I know you are supposed to wash by hand but there is not always time. What "auto" car washes are ok and what are not ok for the car? I have heard that some of the washes with the brushes are good if they are a specific kind. Or is touchless the way to go? Auto Bell? Gas Station washes

 

My 2003 TLs is comming up to it`s first year with me. I can honestly say, it has never been to a car wash! Always been hand washed! But it is your call!

 

touchless ones are fine. Just makes sure that no brushes touch the car, and the biggie is don't use the ones where your wheels go into those metal tracks. They will hack up your wheels. You want the king where you pull into the bay, and the sprayers move all around the vehicle.

 

Agreed, stay away from those. I use to take a POS through one, but it was a POS.

I'm not a fan of any car washes because you never know what kind of detergents, soaps, acid, etc they use. Not a fan of the "hand wash" ones either. They're basically using mitts with OPD (Other Peoples Dirt). Swirl Marks !!!

Touchless is probably the safest thing to do if you have to.

 

There are a few problems with car washes but around me there are a few good ones.

1. They dont clean the car really well so when it comes out and those guys dry they scratch the paint because there is still dirt on the surface.

2. Some times the white wall brush doesnt retract as your car goes through and your wheels get scratched up really bad.

3. Some car washes like to use a brush on the front and back of your car where the machines inside cant reach well.

Avoid those places.

I also think a lot depends on the color of the car, I would never run a black car through a wash but I run my silver TLS through when its really cold out and the paint looks fine.