Carwash in freezing temp

[Spaceman Spiff]

This is my first winter in Boston so I obviously don't have a clue about cold weather care. I have been driving the car sporadically but I can't stop thinking about all the salt that must have already gotten onto the undercarriage I wanted to get an undercarriage wash at least but a few people told me it's not a good idea to wash the car in freezing temp. Unfortunately there aren't many non-freezing days in Boston during Jan/Feb so what should I do? Wash or no wash? It's a California car so I am not sure how long it will take for the rust to become an issue.

[3002 tii]

I try to take my car to a touchless automatic wash place during the winters. But I usually wait until I know the residual crap has been cleaned up and there's no precipitation expected for at least a week. No point in washing it if you know you're going to accumulate more salt few days later.

With that said, I never had issues with washing the car during cold temps. I'm in NYC and I would think temps in low 30s is not an issue. I probably would avoid though if temps were in the 20s or teens.

oh yea, make sure you find a place that won't scuff up your wheel or bumper, ie the track is wide and the clearance is low.

[lucid]

Why is it a bad idea to wash a car in freezing temps? The roads are often full of water and slush during the day when stuff melts, so how is that any different (in terms of the car getting wet and then freezing up again when you park)? I live around as well and always wash my cars during the winters with no issues whatsoever. I don't drive the Z4M though and stick to the truck these days--not interested in buying winter tires, etc.

There is a place you can wash your own car in Brigton I think, but it would not be easy to spray the underneath. I don't trust the other car washes. They never do a proper job anyway--I have to come home and finish what they left undone usually. If you just want a rinse off, the touchless car washes are OK IMO.

[Nikki]

If it is too cold the water will freeze in the cracks and you won't be able to get the door open. FYI because it happened to me once. Just make sure it's around 32+ degrees and maybe drive it around a bit afterward to keep it warm and dry it out a little.

[lucid]

Odd. First time I heard of such an issue. I've done this dozens of times in freezing weather without an issue. I always wipe the door sills though regardless of ambient temperature...

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by lucid

Odd. First time I heard of such an issue. I've done this dozens of times in freezing weather without an issue. I always wipe the door sills though regardless of ambient temperature...

yeah i'm not that anal lol. but it is a good thing to do in cold weather if you don't normally do it.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Nikki

yeah i'm not that anal lol. but it is a good thing to do in cold weather if you don't normally do it.

Water is mineral rich or whatever around where I live and it's a real pain to get water stains off, so I'd rather just wipe the visible stuff.

I found that the real nasty thing with driving in the cold/snow is that if you're too lazy to clear the roof like me and when you get on the brakes after a snow/melt/freeze cycle, the icy slushy snow on the roof lands on your hood and scratches it big time.

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by lucid

Water is mineral rich or whatever around where I live and it's a real pain to get water stains off, so I'd rather just wipe the visible stuff.

I found that the real nasty thing with driving in the cold/snow is that if you're too lazy to clear the roof like me and when you get on the brakes after a snow/melt/freeze cycle, the icy slushy snow on the roof lands on your hood and scratches it big time.

Ouch yeah I always dried off the exterior, just not the door jams. And luckily I don't have to deal with that or the snow anymore.

[CHINE86MCOUPE]

Sorry, but I'm glad to be in California !! Great weather all year for sports cars.Only down side would be smog restriction , as I would love to supercharge my car without under the table smog.

[ZStig]

+ its practically impossible to get a concealed weapon permit + you get tickets for not having front plates

[ANUSTART]

I take mine to a quarter-op self serve place every few week or so to rinse it down. Then take it to an indoor hand-wash place when the weather is better when it will stay clean a few days. I drive mine every day here in Chicago. It's a great car and runs fantastic in winter weather so go enjoy it.

Modern cars are much better at handling the road salt they put down than they used to. And face it, you'll end up selling it way before you every see a spot of rust.

So, wash it and enjoy it. Don't sweat it.

[FerRrari]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

I try to take my car to a touchless automatic wash place during the winters. But I usually wait until I know the residual crap has been cleaned up and there's no precipitation expected for at least a week. No point in washing it if you know you're going to accumulate more salt few days later.

With that said, I never had issues with washing the car during cold temps. I'm in NYC and I would think temps in low 30s is not an issue. I probably would avoid though if temps were in the 20s or teens.

oh yea, make sure you find a place that won't scuff up your wheel or bumper, ie the track is wide and the clearance is low.

The chemicals used in the automatic car washes will strip away any wax/sealant your car might have and will get dirty within a week. I get mine handwashed by a detail shop.

[Swashplate]

Originally Posted by FerRrari

The chemicals used in the automatic car washes will strip away any wax/sealant your car might have and will get dirty within a week. I get mine handwashed by a detail shop.

Which one ? I will need one. I like the wash at Parkplace...it's good value for money and as I am in there making bad decisions anyway....

[FerRrari]

Originally Posted by TheBroker

Which one ? I will need one. I like the wash at Parkplace...it's good value for money and as I am in there making bad decisions anyway....

PP was a good option until Metropolitan Detail moved to the east side, they charge $35 for a hand wash and provide you with a loaner car in the meantime. PP is around $30 IIRC and they don't do as good of a job especially in drying...

[Swashplate]

Where abouts are they ?

[FerRrari]

Originally Posted by TheBroker

Where abouts are they ?

PM Sent

[esqu1re]

Sorry, a little OT, but:
My friend told me that cars these days are so well protected underbelly wise that car washes with under belly jets (to wash the salt off) can sometimes force water into spaces that otherwise would never see water. Has anyone else heard this?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by esqu1re

Sorry, a little OT, but:
My friend told me that cars these days are so well protected underbelly wise that car washes with under belly jets (to wash the salt off) can sometimes force water into spaces that otherwise would never see water. Has anyone else heard this?

sounds totally false, the water sprayed underneath isn't that strong so i see it no different than you driving through a puddle at fast speeds.

[Hawkeye]

I will agree, perfectly good to wash the car even in freezing temps. Even if just getting the salt off for a day, it is better than letting it sit and corrode away the paint or the metal (even if it won't be noticable for 5 years)

[Spaceman Spiff]

Thanks for all the advice Apparently between December and March it snows here a few days every week so I'll just go get the wash the first sunny day we get. I don't understand why people would choose to live in a place like this!!

[Hawkeye]

You don't understand your own decision? Or are you just on an extended visit?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

You don't understand your own decision? Or are you just on an extended visit?

I came here for school but I don't think I will stay a day beyond the mandatory 3 years! Boston is definitely not a driver-friendly city. The pavements are just horrible and the traffic management matches the pavements Not to mention the weather.