82_930

Hi,

Winter is here and it's just too friggen' cold... otherwise I'd be washing my car by hand.

I consulted the owners manual, but there seems to be no definitive answer.

In my 996 and 986, the manual clearly stated that car washes should be avoided (due to water getting in the air intakes either on the tail of the 996 or the side scoop of the 986), however in my 997.1, there is no specific mention of car washes. It just states "if washing by hand...etc"...

this leads me to believe that the car can be driven through a car wash (especially since the slats on the rear deck no longer face the same direction/angle as they did on the 996)?

Am I correct in assuming this?

TommyV44

I'd never put mine through an automatic car wash. Take it to a hand wash place. I know a great one in Hillsdale, NJ!

Tom

Linnm

How much risk are you willing to take?

stefang

There are some people here who do this. It should be significantly less hard on the car than all the grit that gets kicked up on the highway. My main concern is the tire size. Not sure if all of them can take it. Let me know if you find one.

pissedpuppy

I'd go to the $2.00 hose it down car wash before brushless or any other car wash

a detail guy told me recently that he'd never let anyone wash his car unless they had new mit and new micro fiber towels for each and every washing....made sense. avoid swirls and go with a proper detail

stefang

Tom, by the time I get back from Hillsdale, it'll need another wash!

jhbrennan

Recycled water, narrow tire guides, brushes - why take the risk? Use this in your garage - no hoses needed.

http://www.optimumcarcare.com/onrwns.php

stefang

I just got the Optimum no rinse and will give it a try on Sat. Still, come January that bucket of water will be frozen by the time you're done. The existence of a garage is not always a valid assumption.

Coloradoheel

In a pinch I will hit the self-wash spot near the house. A couple of bucks to spray it down with some warm water to get the grit and grime off.

Eric - Plug Guy

If you absolutely positively cannot do this otherwise, find a brushless place without the wheel guide....drive in, let it spray you down, drive out, etc.

Other than shooting water in places it would not normally go, this is the least harmful of the options you may have.

Detailing Dynamics in Mineola is an hour or so from you. Go there if you can't resolve locally.

I never ever go through a car wash. Never. I will let my cars get dirty as hell (and yes, it makes me squirm) but I know what these places can do to your finish.

stefang

This might be an option - http://www.thornwoodhandcarwash.com/index.html

Rocco07

The guide rail height is most likely higher than your sidewall. This means your wheel will drag the entire length of a steel rail through the carwash. If the rail does not have some kind of coating or protective cover, metal on metal will cause damage. That's if your wheels fit into the guide to begin with.

TommyV44

Such a perfectionist!!

Tom

brad@tirerack.com

I know it's hard, but if you go through car washes it WILL damage your paint. And it only takes once through a dirty one to do damage it will take hours to correct. REMEMBER!!!

wheeler

I don't have a 997 YET so I can't comment directly, but I can tell you I use a drive through car washer regularly for my 2010 F150. And they have come a LONG way in the last few years. I have some larger, wider aftermarket wheels and tires, the sidewalls are taller than the track. In two years, it's pretty much ruined the finish on my wheels. There is NO WAY in heck I would take anything through there I really cared about! My tires just BARELY fit width wise, no way there is a track wide enough to fit the rear meats on a 911. Now if you're driving it in weather or conditions as a daily and just feel better in a clean car like we all do, then I agree, find a place that's least abusive and keep the crap off regardless and deal with the swirls and minor scuffs and just treat it as a daily driver. But if it's your toy...no way.