2011 Highlander. autocarwash

[jack63]

Hi Guys,

I'm not sure if I can have my new HL washed at the auto carwash. anybody here tried it?

[pesticide1480]

I had mine washed there 2 times now and it has no wax left on it. I got my toyota home and clay barred it and then waxed it. It was beading real good and now after 2 times thru the wash no more beades. Kind of breaks my heart,you spend all that time waxing and its gone in like 2 months.Oh well time to wax again but won't go thru the car wash anymore.... But thats up to you,good luck

[TrailDust]

I've taken my Highlander to a car wash never, never, and never. When I've watched friends or family members get their cars washed the most common issue I've seen is weak or ineffective pre-washing of the car with high pressure water. Often I've witnessed suds applied to dry paint/dirt and then the rubbing begins. No way! I do it myself so I'm 100% certain it's being done correctly.

[arabianobsession]

How do you suppose we wash our cars at the dealership?

I refuse to go to a car wash with brushes (too much scratching!!!), but touchless ones are fine. I mostly use them in winter. Come summer I usually do the work myself.

[matt0420]

Why wouldn't you be able to take your Highlander through a carwash?

I mean, I never would, but I can't imagine it not working

[to_fire]

Yea, it goes thru fine. Ones with brushes, and ones that are touch free. It doesn't get cleaned under the rear spoiler or on the back liftgate that well. It's an SUV, just like every other SUV out there. Why wouldn't it go thru an auto wash?

[jack63]

Originally Posted by to_fire

Yea, it goes thru fine. Ones with brushes, and ones that are touch free. It doesn't get cleaned under the rear spoiler or on the back liftgate that well. It's an SUV, just like every other SUV out there. Why wouldn't it go thru an auto wash?

this is my first SUV, ben driving a sedans and coupes all my life, I knew it would go thru auto wash I'm just worried it might damage the paint or something?

[arabianobsession]

^That's why I avoid car washes with brushes. I don't trust them with a 10 foot pole. The only worry I have with touchless automatics is that it doesn't get the car clean enough, i.e., the wheels, near the spoiler, etc.

[vsansal]

I take my HL to Auto Wash all the time. We have Mr.Wash here. Instead of brushes it has all cloth. So the system is the same, it is still spining and everything but no brushes. I used to take my solara before my HL and I am happy overall. Especially having the auto dryer makes a huge difference. I think drying the car makes the most damage. After almost 6 years my car had minimal surface scratches from washing. It was barely noticable. And we are talking about a dark blue car that shows everything. So I like Auto wash systems better. But like mentioned, since HL is a large vehicle it doesn't get cleaned %100 so I have a spray wax that I use after the car wash. And don't forget the tire shine

[Dman1]

I took mine through a touchless car wash once. The washing was fine, but the dryer snapped one of the clips off of my hood deflector and I thought that it was going to do the same with my rear wiper.

[grandpapa]

auto car wash for me is the lazy route. Only used during winter season.
Car never come out clean (especially the lower body) and the possibility of getting scratches.

[TrailDust]

I keep a step stool with a stable base so that I can even wash and dry the roof. Every bee crap and bird turd gets removed, but since my HL is kept in the garage it stays very clean unless I take it to the desert. Got to say it's an easy vehicle to clean too with all the large panels and lack of complex curves....saves time....

[to_fire]

Jack63. I've been taking my HL to the local auto washes for years with no problems. I have a hood deflector, license plate covers, konig black rims, no problems and no parts missing. The cloth wash hasn't scratched the paint yet (all we all know about the softness of paints, thanx to the EPA). I guess it just depends on the car washes you have in your area.

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by to_fire

Jack63. I've been taking my HL to the local auto washes for years with no problems. I have a hood deflector, license plate covers, konig black rims, no problems and no parts missing. The cloth wash hasn't scratched the paint yet (all we all know about the softness of paints, thanx to the EPA). I guess it just depends on the car washes you have in your area.

Mine is absolutely covered in little scratches, not noticeable from a distance, but when you get close, you definitely see them (stupid weak paint). Its been a MAJOR pain... I have stopped completely using automatic car washes, I only hand wash and wax my highlander now. I'm trying to protect what paint is left...

[mctommy]

I haven't washed my new 2011 Limited yet, but I purchased the meguiars kit ($40) from amazon. I definitely won't make the mistake of not taking care of the car and the paint like i did with my corolla.

Probably won't wash it for another few weeks.