What happens behind the scenes at a car wash?
That’s why CR checked in with our own experts as well as paint specialists, car-wash owners, professional detailers, and soap manufacturers to find out just what goes on behind the scenes at a car wash.
Is it better to skip the car wash?
Although extras like wax and tire cleaner may make your car look better, we found out that it won’t hurt your car to skip them—and it might just save you some cash. How Often Should I Wash My Car?
Is it good to wash your car with Consumer Reports?
Cleaning a car isn’t just about cosmetics. According to John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports’ chief mechanic, regular washing can help protect your car’s finish. “You need to remove that road grit and residue left from rain and birds, or it can lead to damaged paint and corrosion,” he says.
When is the best time to wash your car?
But it’s a good idea to opt for an undercarriage wash at least once a season, especially if you drive through mud or live in a part of the country where roads are salted in winter, CR’s experts say. According to Taljan, rust can start when a car’s built-in protective layers are breached, or if mud, sand,…
Why did my car stop at the car wash?
As my car is going through the car wash and am nearing the exit, the car in front of me on the conveyor belt stops. I honk and brake but it is too late. The conveyor belt carries me forward and our cars make contact. Next, the car wash people stopped the conveyor because they heard my car horn.
Why did the car wash stop the conveyor?
Next, the car wash people stopped the conveyor because they heard my car horn. When the conveyor stopped, the driver in front of me put her car into drive and pulled forward and out the exit. I talked to the car wash people and then exited the car wash when the line is restarted. When I got out I checked my car. No damage.
Can you drive your car to a car wash?
Many full-service car washes will then have you drive the car (or drive it for you) away from the wash area to be hand-wiped by attendants. This is usually OK – provided the attendants are using fresh, clean (and soft) towels to do so. Be alert on busy days, however, when a number of other cars have gone ahead of you.
What to do when your car won’t move?
The vehicle wouldn’t move. He tried turning the vehicle off and leaving it in neutral to no avail. It stayed stoically in its position at the mouth of the car wash tunnel. Nothing he tried would get the automatic car wash to guide the XC90 through the tunnel. He eventually had to back out and figure out what was going on.