*sigh* Okay, I KNOW I'm not supposed to take my MINI through a car wash, and I guess now I've learned my lesson. Luckily, I did not suffer any damage to my MINI, but I did come through the car wash minus one EZ-Pass.

I just got back from vacation and my MINI was pretty filthy after sitting all week. The outside hose hookup for car washes at my apartment complex isn't working, so I decided to take it down the street to the new car wash that just opened, Ashburn Auto Wash. They do a pretty good job on my boyfriend's new Jeep Liberty, so I thought it wouldn't be so bad for my MINI.

I ran some errands first, and came back through the toll road (I know my EZ Pass was still there at that time, or I couldn't have gotten through). After paying at the car wash, the guy motioned me in - I quickly jumped out to take the antenna down since no one seemed to move in that direction. Car went through the wash pretty well and I pulled it up to the bay to have the interior done. When I came back out I noticed a lot of weird dark spots on the car - the guy told me they were probably from tree sap, which is a little odd since my car wasn't parked anywhere near any trees, but oh well.

I drove it home and walked inside to get some detailing stuff since they didn't do a very good job. I started to try to get the spots off the bonnet when I noticed my external EZ-Pass was no longer there! Even the screws were missing - but the plate and plate holder weren't damaged at all. I called the manager, but he didn't even know what an external EZ Pass was. Drove down with my picture. He said he has already checked the run - and it wasn't there (which, how did he do that if he didn't know what it looked like?). His defense that none of his employees would have taken it was that "none of them drive, why would they take it"? Then he sort of mocked me and asked why on earth did I have a picture of it... *grrrr*. Non-MINI owners just don't understand!

So luckily, I was able to indicate it was stolen with only a few clicks of EZ-Pass' website and won't be liable for any charges. Of course, it cost me a $29.40 "status change fee", but another one is on it's way to me in about 2-3 weeks.

I think I'm going to look into mounting my internal EZ-Pass in the rear sunroof instead, though. Has anyone done this in VA? Just wondering if the SmartTag booths are more sensitive then the EZ-Pass booths.

 

my ez pass velcros right next to the rearview (inside)... i didn't know there were external ones? i've never had a problem with mine...

 

Yep - They make the external ones for cars with polarized windshields. They don't charge you any additional amount to request an external tag, even if you don't have a car with a polarized windshield. My experience, however, seems to indicate the drawback of that plan!

I had an internal tag mounted in the windshield behind the rearview mirror in my last car and really hated it there. When I ordered my MINI, I requested an external tag. It's worked great for the last month! I'm considering various locking mechanisms for it now, if I can't get the internal one mounted in the rear sunroof. Luckily, I still have my internal tag and will use that while I wait for my new external tag to arrive.

As far as I know, I think EZ-Pass (NY) is the only one that offers the external tag. I don't think SmartTag (VA) offers it.

 

VA does offer the external Smart Tag.

 

i have had both, internal and external....the external ones(yeah, i had more than one) were unreliable. I am not sure if the weather/elements/flying stones effects them more than the internal ones, but the external ones only lasted 7-8 months before I started getting the MD Toll Booth red lights every now and again. now the good news there, is that, they take a photo and then check your account. so in the long run its not a biggy. I have had the internal one for 1+ with no issues. personally, i wouldnt recommend an external ez-pass unless you need it because of your glass. That red light and buzzer always made me feel like I was going to have a fleet of cops following me from the toll booth..........and smokey and bandit, I am not.

 

Yes, I live in VA, and I've done this. It works perfectly on the Dulles Toll Road, and the car has also been driven through toll booths all the way to Rhode Island without a problem. I got the idea from this article on MotoringFile - I even went the extra step and COVERED my EZ-Pass (except for the serial number sticker) with black electrical tape. A totally stealth install!

Go ahead, you won't regret it. :smile:

 

Also no problems with a rear sunroof install. I've been to New York and back, and through Pennsylvania with no problems.

A word of warning though! Either get the original fastener strips to install it on the sunroof, or get Velcro Extreme. If you get regular Velcro, or the 3M version of it, the glue ends up melting, and it'll fall down in a week! The glue used on the original strips and on Velcro Extreme seem to have a much higher melting/softening point, and I haven't had a problem yet!

-Paul!

 

they're like three bucks on ebay. Incidently - I sometimes have a problem with my NJ EZ-Pass in MD. I don't know why but the harbor tunnel sometimes gives me a non-payment violation - complete with my MINI's picture - yet when I check my NJ online statement the amount was deducted correctly from my account - and no I'm not speeding through the plaza!

 

Or get one of those that bolt onto the front plate.

Ugly as ugly can be.