To Wash or Not To Wash

Believe it or not, an automatic car wash is not only more convenient, but it can also be much safer for your car than washing the car at home. Why? If your car is washed by hand in direct sunlight, the drops of water turn into mini magnifying glasses, which can cause the sun's rays to burn spots into the paint - and this could cost you big when going to resell the vehicle. Additionally, many use harsh household soap products which remove protective wax and leave a chalky residue on the surface. Taking this into consideration makes the $10 to $15 automatic car wash fee look pretty reasonable.

But at the car wash, there's all the "extras", which can add up fast and quickly double the cost of a quick car wash! Before you agree to the "works" package, find out what is included and decide if it is really worth the extra money to have a fresh scent sprayed in the interior, or a spray-on wax applied to the exterior.

Here are some tips: Undercarriage rust proofing and spray-on wax may be a couple of extras to pass on. Most new cars are rust proofed at the factory, and spray-on wax simply adds shine. A few to consider getting would be an undercarriage bath, a hand-applied wax, and tire dressings. An undercarriage bath could wash away crud from the winter months and prevents buildup, a hand-applied wax restores oils and provides a UV-protective film, and tire dressings remove dirt and brake dust.

And remember to always opt for a brushless car wash. Older car wash facilities may still be using brushes which tend to leave light scratches in the paint and can remove the clear coat that was applied by the factory to protect the paint. And don't ever agree to have the engine cleaned. High pressure water is used to perform the engine cleaning and can cause serious engine problems in new vehicles.