hakaida702

There's better mf towels at chemical guys and autogeek than griots

Mike in CA

All due respect, but it's not really the same. In my 997.2 manual it doesn't specifically say no to automatic car washes, but after the warnings about possible damage to wipers, wheels (esp. high gloss wheels), roof transport systems, rear spoilers, etc., it also says the following:

Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles and high pressures, which are not seen in normal driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its
way into the passengers compartment during or shortly after the car wash.

wc11

An option is to take it to the dealer. They have their various detail packages and could do it for you in their heated facilities for about $150 & up

Dukec4s

The newer "express" CW's are plenty safe. The tunnel equipment uses cloth and fiber...virtually impossible to swirl clearcoat. Tracks are plenty wide enough for wheels/tires. I run my 4x4 thru with very big tires...not a problem. Find one in your area but make sure the tunnel of equipment is fairly new..3-4yrs. I have some experience in the express-exterior CW business.

Full Disclosure: I don't run my 997 thru the wash, not because of anything else but that I have hand-washed it since mile 8....it's my
therapy!

theporscheguy

I don't think car washes are safe. I have seen plenty of damage on paint and wheels after the fact.

PHX 911

Even if you make it out of the wash without additional swirls, rim damage, etc., the detergents they use likely stripped all the wax off your car, and sprayed your car with who knows what is in their "waxes", and "spot-free rinses".
Ok for my DD I leave at the airport during monsoon season, but not for the porsche.

Tarek307

try to find a touchless car wash! they dont do a good job, but ok for just a quick cleanup

911Königin

I think this coffn has so many nails in it, the wood has turned to lead.

perfectlap

so if someone bet you that it would induce swirls you'd be willing to take that bet and run your car through the express wash?

The problem with car washes is that the last guys dirt/sediments end up in between your car's paint their brushes and fibers. No car wash comes completely clean after each run.

boolala

For heaven's sake it's just a friggin car. Take it to the car wash and forget about it.

6speedken

+1

Dukec4s

Sure I'd take that bet! Swirls develop via circular or semi-circular motion.....no equipment in any of my washes, except for my tire/wheel cleaners, moves in a circular or semi-circular motion.

BTW, no car, washed mechanically or by hand, comes "completely" clean...

Oh....and "swirls" are more of a direct result of hand-drying....not washing.

That being said...my washes blow more than 50 horses of clean air and dry 95% of any vehicle that passes thru....the remaining 5% will dry spot- free a mile down the road...no towels to induce swirling...

D1coach

Hate to resurrect this subject but after taking mine through a local car wash I now have three dime size scrapes on the front wheel from where it did not line up with the track properly as I was driving into the entrance. The attendant who was supposed to be directing me in and making sure my wheels were lined up was apparently thinking about other things at the time.

mander

+1. My 09C4S is absolutely filthy now from winter driving. Will take it to a self service wash place this afternoon now that it is above freezing.

cvtbenhogan

I won't even speak to wheel damage.

In my experience automatic washes are bad for paint. In case of my BMW, the rate of paint chips seemingly increased by 4x when I started to use the car wash. So I'm back to hand washes only.

There was a never a question the Pcar would be only hand washed.