So does anybody's dealer wash their car for free?
05-13-2013, 09:48 AM
#1
So does anybody's dealer wash their car for free?
Dropped off my TL for oil change, tire rotation, and rear diff change.
Every time i had dropped it off before, it got washed. Now all of a sudden there has been an "Acura Service change" and its $10 to get it washed. Apparently, even though I bought the oil change plan, I didn't pay for car washes.
Heck, I just thought getting my car washed after getting serviced was a benefit of owning an Acura! lol!
They even washed it after I took it in to get the battery replaced without charging me. So I'm curious as to what really is going on with this so called service change.
Anyone else get or used to get free car washes?
Or have you always had to pay?
Just curious.
Every time i had dropped it off before, it got washed. Now all of a sudden there has been an "Acura Service change" and its $10 to get it washed. Apparently, even though I bought the oil change plan, I didn't pay for car washes.
Heck, I just thought getting my car washed after getting serviced was a benefit of owning an Acura! lol!
They even washed it after I took it in to get the battery replaced without charging me. So I'm curious as to what really is going on with this so called service change.
Anyone else get or used to get free car washes?
Or have you always had to pay?
Just curious.
05-13-2013, 10:02 AM
#2
Suzuka Master
I get free washes.. haven't taken it in a while but got a free wash then.
You'll get plenty responses of people here that will not let them wash it for fear of paint damage.
You'll get plenty responses of people here that will not let them wash it for fear of paint damage.
05-13-2013, 11:10 AM
#6
They always ask me if I want it washed or not before giving me the service receipt. I only had them wash my silver 4G once, it was free. After I started to get really picky about washing techniques I never allowed them to again. Consider yourself lucky that they're no longer washing it for free; Sir would you like me to damage your paint for $10s?
05-13-2013, 11:29 AM
#7
shenanigans
My dealer washes both my MDX and TSX for free every time. Sometimes they will try and sell me on the "Executive Detail" they offer but I just get the free wash and vacuum.
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05-13-2013, 11:29 AM
#8
Suzuka Master
My gf's TSX gets washed with every oil change, but they run it through a machine, since her car is leased I don't mind. If I owned the cars I would never let them wash it. My owned cars I always wash and wax myself.
05-13-2013, 11:37 AM
#9
Although still free at my dealer, I decline the vac and wash. After I watched the way they wash cars, they will not get near my paint again. Made me cringe. Besides, when my car arrives at the dealer, it is likely cleaner than when most cars leave the dealer after their vac and wash.
05-13-2013, 01:01 PM
#15
Free swirls like "Potmilkz"'said but followed by the "Executive Detail Package"
If you like you paint swirl free don't let them wash your car.
Stew4HD will probably say I am paranoid lol
If you like you paint swirl free don't let them wash your car.
Stew4HD will probably say I am paranoid lol
05-13-2013, 01:35 PM
#16
Free car wash and manicure at my dealer every Wednesday. You should see my toes!!!
05-13-2013, 01:43 PM
#17
Suzuka Master
Swirls in paint add character.. refract the light too! I hate glare and the swirls help keep that down.. not to mention the sanding of the clearcoat to further reduce shine! Dats for me!
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05-13-2013, 01:46 PM
#19
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
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my dealer always washes the cars after service for free, not mine necessarily, since i won't let them touch them with a 10 foot pole. my cars show up on their doorstep cleaner than the cars they have in the showroom and they leave the same way without the "free courtesy wash."
however, most folks bringing their cars into my dealer, get their free courtesy wash (with extra swirl and scratch options provided at no additional charge). isn't that why they go to the dealer for service?
however, most folks bringing their cars into my dealer, get their free courtesy wash (with extra swirl and scratch options provided at no additional charge). isn't that why they go to the dealer for service?
05-13-2013, 01:48 PM
#20
Pro
When we had our 2000 TL the local dealer (Keyes) always washed the car at no charge. Keyes is no longer around so I have been bringing our 2012 TL to Center and, again, they have always done free washes with any service.
05-13-2013, 02:48 PM
#22
Moderator
on lighter color like white and silver.. most owners cant tell if swirls are induced or not.. on a black car.. you can clearly tell.
Few months ago, i recently detailed my car.. polished, sealed and waxed probably a week before and was very clean and swirl free, brought it to the dealer to have something fixed really quick and i specfically stated to not wash my car. Wrote it in big letters and circled it on the service sheet.. and well.. they washed it, swirls all over the car, each and every panel.
now i dont even go to the dealer.
Few months ago, i recently detailed my car.. polished, sealed and waxed probably a week before and was very clean and swirl free, brought it to the dealer to have something fixed really quick and i specfically stated to not wash my car. Wrote it in big letters and circled it on the service sheet.. and well.. they washed it, swirls all over the car, each and every panel.
now i dont even go to the dealer.
05-13-2013, 03:32 PM
#23
Drifting
Free washes at my dealer. Although I have them wash it very sparingly. Even-though they wash by hand, they sometimes leave light swirl marks.
05-13-2013, 03:42 PM
#24
Burning Brakes
Mine still do but I feel better washing it myself LOL. They do do hand wash but they don't really do a great job at it. Just like I don't take my car to a car wash machine or hand car wash shop. I won't be satisified with the outcome because I know I can do it better.
05-13-2013, 06:15 PM
#26
Well...my dealer offers complimentary wash but as others have stated, if you care about your vehicle, you will not take advantage of this feature. I am as anal as they get and my car is never going to go through their wash department, not that they aren't good or caring, but they just don't have the system I have *lol*
And as TLtrigirl stated, my vehicle is cleaner than anything they have in their inventory, including the showroom. Just to give you an idea on how anal I get, I will never allow them to lube my door hinges during an oil change as they gunk up the inside of the doors. I do it myself with attention to details and putting the lubricant on the moving part of the hinges and no where else...
And as TLtrigirl stated, my vehicle is cleaner than anything they have in their inventory, including the showroom. Just to give you an idea on how anal I get, I will never allow them to lube my door hinges during an oil change as they gunk up the inside of the doors. I do it myself with attention to details and putting the lubricant on the moving part of the hinges and no where else...
05-13-2013, 07:12 PM
#27
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
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i also leave a note in the car for the tech as a reminder "Please DO NOT wash me. Thanks!" So far so good. there was only one time it went through the wash even with a note 
i was livid. he got an earful, and a massive complaint (there were some other things about that particular visit that took it to that level)...i believe that tech is no longer with the dealer (not b/c of me, but an accumulation of "bad" things that hurt the dept).
i was livid. he got an earful, and a massive complaint (there were some other things about that particular visit that took it to that level)...i believe that tech is no longer with the dealer (not b/c of me, but an accumulation of "bad" things that hurt the dept).
05-13-2013, 09:04 PM
#29
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
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^^i had my roof rack on the car at the time which should have been a clear indication that the car is not to be run through the car wash, the tech missed the sign, and the SA at the time...i about ripped him a new one. add insult to injury, i got back into the car only to find the tech was using my car as his personal stereo system since the volume level was at 30! that took it over the top and i complained up a storm to the customer relations person. the SA got word and apologized profusely. he then offered a free hand wash and detail the next time i came in. i declined and told him that when i wash and detail my car, i put a hell of lot more pride into then his detail dept ever would.
potm-in your case i'd be pissed too, since you had the note, you detailed the car to a swirl free finish only to have those idiots marr the paint all over again.
maybe the guy was color blind? red ink and all...then again it doesn't forgive him for not being able to read!
potm-in your case i'd be pissed too, since you had the note, you detailed the car to a swirl free finish only to have those idiots marr the paint all over again.
maybe the guy was color blind? red ink and all...then again it doesn't forgive him for not being able to read!
05-13-2013, 09:41 PM
#30
Drifting
Yes, my local dealer does give a free wash, but it's done quite poorly. It is NOT that clean afterwards, and the vehicle certainly was not dried so it gets a bit interesting during the freezing winter months here in Calgary....
BTW, you know that you get these Acura dealership feedback survey after your service? I got many of them in the States before I moved to Canada. Many times, I stated that everything was good except for the DIRTY car wash.... well, it did not do any good as they continued their lousy job with the car wash. What a useless survey! LOL
BTW, you know that you get these Acura dealership feedback survey after your service? I got many of them in the States before I moved to Canada. Many times, I stated that everything was good except for the DIRTY car wash.... well, it did not do any good as they continued their lousy job with the car wash. What a useless survey! LOL
05-13-2013, 10:08 PM
#32
Team Owner
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05-14-2013, 08:41 AM
#35
At best I can imagine they use a "soft" bristle broom or dirty mitts, soap them from a tub full of water/soap/dirt and no grit guard, then do a terrible dry job with the same terry or MF towels they used on the previous 30 cars before you
05-14-2013, 09:02 AM
#36
i also leave a note in the car for the tech as a reminder "Please DO NOT wash me. Thanks!" So far so good. there was only one time it went through the wash even with a note i was livid. he got an earful, and a massive complaint (there were some other things about that particular visit that took it to that level)...i believe that tech is no longer with the dealer (not b/c of me, but an accumulation of "bad" things that hurt the dept).
i was livid. he got an earful, and a massive complaint (there were some other things about that particular visit that took it to that level)...i believe that tech is no longer with the dealer (not b/c of me, but an accumulation of "bad" things that hurt the dept).
05-14-2013, 09:05 AM
#37
on lighter color like white and silver.. most owners cant tell if swirls are induced or not.. on a black car.. you can clearly tell.
Few months ago, i recently detailed my car.. polished, sealed and waxed probably a week before and was very clean and swirl free, brought it to the dealer to have something fixed really quick and i specfically stated to not wash my car. Wrote it in big letters and circled it on the service sheet.. and well.. they washed it, swirls all over the car, each and every panel.
now i dont even go to the dealer.
Few months ago, i recently detailed my car.. polished, sealed and waxed probably a week before and was very clean and swirl free, brought it to the dealer to have something fixed really quick and i specfically stated to not wash my car. Wrote it in big letters and circled it on the service sheet.. and well.. they washed it, swirls all over the car, each and every panel.
now i dont even go to the dealer.
05-14-2013, 09:22 AM
#38
Burning Brakes
Acura of Brooklyn gives a free car wash coupon, about 1/2 a mile away
05-14-2013, 10:00 AM
#39
05-14-2013, 01:16 PM
#40
CTSV,TL, Audi Q7 & A5SB
Although still free at my dealer, I decline the vac and wash. After I watched the way they wash cars, they will not get near my paint again. Made me cringe. Besides, when my car arrives at the dealer, it is likely cleaner than when most cars leave the dealer after their vac and wash.
My dealer offers “free” washes with service, but no thanks! I never allow the dealer to wash my cars.
During a recent service visit while I was waiting for the TL I was watching two guys clean the cars and I couldn’t believe it. I can’t count how many times the wash brush hit the floor so who knows what the brush picked up.
So their finishing up this black MDX and one of the guys is cleaning the windows with paper towels and starts to use the dry paper towel to dry the remaining water that was dripping out of the mirrors. He then sprays a little of the window cleaner on the door and continues drying it with the paper towel.
I can’t imagine how many swirls this one guy alone put on just that passenger door.