As you may know, I am running my SC through the winter in Ontario. That means, it is going to be covered with snow and salt for the next few months. So I'd like to know - are automatic car washes safes for the SC? I have one in town that is no-touch, and uses fresh water, but I'm concerned about the spray jets. Any potential issues with the top or window seals? A little seepage on the windows I can clean up, but I don't want to get water into the top mechanism.

 

 

I have only had my sc for a few months and have only hand washed it but some of the automated washers are a bit brutal i would be scared of water getting into places you cannot see.
How do these cars handle snow and ice , i have not gone through a winter with mine yet ?
What does the snow button do?

 

I have only hand-washed as well. I guess I'll just have to give the automatic wash a try and then inspect closely.

As for the snow button, I'll let you know, it's still early in the season. I learned to drive with RWD, so I don't expect any issues. I'm running Blizzaks for the winter.

 

I haven't had any issues with the automatic car washes down here in Texas. I wouldn't think that they are much different up there.

As far as the snow button, it basically forces the car to start out in 2nd gear in an attempt to prevent the wheels from slipping on start up.

 

Hey Maarp

If you can help it, put a battery tender on the SC
and don’t drive the car in the snow and or in the
winter.

These car donot do well in heavy rain and snow.
The 18’ wheels are not really designed for the winter
The SC also has a very low front end.

Your SC will thank you ��

As for car wash, the touchless are the best especially
fir dark color cars. Or you risk of getting your car
all swirl up under the sun and then you would have
to do a paint correction which is not good to do it often
as you are cutting each time in the clear coat.

Good luck mate

 

Ah, Jonas, if only I could. I replaced a Miata with the SC, and the one condition from my wife was that it wouldn't just sit all winter like the Miata did. It's the price I had to pay to join the club. Cheers.

 

I would be skeptical of automatic car washes on regular basis, not sure what chemicals/detergents (cheep & harsh?) they may be using.....

 

You and me both. But, the car has three coats of wax, and this will be every 2-3 weeks to knock the worst of the salt and frozen crud off the car. I figure the chemicals can't be as damaging as the road salt.

 

My SC430 has never leaked in auto car washes if that's what you're worried about. Always a good idea in winter to lube the rubber seals everywhere, with silicone or whatever your favorite is. Some people swear by ArmorAll, others swear at it. Your choice, but better than the door seals freezing to the metal surfaces.
As far as harsh chemicals, etc, I had an SC300 for 23 years and ran it through a brushless car wash for most of that time, no deterioration of any surfaces, and some people would still ask me if it was new. And as someone mentioned, the undercarraige wash will be worth it, and is something you really can't do at home.
Better to keep it clean than worry about the tiny risk auto car washes represent.

'Course, if I had saved what 23 years of car washes cost me ...

Jonas (not that other one)

 

 

You do have to make sure your antenna is down. Car washes are the main reason the SC needs so many antenna masts repalced

 

Noted and already planned for. Thanks!

 

That would be surprising since it would be hugely expensive for the business. Mostly they recycle the water and "filter" it. Depending on how that goes, you get fine particles of grit blasted at your car at high pressure. That's the reason I hand wash. One of the newspaper columnists had this a few weeks ago when asked about "dirty water" being blasted at car washes. Even the head of the trade association admitted they just filter the water and re-use it::

 

Well, JohnnyCake, is it better to have the salt and crud washed off or leave it all winter? That's rhetorical, by the way. Hand washing, which I do for 8 months of the year, doesn't work so well at -20C. I'm ok with filtered water, if that's what it is.