<p>Add “X” and “R” to the list of carmakers’ favorite letters.</p>
<p>Automatic car washes are death to a car’s finishes. Nobody that loves their car uses one, ever.</p>
<p>^^ I never use one - ever.</p>
<p>However, it seems that the ‘touchless’ car washes wouldn’t be as bad but I haven’t really checked into them that much since I wash the cars the old fashioned way.</p>
<p>They use harsh detergents and recycled water that may contain other nasty stuff for the paint. Also many still use some form of contact with the car like those long cloths that look like a chamois.</p>
<p>You can look in your owner’s manual to see what the low tire pressure icon looks like, if everything is fine you won’t see it. This is nice for those of us who don’t like to do routine checks. Many of us who love our cars also love the carwash- there’s nothing like realizing your car isn’t road-salt white in the winter to boost your spirits (you have to be able to see the car’s finish to enjoy it)- I noticed the MN location.</p>
<p>It’s true that those big rotating brushes can really mess up the finish. If you look at some cars in slanting sunlight you can see the big ‘sweep’ marks. The brushes pick up a lot of grit and brush it across the paint. I like the gas station or coin-op places because you can rinse off the salt and other snow chems without using the big brushes. </p>
<p>Seems like if car manufacturers like to use names that sound like a Keanu Reeves character name.</p>
<p>Add me to the list of Prius owners who had trouble with the car wash. I felt really stupid so I was happy to see that I’m not the only one.</p>