Car Washing

lstendig · 11-21-2005, 10:30 PM

I am new Prius owner and I am wondering if there are specific instructions or concerns when taking the Prius through and automatic car wash where you do not remain in the vehicle during the washing?

Would appreciate any advice before going for a car wash.

BobR · 11-21-2005, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lstendig@Nov 21 2005, 10:30 PM
I am new Prius owner and I am wondering if there are specific instructions or concerns when taking the Prius through and automatic car wash where you do not remain in the vehicle during the washing?

Would appreciate any advice before going for a car wash.

[snapback]159524[/snapback]

Ask them if they know how to drive a Prius. When they say yes, don't believe them and show them how to drive it. Then stand there and watch them anyway.

The car has to be in neutral and the fob should be left in the car.

Bob

Canuck · 11-21-2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lstendig@Nov 21 2005, 08:30 PM
I am new Prius owner and I am wondering if there are specific instructions or concerns when taking the Prius through and automatic car wash where you do not remain in the vehicle during the washing?

Would appreciate any advice before going for a car wash.

[snapback]159524[/snapback]

I'm a newbie, only have had the 2005 for a year now but have 8 car washes experience. Take it from one of your elders ..... use only high pressure car washes which allow you to drive into position, press park, and let the equipment run around and do the job., no brushes, no people driving a vehicle they no nothing about, don't worry about your little antenna... it will survive. Show me a vehicle these days that has been touched by human hands,sponges, and /or chamois in the washing process and I guarantee I can point out the swirl scratch marks. Back in the '50's it was more practical to repaint the car every year and forego the carwash. At least it would look ok for weddings and funerals.

daniel · 11-22-2005, 01:24 AM

Do watch out for the rear wiper and the antenna if you go to a car wash with the whirling brushes. They can rip them off. I'd never let anyone drive my Prius, except at the dealership service dept, and even then I'm not happy about it.

I go to the car wash where you put in six quarters and you get 3 minutes with a spray wand or a foamy brush. For three bucks I can get the car washed and rinsed. I dry it with a synthetic chamois.

datavortex · 11-22-2005, 03:43 AM

I use a car wash with spinning brushes. The kind where you drive up to the front, put the car in neutral, and it pushes you through the wash path on rails.

I haven't had any problems. I always have to clean the hard to reach spaces seperately anyway, such as the hubcaps and front grille. I forgot once to take off my antenna and it was fine, but I always intend to take it off.

I went through car washes a few times with the door panels removed (in the middle of installing sound deadening material), and I noticed that water gets inside the doors a little. This happened even with the plastic sheeting (vapor guard) attached, though it has since been discarded. I don't think this is anything to worry about. No water seems to get trapped in the door body.

DaveG · 11-22-2005, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Canuck@Nov 21 2005, 08:50 PM
Show me a vehicle these days that has been touched by human hands,sponges, and /or chamois in the washing process and I guarantee I can point out the swirl scratch marks.

[snapback]159540[/snapback]

Well, mine for one, but I hand-wash it myself, and am very careful to only move the wash mitt in straight lines and keep it very clean, so there are no swirl marks.

But I shudder at the thought of bringing it to a hand-wash place... Even those bikini carwashes that I see the girls at sometimes in the summer... As much as I want to... I just can't bring myself to have the car washed by "outsiders" :P

Dave

MNPrius · 11-22-2005, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveG@Nov 22 2005, 06:36 AM
Well, mine for one, but I hand-wash it myself, and am very careful to only move the wash mitt in straight lines and keep it very clean, so there are no swirl marks.

But I shudder at the thought of bringing it to a hand-wash place... Even those bikini carwashes that I see the girls at sometimes in the summer... As much as I want to... I just can't bring myself to have the car washed by "outsiders" :P

Dave

[snapback]159672[/snapback]

Hey Dave - I'm curious how you accomplish washing it in winter, I note you are from Canada. I need to find somewhere to wash it now that it's cold -- home won't do....and the salt has to come off

Charles Suitt · 11-22-2005, 01:37 PM

<_< To each his own...

My choice so far has been to hand wash myself, avoid Valet Parking situations, and check the tire pressures and oil level when I wash. I replaced the antenna with a short-stubby (2") antenna for automatic or attended car washes - a situation I have avoided for over a year now. So far, radio reception has been good in my Metropolitan Dallas location. If your domicile prevents hand washing, I'd advise one of the "ride your car through" brushless washes.

Simply stated: I do not trust attendants driving my Prius since the Prius is a unique car and many (probably most) attendants would not admit to not knowing "how to drive a Prius."

tmclain · 11-22-2005, 06:25 PM

I took my two week old Prius to the car wash this weekend. It was one that you get to sit in the car as the belt pulls you through the twirling brushes and jets. I had used this place before on my previous vehicle and was really impressed with them. They take off your antenna, tape down loose things (on my old Rodeo, the back wiper was broken and would fall if they didn't), close up your side mirrors, and just do a real nice check around to make sure all would be okay when you go through the tunnel.

This was done on my new Prius, I put the car in neutral, turn off all my accessories because I'd heard stories about the battery having problems with it on in neutral, and off we go through the tunnel. Imagine my panic when I see my driver side mirror unfold. I think "ok, it's not broken, so all is fine"... then the mirror folds backwards. Oh NO!

Nearly ready to cry, I wait until my poor car is out of the tunnel and hop out to check my baby. Whew! All was fine... no scratches, just a nice clean car.

Not sure if I'm going to be able to put myself through that again.

daniel · 11-22-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MNPrius@Nov 22 2005, 04:29 AM
Hey Dave - I'm curious how you accomplish washing it in winter, I note you are from Canada. I need to find somewhere to wash it now that it's cold -- home won't do....and the salt has to come off

[snapback]159677[/snapback]

Dave is in Vancouver. Vancouver is not cold. Not all of Canada is an icebox.

When I lived in Fargo, I seldom washed my car in winter (ND does not use nearly as much salt as MN.) But when I did want to wash it, I did it as I said in a post above: go to a coin-operated place: It's generally above freezing inside, and the water is heated. Just be sure to dry it well so the doors do not freeze shut when you leave.

Maybe you should check out John1701a's Prius web site. I bet he has something there about washing the car in winter, and I bet he washes his car frequently. I can't imagine John driving a dirty Prius.

11-22-2005, 03:43 AM	#5
datavortex Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Posts: 114 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I use a car wash with spinning brushes. The kind where you drive up to the front, put the car in neutral, and it pushes you through the wash path on rails. I haven't had any problems. I always have to clean the hard to reach spaces seperately anyway, such as the hubcaps and front grille. I forgot once to take off my antenna and it was fine, but I always intend to take it off. I went through car washes a few times with the door panels removed (in the middle of installing sound deadening material), and I noticed that water gets inside the doors a little. This happened even with the plastic sheeting (vapor guard) attached, though it has since been discarded. I don't think this is anything to worry about. No water seems to get trapped in the door body. __________________ 2005 #6 driftwood MODS

11-22-2005, 01:37 PM	#8
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 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	<_< To each his own... My choice so far has been to hand wash myself, avoid Valet Parking situations, and check the tire pressures and oil level when I wash. I replaced the antenna with a short-stubby (2") antenna for automatic or attended car washes - a situation I have avoided for over a year now. So far, radio reception has been good in my Metropolitan Dallas location. If your domicile prevents hand washing, I'd advise one of the "ride your car through" brushless washes. Simply stated: I do not trust attendants driving my Prius since the Prius is a unique car and many (probably most) attendants would not admit to not knowing "how to drive a Prius." __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

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11-21-2005, 10:30 PM	#1
lstendig Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I am new Prius owner and I am wondering if there are specific instructions or concerns when taking the Prius through and automatic car wash where you do not remain in the vehicle during the washing? Would appreciate any advice before going for a car wash.

11-22-2005, 01:24 AM	#4
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 11,278 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 59 Thanked 201 Times in 127 Posts Friends: 0	Do watch out for the rear wiper and the antenna if you go to a car wash with the whirling brushes. They can rip them off. I'd never let anyone drive my Prius, except at the dealership service dept, and even then I'm not happy about it. I go to the car wash where you put in six quarters and you get 3 minutes with a spray wand or a foamy brush. For three bucks I can get the car washed and rinsed. I dry it with a synthetic chamois.

11-22-2005, 06:25 PM	#9
tmclain Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I took my two week old Prius to the car wash this weekend. It was one that you get to sit in the car as the belt pulls you through the twirling brushes and jets. I had used this place before on my previous vehicle and was really impressed with them. They take off your antenna, tape down loose things (on my old Rodeo, the back wiper was broken and would fall if they didn't), close up your side mirrors, and just do a real nice check around to make sure all would be okay when you go through the tunnel. This was done on my new Prius, I put the car in neutral, turn off all my accessories because I'd heard stories about the battery having problems with it on in neutral, and off we go through the tunnel. Imagine my panic when I see my driver side mirror unfold. I think "ok, it's not broken, so all is fine"... then the mirror folds backwards. Oh NO! Nearly ready to cry, I wait until my poor car is out of the tunnel and hop out to check my baby. Whew! All was fine... no scratches, just a nice clean car. Not sure if I'm going to be able to put myself through that again.