I took my car to get her washed at the mall today, everything was fine until I drove a couple of miles and realized the clutch was terrible... They have completely worn the clutch out! It doesn't grip up to midway of the pedal!

I have 5k miles on the car, bought new in November. Every time I give my car to someone (valet, car wash) I freak out... I can't give my car to the valet when I go to a restaurant for this reason! I park some where near, if I can and then walk. I look like an idiot, but what can I do?

No body knows how to drive a frickin' stick shift! It is so simple, it's not math! You don't need to be a genius to drive manual! Can't anyone afford a decent driver to work for the Valet or Car wash? Do they have to be so cheap that they ruin our cars? I am really mad about this!

So what am I supposed to do now? Get a new clutch every 5k miles? Or not get my car washed? I live in an apartment, I don't have a driveway where I can wash my car in...

 

I completely refuse valet parking in any capacity.

I would not let the mall car wash guys wash my car . I don't think they even use regular water . I think its a cleaning solution .

The clutch dilema is not good . It's not a cheap repair . I am saddened to hear it because its so senseless .

 

Man, I may be a car snob for this, but cars like these go to a detailer (in the rare case if I can't do it myself - like the drought we had last year - long gone now..blub..blub...blub ). Never a car wash.

That's a bummer story. Never had it happen, but I have never done that with my cars. Still, one has to wonder - and I would certainly ask them - how does one destroy a clutch at a car wash?

 

Let the clutch cool down overnight and try again tomorrow. Then freak out if it still does not work. I have gotten my clutch in my M3 very hot at times to the point where it was slipping. After it cooled everything was back to normal.

Jason

Jason

 

I usually don't have the time to get her to a detailer... I don't have a driveway so I can't wash the car myself...

I used to take my old 350z to that place, never had a problem before...

 

Hey Jason, I hope you're right... It doesn't slip, but it doesn't grip like before when taking off I hope it does get back to normal. I will be heading for the Homestead Track next weekend, if anything is wrong I might have to change the clutch after the track...

 

Very sorry to hear that. I don't trust anyone with anything I own. I don't know your work situation, but here in Cali there are mobile detailers that will come to your office and clean it in the parking lot.

Hope it works better once it cools down.

 

That sucks. I would never hand over a manual car to a valet. If it were automatic then yes. I'm apprehensive of even leaving it at a dealership or mechanic as is.

I searched for self service car washes in Miami. Don't know if these are close to you. Hope it turns out well.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/miami...ash-miami.html

 

Thanks dude, but I want a Car Wash that I can trust with my car... As you know it rains a lot in Miami, so you don't always find the time to do it yourself. And also washing your own car means you probably will need a shower afterward.

I usually go to this place, they are good. Had no problems before, and they never damaged my clutch. Just pisses me off thinking about it...

Magic Hands Auto Detailing
1241 SW 30th CT

 

I'd just be worried that they took the car for a joyride and revved the holy hell out of it. If I did leave it w/ someone, I would note the miles on the odometer.

 

Risky. Miami is a tough town . Driving up in a Porsche to a 3 dollar self serve car wash in Miami might not be a safe adventure.

 

Ah. Ok, I'm not familiar with Miami at all and the only time I've been to Florida for Disneyland when I was a kid. The only impression I have of Miami is from what I have read in the media...all glitz and glamour and that it's like LA.

 

Miami has all the perks of vacation city too . The difference is that Los Angeles has a lot of water restrictions so it might be more common to see a self serve wash with nice cars and ample security .

However --When a person is washing his car his attention is not on his surroundings . Vaccuming a porsche with his doors open , key in ignition. and a wallet in the back pocket in a public place is just too high risk for my comfort zone.

 

well said, Larry.

I have a place in Miami, in the design district area for those who know...I usually take my expedition to this place called Andiamo (name of pizza place connected to car wash), the pizza is insane (take that coming from a newyorker) and the wash is done by hand, there are always high end cars at the location and the owner is watching everyone as they work. I found the place to be very good at doing the basics for my expedition. The best thing is you can eat while your getting a wash.

Andiamos pizza + Leos car wash
5600 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33137-2635

(305) 762-5751‎

Hope this helps,
Danny

P.S. Never give your car to a valet, stick/ auto doesnt matter

 

Did you leave the car for day or were you there when they washed your car? If you left the car for some time and they abused it on a joy ride ( Ferris Bueller, with clutch drops, etc) I could imagine the damage they could do. Still, I do not understand how the clutch could wear out with one visit to the car wash.