Hi all,
I'm no engineer or metal expert, but I was wondering, is it bad to immediately hose down your wheels immediately after hard driving? I know that after hard driving and braking, the wheels and rims will become very hot. Is it bad to immediately spray it with cold water? Will the effect of the cold water affect the metal adversely (i.e. warp the rotors).
Thanks!

 

YUP...It’s a good way to warp your rotors, but the steam show can be quite impressive.

 

That's a bad thing to do.. Try to stay away from the rotors if you are washing your car after some hard driving..the rotorsneed to naturally cool down.

 

Metal that has become heated and then subjected to a stream of cold water (Thermal Shock) will contract unevenly, causing the metal to warp (warped rotor)

FWIW- a glass windshield that has been sitting in the sun will do the same thing; it contracts unevenly when subjected to a cold stream of water (cracked glass) the reverse is also true, my gf thought she would save time de-icing the windshield by throwing hot water on it
JonM

 

 

I guess I can't add any more to this thread...but I'll still say..DON'T RINSE YOUR WHEELS DOWN FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES TO A HALF AN HOUR AFTER YOU HAVE STOPPED DRIVING YOUR CAR!! (unless you like crazy amounts of pulsation in your brake pedal)

 

Are you doing this in an attempt to rinse the brake dust ? Why dont you clean and apply a nice wheel sealant ?