I am going on a road trip this weekend for a week up the west side of Florida to the panhandle. I like to keep the car clean, and won't be able to wash it myself. What do you think about using automatic car washers at the gas stations?

I haven't used one yet but might depending on the information you guys can share.

I have a 911 Carrera coupe.

 

I use a trackless, touchless washer at the Mills Fleet Farm for washing only from time to time. You drive in and park. It has spray nozzles overhead on a track that goes around the car, sensing distance to the front, rear and sides. No brushes touch the car whatsoever, only water. Likewise, no wheel track to scratch the rims. The air blower does a poor job drying, so hand dry in the parking lot afterwards.

Not sure if the gas stations have a similar model. I'd stay away from any wheel track washer. And definitely touchless only - water spray only, no rotating brushes!

 

I use it on my M3 and Lexus, it should be fine as long as it's water spray jets and not brushes.

 

I personally have been strictly hand washing my toys for over a decade. My DD's and work car go thru the carwash now and then but usually not at a gas station....

I just wouldn't do it it I were you. Find a carwash in the area you are staying (the type where they put the car through the machine and then dry it when it's done) and ask for a hand wash. Most of those types of places charge 30-40 bucks. Definitely worth it imo.

 

just noticed your avatar and the X 51 ... I am an X 51 er and would love to see a few pics of yours, sounds like a beauty with silver/cocoa... these are the first GTS's the way I figure it, great auto, cheers, kevin

 

sorry to hijack, get carried away sometimes...

 

Some are

 

I doubt it will fit between nor over the tire channel runners due to wheel/tire width and the low chassis height. Have someone take a video if you decide to do it and post on YouTube.

 

Hand wash.

 

+1, only used it once in the winter, was really cold and I did not want to hand washed it. Drove in, no rails and no ramps to drive up. There is a sensor that tells you when to stop. Then it spray with water, then soap, then rinse, and air dry. It did a decent job but you will need to hand dry yourself.

 

I will send some pics to you soon! And thank you! It is a lovely color combo in excellent condition

 

hand only,,, and even that's only as goods as their mitts, water and towel etc... if you do it yourself then I usually put a mitt, towel etc in a small bag in the trunk and do it myself at those placed you pull in the bay and do it yourself. If not that then I d let it be dirty until I get home.... One wrong wash/ dry and you can really swirl up that paint.

 

Don't do it.

 

The touchless I have used, not on the Porsche, but on other cars. They are only good for a pretty clean car, if your car is clean before you leave they are a good choice, they will get rid of the dust and some dirt/bugs. Keep in mind they are full of chemicals that may strip your wax so plan to freshen the car up when you get back.

Personally I would probably not do it.

 

If you really have to use a car wash use a touchless one. I would just wait until I got home and wash it properly and carefully if I were you though.