Automatic Car Washes

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Jan 9, 2024 | 07:35 PM

#16

bkomoff

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Oct 2023

Posts: 17

Likes: 7

From: Oh

Winters in Ohio can be brutal. I buy a monthly unlimited car wash service and go whenever the weather is above freezing and clear.

Jan 10, 2024 | 12:06 PM

#17

YumpinYiminy

Pit Crew

Joined: Dec 2023

Posts: 169

Likes: 43

From: NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by packman12

I just read a story in Car & Driver about new cars with all of the automated systems having issues while using car washes. I don't use a car wash and prefer to hand wash my cars, but I was wondering if the new ES350's had any issues with car washes, whether the drive through yourself kind or when the car wash pulls your car through without a driver. I think the problems stemmed from the automatic emergency braking, rain sensing windshield wipers, and perhaps some other systems. The article said to read the owner's manual and follow any instructions located there, but I could not find anything in my manual that covered this issue.

You live in AZ so hand washing is a good solution. I live in the rust belt so the underside needs to be cleaned because of the salt on the road during winter. I do not recommend those "brushless" car washes. The fabric on the spinning cleaners are dirty. The people that dry your car off use dirty rags.
I am fortunate to have a automated "Laser Wash" near me. It does not use Lasers. It is a total no touch car wash. It has heated water and a super high pressure under wash when you drive in. I used it on my 12 year Solara, 11 year Avalon and now on my 2024 ES350. Absolutely no electrical issues. Plus the new ES's are almost totally covered underneath.