Does Automatic Car Wash at Gas Stations Damage the Car?
3 Answers
Automatic car wash at gas stations does not damage the car. Here is the relevant introduction about automatic car wash: 1. Car wash process: Before driving into the automatic car wash machine, you must close the windows and sunroof, turn off the engine auto start-stop function, and fold the vehicle's rearview mirrors; when entering the automatic car wash machine, shift the gear to N, release the brake, do not pull the handbrake, there is no need to turn off the engine, and when the green light at the exit of the car wash machine lights up, drive the vehicle out of the car wash machine. 2. Car wash machine materials: Currently, the fully automatic car wash machines on the market use relevant programs to achieve automatic cleaning, waxing, drying, and wheel rim cleaning of the vehicle. The brushes on the car wash machine are made of high composite materials and will not cause damage to the car paint.
Last time after driving into the gas station's automatic car wash, I specifically squatted in front of the car to study it for a long time. Those tunnel-style big rotating brushes are indeed powerful - my friend's old Crown's side mirror was squeaking loudly under them. The car wash attendant secretly told me they're most afraid of customers washing cars with antennas, as they can easily get snapped off if not careful. Rubber seals also suffer, especially on cars that are five or six years old - high-pressure water jets forced into the rubber gaps can make the gaps widen over time. But if your car is new, washing it two or three times a month is fine, just remember to remind them to retract antennas and fold mirrors. For those really concerned about paint, choose car washes with water softening treatment to reduce water spot marks.
Last week I just sent my car through the tunnel wash, only to find a few light scratches on the hood when it came out. The mechanic said there was an 80% chance small stones got stuck in the rotating brushes—those spinning heads work like sandpaper going in circles. My neighbor's white SUV had it worse; after three washes, all the black plastic trims turned chalky white. Now I've learned my lesson and always ask workers to rinse the brushes clean before washing. If you've got a wrap or PPF installed, steer clear—the hot-air dryers and strong detergents can make the edges peel in minutes. But it's super convenient for quick cleanups; when you're in a rush to pick someone up, a five-minute wash beats hand washing any day.
