Damned Carwash

[the djay]

The wife was being kind the other day and washed her Jeep and bought me a Car Wash. I went and used it last Night and as I was going through the touch less auto wash, I heard a horrible grinding noise and my steering wheel jerked about for a few seconds then settled down. I went home and put the V in the garage and had supper then we all went out to see the new X-Men flick. I got home and checked my rims on the drivers side and discovered the edge of my alloy wheels were all scratched up on the drivers side front and rear from the track at the wash. Don't Know what is going to be the result after I spoke to the service station owner about this. Wish me luck.

[VersaMG08]

Some of the auto touchless car washes have the wheel scrubber brushes as a cycle. Did you happen to use that?

[jdmVersa]

that sucks man... sorry to hear it. invest in a good amount of detail products. I only clean my vehicles myself, i dont trust anyone.

[the djay]

I don't think that was it, I think maybe the guide and track on the driver's side was out of wack and my wheels rubbed on it. I usually take my V to the hand wash and do it myself but I was in a rush. This isn't going to happen again.

[iluvmyVersa08]

that sucks man... sorry to hear it. invest in a good amount of detail products. I only clean my vehicles myself, i dont trust anyone.

I'm the same way, I don't like the auto washes and I don't like other people washing her. I like washing her myself.

[Moghedian]

Automatic carwashes to me seem about as healthy for the car as rubbing it with sandpaper. Microfiber mitts, towels, and some cold water keep mine looking showroom new.

[MinisterofDOOM]

This is one of those automated ones that drives the car through the wash instead of moving the wash around the car? I use one of those during the winter for the thorough underbody cleaning (to get rid of road salt) and it always makes me nervous. So far nothing has ever gone wrong but there's just too much going on that I'm not in control of for me to feel remotely comfortable. I really hate going through it actually, but rust sucks so I suck it up and hope for the best.

[robj80]

I use the touchless sometimes. It's the one where you just pull in and park and the machine goes around your car. Nothing touches it, no tracks to drive in and it' does a decent job. Only problem is there are sensors that determine the size of your car so when the machine is going around it doesn't hit the car. Well the sensor I guess didn't pick up the side mirrior and it whacked it. No damage so I just popped the mirror back out.

I highly suggest you only use that kind of auto wash. Nothing but water and soap touch your car.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, there are plenty of those around but they don't have underbody sprayers that actually do anything. Normally I avoid automated washes altogether and do the manual spray washes but in the winter I need to take care of the salt and snow accumulation.

[marlin29311]

I wash my own car.

Lol, that always scares me - those tracks can screw your car up real bad if you don't line up 100% correct...not cool at all...

[manvan]

i cant even get on those things, the car sits to low and my new muffler hangs lower than stock, i only use the touchless one around my house, its supposed to really really good for a touchless

[VersaMG08]

Yeah, there are plenty of those around but they don't have underbody sprayers that actually do anything. Normally I avoid automated washes altogether and do the manual spray washes but in the winter I need to take care of the salt and snow accumulation.

The auto touchless washes at gas stations in CO have the underbody sprays that clean bottom of the vehicle. Have you checked the gas stations in UT?

[robj80]

Our touchless in CT have the sprayer as well. There are sensors in the ground and it sprays when your car is above it. The slower you drive the more you get sprayed.

[Moghedian]

I guess I'm just lucky. Work provides indoor parking, and during the winter I can steal the hose and wash my car inside. I can even heat the water if I decide to. Its great for a quick rinse every other day or so during the winter, does awesome getting all the salt and stuff off before it can stick real good and do damage. There's nothing like pulling out of your garage, driving 4 miles to work, then pulling into a heated garage at work. Maybe I should nickname it Spoiled V.

[DrivingHabit]

I try to stay away from them Shell Gas Station Automatic Carwashs, kind where you just put the car in neutral, they ones at Shell gas stations they actually will fold the side mirrors each time the brushes go by cleaning.

[Ginsu]

A touchless carwash snapped the bug deflector on my old truck right in half. That was a couple hundred dollars gone. ****ing crazy that these things are still around. In the winter I use a coin-op wand wash and in the summer I do everything myself with lots of TLC.

Not to be a jerk, but why didn't you check for damage right away?

[the djay]

I was in a rush as I wanted to grab supper and take the family out to a show. X-Men origins......Great Flick. Any way so far Shell has accepted responsibility and I am dealing with their Insurance Company. They suggested a Wheel Repair shop....I checked with the dealer where I bought the V and it is the same one they use and highly recommend.! I have to get a written estimate and fax it to the insurance company and their agent seems to think it will not be a problem.....I'll keep you posted and I am remaining optimistic.