I have a feeling the consensus will be a resounding NO, but the debate was raised with some neighbors recently - one for, one against, and both are high-end car drivers. A sub topic was whether or not a ceramic coat offers more protection against these cloth washes.

 

Living in Pennsylvania, it's difficult to wash your car during the winter months. I found a car wash that uses only water - no brushes - and does a superior job. Other than that I use one of the DIY stalls where you soak the car with high pressure water, then soap, and finally a rinse. I then park elsewhere and completely dry the car. The rest of the year it's in the driveway and then a wax job. I have found that applying the ceramic wax keeps the car cleaner longer. Must be more slippery and the dirt slides off. I use Meguiar's ceramic wax and, if applied correctly, does an absolutely outstanding job.

 

My ES has NEVER been through an auto car wash. My wife's RX has during winter months when she can't stand the filth but rarely

 

I used to with my previous cars but after seeing the damages it had caused, I'll never go back. may consider as a very last resort in like 5-10 years when I stop caring as much

 

This year was the first time I used a car wash for the ES... I previously washed the car through the winter months with the water freezing before I could dry the car... Must be my age 'cause I'm not doing that anymore... The "water only" wash is a good alternative IMO... no swirl marks. The car is pristine... Time marches on...

 

Yeah my neighbors make fun of me cause they see me out there washing the car as long as it's above 32°

 

God bless you Michael... Those days are over for me...LOL

Bob C.

 

I enjoy it Bob And it counts as exercise - I actually asked my Dr

 

Same here with the ES. Never visited a car wash. I did break down one day this winter when the RX was filthy from driving on chemically treated roads - and the temps warmed to 33 degrees so I thought I could get all the door jams and drips wiped down before everything froze. I wanted to include the undercarriage which is hard to do in my driveway with my little pressure washer. As it turns out, I didn’t quite get it wiped down before it started freezing, but a few minutes back home in a heated garage and I was able to finish. Bottom line is I will on very rare occasions go to a machine wash during the coldest part of the winter, but generally avoid them because I’m too OCD about the car’s finish. If I was leasing I probably wouldn’t be as concerned as i know a new car is on the horizon.

 

Ditto. I find it kind of cathartic. Some people garden for stress relief. I have always found detailing my cars serves that purpose.

 

I’ve never used an automatic car wash in my life. I’ve heard too many stories of cars being damaged by them. I personally use a self serve car wash, but I don’t use the foam brush. Just spraying water on the car and wiping it off with a chamois is good enough. Those brushes put swirl marks on your car.

 

My ES goes through brush automatic car washes, touchless washes, DIY wand wash and normal hand washes at home. There is no discrimination here LOL.

The ES is not a Rolls Royce, it doesn't need to be pampered, it's a daily driver type car and not rare, unique, or valuable.

 

My only rule is no automated washes that touch the car in any way whether it be the body or the wheels (rollers). I also just enjoy doing it myself.

 

My lexus dealer from day 1 uses the automatic car wash on every new car they sell. I questioned this and was told that process had greatly improved

 

Call me OCD when it comes to cars. Not only do I wash them weekly (weather permitting) but I also vacuum them weekly. I bought a Dyson handheld just for that purpose