Tesla Tow Raises Warning for Operators Handling EVs
A Florida woman’s dispute over the towing of her Tesla Model 3 offers a cautionary tale for towers handling electric vehicles.
Makyla Monroe says Target Towing in Tampa removed her red Tesla from a parking lot while she was inside a Chipotle restaurant in early October. She alleges the truck lifted the vehicle at one end while its rear wheels remained on the road.
After retrieving the car, Monroe reported dashboard warnings involving the parking-assist and safety-restraint systems. She also claimed her seatbelts no longer worked and attributed the problems to the towing method. However, no independent inspection has confirmed that the tow caused the alleged damage.
Monroe says she paid approximately $185 to recover the vehicle, missed work to retrieve it and subsequently contacted the company multiple times without receiving a response from management. She also says Tesla provided documentation outlining the proper towing procedure.
Tesla’s Model 3 owner’s manual requires all four wheels to remain off the ground during transport, recommending a flatbed or a wheel lift with dollies.
Although the claims remain unverified, the dispute illustrates how improper vehicle handling can expose towing companies to complaints and potential liability.
Source: https://autos.yahoo.com
Comments