Automatic Car Washes Suck On 5GT4R's

[TOYSTRY]

Needless to say the new 5th Generation 4Runner's suck at getting clean going through the automatic car washes. It doesn't wash any or the edges along the body nor does it wash the entire back hatch.

So much for not having freezing cold hands this winter.........looks as though hand washing the T4R is in order!

 

[Scuba6]

Oh yeah? Darn. After this week's snow, my brand new ride definitely needs a wash. I was planning to hit a car wash Monday.

 

[adio3x]

I just paid for a $8 deluxe wash package lol, did a pretty good job. Only thing it didn't really touch was the back glass.

 

[J.A.]

You are much better off not going to the car wash anyhow, worst thing for the exterior of your vehicle. I special ordered my 07 and informed them to not do the typical prep which includes an exterior wash/wax. Just use warm to hot water and your hands will be fine.

 

[TOYSTRY]

Only thing it didn't really touch was the back glass.

Same here, nor does it get the license plate area or any of the nook and crannies the 4R has.

 

[sandwich]

I use optimum products to clean my truck. A little pricey but the job they do is worth it

One of their products is a no-rinse car wash. Basically fill a bucket with water, add 2oz of product and wipe the car off with a microfiber soaked with the solution. Works extremely well and does not leave swirls (It's super slippery). You can use warm water in the bucket in the winter time.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I use the auto touchless wash by my house for simply a quick clean after every major storm and sometimes the temps stay in the teens where hand washing is nearly impossible but it's more important to me to get the mag-chloride off the truck then when it warms back above freezing then I hand wash.

 

[jca21]

i go through the neighborhood touchless car wash mainly to get the salt and sand off the exterior of the truck. i also like the fact that they do an undercarrage cleaning which helps remove some of the salt/sand build up off the bottom of the truck.


its never perfect but atleast its better than leaving the crap on the truck. i wash it by hand whenever the next sunny day pops up.

 

[desertred]

A bucket of suds, a bucket of rinse water, towels, warm clothes, and sub-freezing temps - all is good! Just gotta be quick with drying to prevent a layer of ice forming.

I use the touchless care wash systems (or hand held wands) for aesthetic reasons only; not to clean the car. Every car wash I have used without actually getting a rag or sponge on the vehicle just dilutes the grime that is on there. There is always a film of road grime remaining after the 'wash' has been completed. The "hands-free" washers do improve the appearance of the T4R, but I would never say they clean the truck. It doesn't help that I have black.

 

[Ben_Mueller]

I use the automatic car wash to combat the buildup of salt during winter and maintain a "clean looking" car in the nicer months of the year. It will never be able to get the car as clean as you could the old fashioned way.

 

[Ryan F.]

Freeze your hands, and love your 4 Runner.

 

[TOYSTRY]

Freeze your hands, and love your 4 Runner.

:lol:

 

[Koz]

I NEVER use a car wash, you will get swirl marks after one wash, even touchless. None of these car washes use soft enough towels to wash or dry your vehicle (even hand wash). If it is a lease then I guess it’s OK. If it is too cold I will just rinse the vehicle with one of those do-it-yourself kwiki car washes (pressure washer) until I can hand wash myself.

Koz

 

[desertred]

I NEVER use a car wash, you will get swirl marks after one wash, even touchless. None of these car washes use soft enough towels to wash or dry your vehicle (even hand wash).
Koz

This is true. I had detailed my other car (Porter Cable treatment) not to long before having it shipped to Colorado during my recent move. The car arrived filthy, so I went to a touchless car wash where guys with towels waiting to dry the car as it exited stood at the end of the line. The towels just served to grind the remaining road grime on top of the paint and create swirl marks all over - despite best intentions. I learned my lesson; no towel drying after after automatic car washes even again.

 

[jca21]

the touchless car wash i go to doesnt use towels to dry. it dries the vehicle with a blast of high pressurized air.

 

[desertred]

When I use a touchless system, this is what I look for (now) as well. Definitely better for the paint than towel drying.

 

[Falls]

You are much better off not going to the car wash anyhow, worst thing for the exterior of your vehicle. I special ordered my 07 and informed them to not do the typical prep which includes an exterior wash/wax. Just use warm to hot water and your hands will be fine.

Agreed.