auto-park valet, Vehicle Damage?

AllForTheCash · 01-08-2011, 06:38 PM

Just wondering if anyone has ever used the auto-park garages??

The Link is here if you don't know what I'm talking about:

:-Welcome to Park Plus Inc-:

State-of-the Art parking garage in Towson

It looks like it grabs the car by the wheels within the platform. Wonder if it damages the car at all...or if there is a chance of damaging it?

christian370z · 01-08-2011, 07:09 PM

I think the system that grabs the wheels looks like it should not cause any damage. The only issue I could see would be clearance on the undercarriage with the automated parking assembly on low cars.

crash1369 · 01-08-2011, 07:22 PM

That thing is probably covered in sensors monitoring every conceivable angle, at least I hope it is. So hopefully if the car was to low, or to tall, or wide, or whatever, it would warn you and/ or just not do anything.

As far as damage to the car is concerned the parts in question just press against the insides of the tires, they probably never even touch the wheels themselves but either way at least it's on the inside so it's somewhat unimportant.

My real concern would be later on down the road when everything is dirty, neglected, and they start slacking on maintenance. I'm not sure what would happen if (when?) the machine breaks, but of course that would depend on what breaks and how severely of course.
But that thing is probably severely overbuilt and I would expect pretty durable. It would be a huge liability if it were to break, but for that same reason I expect you'll be seeing those garages out of order regularly.

AllForTheCash · 01-08-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash1369

That thing is probably covered in sensors monitoring every conceivable angle, at least I hope it is. So hopefully if the car was to low, or to tall, or wide, or whatever, it would warn you and/ or just not do anything.

As far as damage to the car is concerned the parts in question just press against the insides of the tires, they probably never even touch the wheels themselves but either way at least it's on the inside so it's somewhat unimportant.

My real concern would be later on down the road when everything is dirty, neglected, and they start slacking on maintenance. I'm not sure what would happen if (when?) the machine breaks, but of course that would depend on what breaks and how severely of course.
But that thing is probably severely overbuilt and I would expect pretty durable. It would be a huge liability if it were to break, but for that same reason I expect you'll be seeing those garages out of order regularly.

Well that's the concern. Also if it does "grab" by the wheels (which it looks like it does from the video)...What about the low-profile tires with 20" rims? Damage risk? I think so

crash1369 · 01-08-2011, 08:06 PM

There is certainly a risk but it would be low on my list of concerns unless you had some sort of plating that could be chipped. That would eventually show up but if your wheels were that delicate they wouldn't last long on the street anyway

kenchan · 01-08-2011, 10:14 PM

Looks great...until they breakdown, or breaks your car. I wouldn't take my Z. Find a better place to live.

shadoquad · 01-08-2011, 10:20 PM

The Towson one is not far from me.

I don't like the looks of it. I don't trust human valets, and I don't take my car to automatic car washes... 2+2=4

AllForTheCash · 01-09-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Looks great...until they breakdown, or breaks your car. I wouldn't take my Z. Find a better place to live.

Why can't people just build a normal garage

It looks like it would knock the alignment off on your car!!!

IDZRVIT · 01-09-2011, 09:14 AM

What a great idea! I don't see any more risk in using this automated system than the risks involved using a conventional underground garage parking the vehicle yourself. The chances of getting your door dinged are eliminated and that's a plus.

AllForTheCash · 01-09-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDZRVIT

What a great idea! I don't see any more risk in using this automated system than the risks involved using a conventional underground garage parking the vehicle yourself. The chances of getting your door dinged are eliminated and that's a plus.

That is 100% right. Once the car is in your bay its stored away until you want it.

I guess no one here has ever tried a system like this.

crash1369 · 01-11-2011, 05:56 AM

Yeah I was going to say I would avoid these things, if there were any around. But as I started typing that, I started thinking about the people working in parking garages... or just wondering around in them

I would say the risks are probably pretty much on par with each other

I want a Z · 01-11-2011, 08:19 AM

you don't have to worry about people dinging your car with their doors
and it looks like it's more secure then a regular garage, no way you car can be stolen

01-08-2011, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
AllForTheCash Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 385 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 14	auto-park valet, Vehicle Damage? Just wondering if anyone has ever used the auto-park garages?? The Link is here if you don't know what I'm talking about: :-Welcome to Park Plus Inc-: State-of-the Art parking garage in Towson It looks like it grabs the car by the wheels within the platform. Wonder if it damages the car at all...or if there is a chance of damaging it? __________________ 2010 370z Brilliant Silver/Frost - Touring - Sport - Navigation - 6MT

01-08-2011, 07:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 431	I think the system that grabs the wheels looks like it should not cause any damage. The only issue I could see would be clearance on the undercarriage with the automated parking assembly on low cars. __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

01-08-2011, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
crash1369 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tobyharlem Age: 41 Posts: 474 Drives: C300 - 6spd Rep Power: 728	That thing is probably covered in sensors monitoring every conceivable angle, at least I hope it is. So hopefully if the car was to low, or to tall, or wide, or whatever, it would warn you and/ or just not do anything. As far as damage to the car is concerned the parts in question just press against the insides of the tires, they probably never even touch the wheels themselves but either way at least it's on the inside so it's somewhat unimportant. My real concern would be later on down the road when everything is dirty, neglected, and they start slacking on maintenance. I'm not sure what would happen if (when?) the machine breaks, but of course that would depend on what breaks and how severely of course. But that thing is probably severely overbuilt and I would expect pretty durable. It would be a huge liability if it were to break, but for that same reason I expect you'll be seeing those garages out of order regularly. __________________ "At no point during your rambling, incoherent response did you ever come close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. We are all now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul."

01-08-2011, 08:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
crash1369 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tobyharlem Age: 41 Posts: 474 Drives: C300 - 6spd Rep Power: 728	There is certainly a risk but it would be low on my list of concerns unless you had some sort of plating that could be chipped. That would eventually show up but if your wheels were that delicate they wouldn't last long on the street anyway __________________ "At no point during your rambling, incoherent response did you ever come close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. We are all now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul."

01-09-2011, 09:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
IDZRVIT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,659 Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette Rep Power: 26	What a great idea! I don't see any more risk in using this automated system than the risks involved using a conventional underground garage parking the vehicle yourself. The chances of getting your door dinged are eliminated and that's a plus. __________________ "America.... still builds rockets!" Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp '13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

01-08-2011, 10:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	Looks great...until they breakdown, or breaks your car. I wouldn't take my Z. Find a better place to live.

01-08-2011, 10:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3886	The Towson one is not far from me. I don't like the looks of it. I don't trust human valets, and I don't take my car to automatic car washes... 2+2=4

01-11-2011, 05:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
crash1369 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tobyharlem Age: 41 Posts: 474 Drives: C300 - 6spd Rep Power: 728	Yeah I was going to say I would avoid these things, if there were any around. But as I started typing that, I started thinking about the people working in parking garages... or just wondering around in them I would say the risks are probably pretty much on par with each other __________________ "At no point during your rambling, incoherent response did you ever come close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. We are all now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul."

01-11-2011, 08:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
I want a Z Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MD Posts: 225 Drives: 03 Chevy Avalanche Rep Power: 14	you don't have to worry about people dinging your car with their doors and it looks like it's more secure then a regular garage, no way you car can be stolen

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