Problem worsened by tow driver

[jaythree]

Finally getting my Air back tomorrow, three full weeks after it was picked up.

Last Wednesday, I got a call from Tim, the service manager in Chicago. He was trying to figure out what happened during the tow. He asked if the car was dragged onto the flatbed. I told him the driver used skids under the rear tires but not the front. While it was being pulled, the front wheels were definitely rolling, and the car was in park.

I also mentioned that when the car was transferred to the second flatbed (the one that delivered it to Coldwater service), it was dragged again. This time, all four wheels were turning. He asked, “Do you have video of this?” I told him I did and sent it to him.

Turns out the original error I saw, “vehicle not drivable, do not tow, contact customer care”, should have been a red flag. When they ignored it and pulled the car up anyway, a new error popped up: “drive system fault.”

According to Tim, dragging the car without skids likely damaged both motors. The first red screen might have just been a battery or computer issue, but improper towing made it worse. Apparently, tow drivers need specific training to handle Lucids. Somewhere along the line, that was missed.

Not my problem at this point. Just hoping this is the last of it and the car drives like new, with no signs of the motor replacements. Onward and upward.

 

[Nunya]

Sounds like he is suggesting the tow driver was negligent. I assume there is a documented tow procedure in the owner's manual. Was the tow truck from Lucid or a 3rd party? And since your first call was to Lucid service they should have said something at that point if a non-standard tow process was needed.

Glad you are getting it back.

 

[Ktw13]

Just to give you reference that this is not unique to Lucid, back in Feb. 2021 I purchased a Mercedes E450 convertible. Got it home without issue but when I tried to start it an hour later, it was dead and got error messages. Get it towed back to dealer and diagnosed as bad 48 volt battery (car is a mild hybrid). After sitting at dealer for more than a week, found out that due to covid supply chain issues, the 48v battery was 2 month back ordered. Started looking around at possible replacement cars and could not find similar blue top over white car configured like ours. Fortunately dealer realized they could pull a 48v battery from a CLS450 on the lot (CLS’s were not selling well) and put it in our car. 4 years later, car has been virtually trouble free.

I have read a lot about E class before pulling the trigger on 2021 E53, 48v system is the biggest problem of the otherwise reliable car.

 

[jaythree]

Sounds like he is suggesting the tow driver was negligent. I assume there is a documented tow procedure in the owner's manual. Was the tow truck from Lucid or a 3rd party? And since your first call was to Lucid service they should have said something at that point if a non-standard tow process was needed.

Glad you are getting it back.

Two trucks, one local company (to pull onto a flat bed then transfer to the other truck which didn't have a lift.) Neither used proper procedure. The local driver used the skids on the rears which is correct if it were rear wheel drive. Seems like neither was asked if they knew how to tow a Lucid or instructed.

 

[victoryroad]

Two trucks, one local company (to pull onto a flat bed then transfer to the other truck which didn't have a lift.) Neither used proper procedure. The local driver used the skids on the rears which is correct if it were rear wheel drive. Seems like neither was asked if they knew how to tow a Lucid or instructed.

What is the proper flatbed procedure with a "do not tow" message? FWIW, customer service is no longer active on Sundays so we are SOL with a Sunday problem.

 

[borski]

What is the proper flatbed procedure with a "do not tow" message? FWIW, customer service is no longer active on Sundays so we are SOL with a Sunday problem.

Instructions for Transporters

 

[Bdr100]

I have read a lot about E class before pulling the trigger on 2021 E53, 48v system is the biggest problem of the otherwise reliable car.

Apparently there was a bad batch of 48v batteries back then. Once we got new battery in car, it has been rock solid for past 4+ years.

 

[vishwa]

I hope your car is back and hasn't had any issues @jaythree. Can't say the same for mine. It came back week before last (they drove it home). I then tried to drive it and got exactly the same problem as before, "Drive System Fault", and the car re-bricked. They sent the loaner back. Towed my Lucid out. It is now two weeks and I have been told they will prioritize my car. At this time all I care about is that they truly identify what the problem with the car is. If they are confident in the diagnosis I feel confident in the fix. I don't know if it is insufficient vehicle telemetry or some fundamental issue with my car. No idea when I will have it back. I have driven the car all of two days since June 21 when I picked it up.