[wizard_of-ahs]

I tried a search to no avail.
I've only had my Volt for 5 months and I'm wondering if there are any problems going through the automatic carwash that pulls you along?
I'm thinking possible bottom clearance problem with the tractor track ?
Love to hear from you experienced guys

 

[Ztirffritz]

I've had no issues. Just put it in neutral.


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[jcramer]

My 2015 Volt does fine in neutral with the pull-along system at the Brown Bear Car Wash on Lake City Way in Seattle. I fold the side mirrors in before going through, although it probably isn't necessary. There are no undercarriage clearance problems.

 

[llninja]

I would never put any car, volt or not, through one of those car washes. All it takes is for some off-roader to send his pickup through one of those to get sand on those brush/towels, and your car will get all scratched up. Bucket, spam, washmit, and hose is what I do. Sometimes, I'll pull out the powerwasher, but the powerwasher doesn't save much time over the hose.

Do the right thing, the right way.

 

[linkim]

Now that the drought has passed, I was hoping the some of the local high schools would hold car washes to raise money for special events. They usually use a hose and hand wash a car. I would gladly support the effort. Haven't taken my Volt to a commercial car wash in 23 months of ownership. Net result is that it has been washed only once by me, and probably a poor job at that.

 

[canehdian]

I would never put any car, volt or not, through one of those car washes. All it takes is for some off-roader to send his pickup through one of those to get sand on those brush/towels, and your car will get all scratched up. Bucket, spam, washmit, and hose is what I do. Sometimes, I'll pull out the powerwasher, but the powerwasher doesn't save much time over the hose.

Do the right thing, the right way.

Seconded.
If I have to use a wash on the go, touchless. At home, hand wash.
The spaghetti monster can give you some sweet scratches if you're unlucky.
Same with the spinning brush ones.

 

[Upper5Percent]

The classic commercial car wash...

That reminds me, I need to wash the horse trailer this weekend...

 

[MinnVolt]

I would never put any car, volt or not, through one of those car washes. All it takes is for some off-roader to send his pickup through one of those to get sand on those brush/towels, and your car will get all scratched up. Bucket, spam, washmit, and hose is what I do. Sometimes, I'll pull out the powerwasher, but the powerwasher doesn't save much time over the hose.

Do the right thing, the right way.

The only car wash I ever use are the no-touch spay types, and then only to get the salt rinsed off in the winter. I don't even like wash mitts as they can hold grit, and simply don't trust those high school car washes - they drop mitts and towels. Several years ago I picked up a special soft car wash brush at a Fuller Brush outlet store. I have used it for many years and have never found a mark on the cars. I also got tired of wringing out a chamois so I tried one of the silicone water blades that squeegee of the water. Then I wipe it dry with soft bath towels that the wife has rejected from household use.

Spring and Fall I go over the cars with a claybar, then a premium paste wax, and serious detailing. The family thinks I am a little excessive - but the car sure does shine!

 

[hellsop]

Now that the drought has passed, I was hoping the some of the local high schools would hold car washes to raise money for special events. They usually use a hose and hand wash a car. I would gladly support the effort. Haven't taken my Volt to a commercial car wash in 23 months of ownership. Net result is that it has been washed only once by me, and probably a poor job at that.

Heh. I love being able to say "I literally spend more money on car washes than gas." And it's true. A gallon or two of fuel and a $8 car wash is a pretty normal stop every 4-8 weeks.

 

[wizard_of-ahs]

I would never put any car, volt or not, through one of those car washes. All it takes is for some off-roader to send his pickup through one of those to get sand on those brush/towels, and your car will get all scratched up. Bucket, spam, washmit, and hose is what I do. Sometimes, I'll pull out the powerwasher, but the powerwasher doesn't save much time over the hose.

Do the right thing, the right way.

The classic commercial car wash...

That reminds me, I need to wash the horse trailer this weekend...

Thanks guys. I do use the "classic" one, but during the winter months the slap and tickle is the only one open and I'm a stickler about getting the salt off !

 

[llninja]

Heh. I love being able to say "I literally spend more money on car washes than gas." And it's true. A gallon or two of fuel and a $8 car wash is a pretty normal stop every 4-8 weeks.

I spent $200 for a power washer, but I've also spent hundreds maybe even thousands on fuel. I used to keep track, but not any more.

 

[Upper5Percent]

Thanks guys. I do use the "classic" one, but during the winter months the slap and tickle is the only one open and I'm a stickler about getting the salt off !

Really?......Even in little Vermont towns the classic units are open year round...I think it is time to do some googling for car washes in the Terra Haute, Indiana area...

 

[llninja]

Really?......Even in little Vermont towns the classic units are open year round...I think it is time to do some googling for car washes in the Terra Haute, Indiana area...

In my little town with less than 5k people, there are two classic car washes across the street from each other, each with a touchless automatic wash bay that is open year round. I wonder how they keep from freezing the pipes or having fall hazards from all the ice?

In the winter, I snag two buckets of warm water, one for washing, one for rincing the salt and grime off. I'm liberal with water and very light on wiping in an attempt to lift and not grind in the dirt.

 

[Shivetya]

Tunnels are fine and all the units I have seen won't let a mud covered vehicle go through them. plus they are far less damaging than hand wash sites and do real work compared to touchless. if you want a safe wash then do it yourself and never use circular motions

 

[LANMAN]

My 2012 came with free car washes for life at the dealers car wash, and I have not had any problems. Haven't had a free one since I moved down to Houston last November, except for Harvey.

 

[llninja]

My 2012 came with free car washes for life at the dealers car wash, and I have not had any problems. Haven't had a free one since I moved down to Houston last November, except for Harvey.

Yes, several trillion gallons of water does wonders to the cleanliness of your car.

 

[Rickoshay]

I use a pull through, hand wash place in town. No problems. They do not have those spinning or hanging brushes. 100% done by hand and each car gets fresh wash mitts. I would never use an automated car wash or any car wash that was not 100% hand wash. I like my cars to look good for a long time.

2014 Volt Premium - Safety pkg 1 and 2, Navigation

 

[ZamboniMan]

I would never put any car, volt or not, through one of those car washes. All it takes is for some off-roader to send his pickup through one of those to get sand on those brush/towels, and your car will get all scratched up. Bucket, spam, washmit, and hose is what I do. Sometimes, I'll pull out the powerwasher, but the powerwasher doesn't save much time over the hose.

Do the right thing, the right way.

llninja, is that regular SPAM, lite, or low sodium? I've tried the Black Pepper one too... Very tasty!

 

[llninja]

llninja, is that regular SPAM, lite, or low sodium? I've tried the Black Pepper one too... Very tasty!

Not quite sure how SOAP got changed into SPAM. If I type SPAP, it got autocorrected into SOAP. And I'm not hungry... so it wasn't a subliminal message. Mister Dave would just blame the iJunk tablet.

 

[wizard_of-ahs]

Really?......Even in little Vermont towns the classic units are open year round...I think it is time to do some googling for car washes in the Terra Haute, Indiana area...

Yea, the only thing I can think of is the classics use cold water because once it gets to freezing, they all shut down, where the slap and tickle must use hot water.

I use a pull through, hand wash place in town. No problems. They do not have those spinning or hanging brushes. 100% done by hand and each car gets fresh wash mitts. I would never use an automated car wash or any car wash that was not 100% hand wash. I like my cars to look good for a long time.

2014 Volt Premium - Safety pkg 1 and 2, Navigation

I have elected to use the the touchless down the street, it does a pretty good job and will get some of my coin in the winter, just have to hope they don't shut down when freezing weather sets in