Car wash and smart keys
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Car wash and smart keys
In my old Lexus, I am leaving car keys in the ignition when I am taking it to the car wash.
How do you guys handling those smart keys in new models? Leaving inside the car or keeping with you? Does car wash personnel knows how to handle those?
How do you guys handling those smart keys in new models? Leaving inside the car or keeping with you? Does car wash personnel knows how to handle those?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 83
From: AZ
I agree, the only option is to leave them in the car - cup holder, console bin or whatever. I actually try to make mine a little hard to locate - like the change holder to the left of the steering wheel - because it concerns me a little when they either try to place the smart key on the windshield or somewhere away from the car. And even if the car is running when I get in it I will often turn it off and restart it to make sure they have returned the correct smart key to me. Hiding it a bit makes it less likely they it will get dropped or lost and if the car starts for them they don't look much beyond the cup holder for the key.
I remember when smart keys came into play maybe 10 years ago already there was a lot of concern and instructions about how to deal with car washes but they became commonplace pretty quickly. I remember the first few times with a BMW smart key the car wash guys would sit in the car all the way through the car wash - I think with the car running. Seems funny now.
Dave Mac
I remember when smart keys came into play maybe 10 years ago already there was a lot of concern and instructions about how to deal with car washes but they became commonplace pretty quickly. I remember the first few times with a BMW smart key the car wash guys would sit in the car all the way through the car wash - I think with the car running. Seems funny now.
Dave Mac
Driver
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 105
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
I also leave my smart key inside one of the cup holders. For the first few times I took her for a wash I forgot to leave my key in the car and the attendant had to come after me. Since I only go to my Lexus dealer for their complimentary wash (they do a great job), I never have a problem with the attendants knowing how to start the car.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 250
Likes: 19
From: California
I do not trust car washes. I wash it, and the dealer washes it after service.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
If you don't trust car washes you certainly should not trust the dealer to wash it. I've had FAR, FAR more damage done to my car by one simple wash from the dealer than I ever have my high quality carwash I use.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5,304
Likes: 1,593
From: SE PA
So I don't trust dealer car washes OR commercial car washes. My car hasn't been to either in almost 4 years.
Most commercial car wash places have a bunch of idiots working for them who look for loose change while drying your car and do a poor job at it. Most but not all. My buddy had his Corvette run into a fence by one of these clowns.
Most commercial car wash places have a bunch of idiots working for them who look for loose change while drying your car and do a poor job at it. Most but not all. My buddy had his Corvette run into a fence by one of these clowns.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 1,034
From: Illinois
I know that, for me, my cars are only washed by me by hand. It has been decades since one of my vehicles has been to a car wash, and, when I visit a dealer, I ask that they not wash the car.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
I don't love commercial carwashes either, but quite frankly at this stage in my life with my work responsibilities and schedule coupled with having two young kids, free time is at a minimum and I just don't have time to hand wash my cars regularly. Hell, I only have time to run the van through the carwash every month or so.
The only way to get my car washed once a week is to run it through the carwash. I found a really good one, high quality equipment, uses lots of lubricating soap, they use all microfiber towels to dry and its kept damage and swirling to a minimum.
The only way to get my car washed once a week is to run it through the carwash. I found a really good one, high quality equipment, uses lots of lubricating soap, they use all microfiber towels to dry and its kept damage and swirling to a minimum.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I am sure that anyone have own reasons to prefer one car was over another.
I was lucky damagewise with either. But one thing that they have in common - towels are not very clean when they wiping windshield from inside. I always have to correct this with my paper towels to remove stains that becoming visible in cool weather conditions. Other than that I am OK with dealer wash. I can have the opportunity to check different models up close, chat with salespeople, say hello to my favorite service advisor, etc.
I was lucky damagewise with either. But one thing that they have in common - towels are not very clean when they wiping windshield from inside. I always have to correct this with my paper towels to remove stains that becoming visible in cool weather conditions. Other than that I am OK with dealer wash. I can have the opportunity to check different models up close, chat with salespeople, say hello to my favorite service advisor, etc.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,471
Likes: 958
From: IL
As far as telling the dealer not to wash it, I asked them at my 10k not to, but they did anyways. The car was spotless when I brought it in. It looked like crap after they washed it. All they said was "sorry".
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 250
Likes: 19
From: California
The dealer inspects it before service, and I inspect it after service. I have owned Lexus since 1990, and never experience a problem.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
You've been very fortunate lol. Just search for "dealer wash" here, and google "dealer wash" and see. Very common problem, and when I was detailing cars back years ago I would do at least 2 a week that had been destroyed by a simple dealer wash. I myself have had three different Lexus dealers horribly swirled and scratched up by dealer washes at three separate Lexus dealers.