instructions are very similar except their tow mode is limited to like 5mph. They also have a tow hook (assuming they remembered to put it in the frunk at the factory).

Tow mode is also not limited to EVs. Many ICE models are going to an auto park feature as well. I guess they no longer trust us to use park effectively.

This was just tow truck negligence. They should all have wheel “skates” to Load up cars that won’t roll. Another possibility is that they might have assumed there was no park pawl and no transmission To destroy if you just drag the wheels (don’t let them drag your ice car lol).
 

RickMachE

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These people ordering stickers - do you think they'll be readable after driving in the winter? Or accumulating road dirt? Do you expect that the tow truck driver is going to lay down and read the bottom of the car?

The burden is on the car owner to say "Hey Bubba, make sure you hook those on the proper spot, which is those big holes IN FRONT OF THE TIRES."
 

zhackwyatt

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These people ordering stickers - do you think they'll be readable after driving in the winter? Or accumulating road dirt? Do you expect that the tow truck driver is going to lay down and read the bottom of the car?

The burden is on the car owner to say "Hey Bubba, make sure you hook those on the proper spot, which is those big holes IN FRONT OF THE TIRES."
I printed the above two pictures and plan on leaving them in a conspicuous place inside the car whenever I drop it off.
 


scoopman

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I'm thinking of what to do to mitigate this problem in the unfortunate instance that my MME needs to be towed and I'm not around to micromanage a tow truck operator.

Question: if I were to put Gorilla extreme duct tape over the holes in that battery rail to prevent tow truck hook temptation, would that harm anything? Do these holes serve any purpose such as drainage that might be problematic if I cover them? Anyone know? They look like just rando holes without purpose in the diagrams I've seen, but don't want to do harm by covering them up.

As for the front tow points, I've gotten two vinyl racing stickers that are red arrows saying "TOW" on them that I think are going to do the trick and be very frekin obvious under the front end of the car. I might put some clear tape over them to protect them, or else replace them if they don't hold up to the elements after a while.
 

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These people ordering stickers - do you think they'll be readable after driving in the winter? Or accumulating road dirt? Do you expect that the tow truck driver is going to lay down and read the bottom of the car?

The burden is on the car owner to say "Hey Bubba, make sure you hook those on the proper spot, which is those big holes IN FRONT OF THE TIRES."
Actually, the burden is on Bubba not to damage the car. But it's the owner who has the mess when they do $28k in damage to the car and all parties try and duck from remuneration.

I'm going to be all over anyone trying to tow my car, but there are instances when I might not be there.

I think it's a fine idea to try and figure out ways to improve the "tow truck user interface" rather than take my chances. The labels I got today might work well with some clear strong weather tape over them -- but I think blocking the holes themselves now that I looked at it may be even a better idea.
 

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I think it's a fine idea to try and figure out ways to improve the "tow truck user interface" rather than take my chances. The labels I got today might work well with some clear strong weather tape over them -- but I think blocking the holes themselves now that I looked at it may be even a better idea.
Does anyone know what the holes are for? If it's for weight and material savings, then great... if it's part of ventilation then blocking them might not be a good idea.
 

scoopman

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Does anyone know what the holes are for? If it's for weight and material savings, then great... if it's part of ventilation then blocking them might not be a good idea.
yeah just asked this question -- I wonder if they might be there to drain any moisture, but this is just speculation. Doesn't look like they save much weight. I might try and look at some of the Munro videos to see if there's any discussion or examination of this area before tapin' them up. I think I might make a slit in the tape so if there's really any rain, for example, it might still drain out.
 

Motomax

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yeah just asked this question -- I wonder if they might be there to drain any moisture, but this is just speculation. Doesn't look like they save much weight. I might try and look at some of the Munro videos to see if there's any discussion or examination of this area before tapin' them up. I think I might make a slit in the tape so if there's really any rain, for example, it might still drain out.
You guys are seriously overthinking it. When the tow guy shows up just say “hey dude, couldn’t get it in tow mode so just use wheel Dollies and hook up in front of the front wheels”. It’s not a massive problem.
if you insist on finding a solution then by all means tape it, spray paint it, glue some thumb tacks on it, or whatever else you think might work. It’s just a metal rail, there’s no fancy hidden purpose for it except being a rail. ?
 

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Perhaps I am, but I really don't want this to happen to me.

The rails in question with the holes look to be part of the battery pack and according to Munroe on his video where they drop and examine the pack, the rails are there to absorb crash energy and divert it away from the center of the pack where the ⚡ is. From the video I just watched the holes themselves really don't appear to have any functional purpose and so I'm going to put some black tape over them without much worry.
 

jlauro

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You guys are seriously overthinking it. When the tow guy shows up just say “hey dude, couldn’t get it in tow mode so just use wheel Dollies and hook up in front of the front wheels”. It’s not a massive problem.
if you insist on finding a solution then by all means tape it, spray paint it, glue some thumb tacks on it, or whatever else you think might work. It’s just a metal rail, there’s no fancy hidden purpose for it except being a rail. ?
I can trust myself to tell the tow guy, but can't be so sure if my wife or daughter requires a tow and I am not available even if I tell them what to say...
 

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Perhaps I am, but I really don't want this to happen to me.

The rails in question with the holes look to be part of the battery pack and according to Munroe on his video where they drop and examine the pack, the rails are there to absorb crash energy and divert it away from the center of the pack where the ⚡ is. From the video I just watched the holes themselves really don't appear to have any functional purpose and so I'm going to put some black tape over them without much worry.
How often have you had to use a tow truck in your life? I’m 42 and have never had a car towed before. So “preparing to be towed” is pretty far down on my list of fears.
 

jlauro

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How often have you had to use a tow truck in your life? I’m 42 and have never had a car towed before. So “preparing to be towed” is pretty far down on my list of fears.
If your taking a poll... between my wife and myself at least 3 times (53+57) (getting old, memory fading, I might be forgetting some). So, almost once every couple of decades. Given you are 42, your are about due for one. :D
 

zhackwyatt

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How often have you had to use a tow truck in your life? I’m 42 and have never had a car towed before. So “preparing to be towed” is pretty far down on my list of fears.
Well as luck would have it the same day I reposted the tow point pictures I came out to my car to a flat tire. Getting a tow in the morning.
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