Car Antenna in Car Wash

mparrish · 01-28-2007, 04:50 PM

Has anyone ever taken their Prius through an automated car wash? And if so, have you had any problems with the antenna on the roof? I found myself wanting to go through one today, but didn't because of the visions of those huge rollers snapping the doggone thing.

Tom_06 · 01-28-2007, 05:51 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mparrish @ Jan 28 2007, 04:50 PM) [snapback]382033[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Has anyone ever taken their Prius through an automated car wash? And if so, have you had any problems with the antenna on the roof? I found myself wanting to go through one today, but didn't because of the visions of those huge rollers snapping the doggone thing.
[/b]

Then do what it says in the manual and remove it before sending it through. I do know someone who ignores this and has been lucky so far.

- Tom

MegansPrius · 01-28-2007, 06:00 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ Jan 28 2007, 06:51 PM) [snapback]382049[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Then do what it says in the manual and remove it before sending it through. I do know someone who ignores this and has been lucky so far.

- Tom
[/b]

The antenna unscrews very easily by hand.

**Tideland Prius** · 01-28-2007, 08:35 PM

If you're going through the brushes, take it off!

I've had no problems with touchless ones. The overhead bar clears the antenna. Again, do so at your own risk.

Charles Suitt · 01-29-2007, 10:12 AM

<_< One of the first modifications I made was to replace the original whip antenna with a stubby antenna [found on eBay] - in my case I chose a 2". Receiption seems the same around the Dallas metroplex. When I drive "cross-country," I replace the original whip.

Michgal007 · 01-29-2007, 10:44 AM

I didn't take it off the few times I have been to the car wash. Will take it off when I wash it again.

hycamguy07 · 01-29-2007, 11:37 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mparrish @ Jan 28 2007, 04:50 PM) [snapback]382033[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Has anyone ever taken their Prius through an automated car wash? And if so, have you had any problems with the antenna on the roof? I found myself wanting to go through one today, but didn't because of the visions of those huge rollers snapping the doggone thing.
[/b]

I just remove mine takes less than 60 seconds.....

rudiger · 01-30-2007, 10:16 PM

Depending on how much the radio is used and if a Prius owner intends to frequent car washes, one might consider replacing the factory antenna with one of the popular, aftermarket 'shark fin' radio antennas.

While stylish and significantly reducing the possiblity of a car wash brush removing it, the trade-off of the 'shark fin' radio antennas is reduced radio reception.

Using a 'shark fin' would actually make even more sense if someone were also using a satellite radio service in their Prius.

fphinney · 01-31-2007, 12:44 AM

I too, know about the advisability of unscrewing the antenna before venturing into a car wash.

However - - I keep forgetting. I have actually removed it once. And my antenna has survived the big rotating brush car wash twice with no apparent harm -

lembers · 02-22-2007, 02:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mparrish @ Jan 28 2007, 04:50 PM) [snapback]382033[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Has anyone ever taken their Prius through an automated car wash? And if so, have you had any problems with the antenna on the roof? I found myself wanting to go through one today, but didn't because of the visions of those huge rollers snapping the doggone thing.
[/b]

Just unscrew it. It's only hand tight.

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01-28-2007, 04:50 PM	#1
mparrish Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 45 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Has anyone ever taken their Prius through an automated car wash? And if so, have you had any problems with the antenna on the roof? I found myself wanting to go through one today, but didn't because of the visions of those huge rollers snapping the doggone thing.

01-28-2007, 08:35 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,212 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 370 Thanked 530 Times in 357 Posts Friends: 26	If you're going through the brushes, take it off! I've had no problems with touchless ones. The overhead bar clears the antenna. Again, do so at your own risk.

01-29-2007, 10:12 AM	#5
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,624 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	<_< One of the first modifications I made was to replace the original whip antenna with a stubby antenna [found on eBay] - in my case I chose a 2". Receiption seems the same around the Dallas metroplex. When I drive "cross-country," I replace the original whip.

01-29-2007, 10:44 AM	#6
Michgal007 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 834 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 3	I didn't take it off the few times I have been to the car wash. Will take it off when I wash it again.

01-30-2007, 10:16 PM	#8
rudiger Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 576 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Depending on how much the radio is used and if a Prius owner intends to frequent car washes, one might consider replacing the factory antenna with one of the popular, aftermarket 'shark fin' radio antennas. While stylish and significantly reducing the possiblity of a car wash brush removing it, the trade-off of the 'shark fin' radio antennas is reduced radio reception. Using a 'shark fin' would actually make even more sense if someone were also using a satellite radio service in their Prius.

01-31-2007, 12:44 AM	#9
fphinney Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Walnut Creek CA Posts: 232 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I too, know about the advisability of unscrewing the antenna before venturing into a car wash. However - - I keep forgetting. I have actually removed it once. And my antenna has survived the big rotating brush car wash twice with no apparent harm -