Can You Wash Your Car After Driving on the Highway?
2 Answers
Can You Wash Your Car After Driving on the Highway? The precautions for washing your car are: 1. Avoid using alkaline substances such as laundry detergent or dish soap to wash your car; 2. Rinse your vehicle promptly after rain or snow; 3. Avoid washing your car under direct sunlight; 4. Use a dedicated car wash cloth to wipe from top to bottom along the direction of water flow; 5. Wash your car after the engine has cooled down. The steps for washing your car are: 1. Park your car in an open area, turn off the engine, and shut down all in-car equipment; 2. Prepare car wash detergent; 3. Use a water gun to wet the entire surface of the car body; 4. You can use a high-pressure water gun to rinse the wheels and the bumpers on both sides; 5. Apply the detergent evenly on the car's surface using a sponge or a soft cloth; 6. Rinse off the foam and dirty water from the car body with a water gun; 7. Dry the car body with a car wash cloth.
After driving for so many years, I never rush to wash my car right after a highway run because the engine and brake discs are extremely hot. At a speed of 120 km/h on the highway, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Celsius. Pouring cold water on them causes thermal contraction, which might deform or even crack the components. I didn’t believe it at first and tried it once, only to end up with brake discs screeching like ghosts. Later, I had to spend a fortune at the repair shop. So now, I always wait at least half an hour for the car to cool down completely, touching the hood to ensure it’s no longer hot before washing. This prolongs the car’s lifespan and gives me peace of mind. After a highway drive, the car may be dirty, but patiently waiting for it to cool before washing better protects the body—don’t risk it just to save time.
