I had aftermarket 20s on my last car, and was warned by some to not drive the car through a carwash since the lips could get scratched from the wheel guides in the carwash. I now have 19" OEM Rays on my G35, with 245/40/19 tires all around. Should I be OK driving through a carwash? It's getting too cold to handwash the car.
I drive a g35x but I'm asking on this forum because coupe drivers have more experience with OEM Ray's.

 

I personally would not just incase, but I guess to be honest it would depend on the style of car wash.

 

You should be ok just make sure they don't spray a chemical cleaner on your wheels. The mechanical car washes have a habit of using these cleaners especially when they see lots of brake dust. Find a hand wash shop in your area if you can't wash yours at home.

 

Auto Car washes are pretty much the worse thing to do to your paint. They get your car clean but also leave thousands of tiny scratches and swirls in your paint that hand washing would not leave.

If you can't wash it at home, go to one of those car washes where you just spray your car with high-pressure hoses and soap by yourself.

 

I work at auto bell and mine is fine through the was. Its stock but if it was any lower the front lip would hit the inside tire guide

 

I dont trust any automatic car wash, nor anyone elses hands on my car but my own. Save your self the worry, dont do it.

 

Pretty much sums it up^^

 

^^^+2 Never use automatic car washes.

 

^WHS... coin wash only in winter

 

I do the power washing, but thats it, and always dry with a soft towel!

 

Check out the Car & Detailing section and you will realize what you are doing to your cars paint vs. taking care of it.

Not taking care of paint, going through auto car washes, no wax = fading, scratches, lots of swirls, and a drop in value.

 

Some touchless ones are alright. Never go through the car washes with the brushes and whatnot. However, for the best results wash it yourself.

 

don't get me wrong, I've never taken my car through a carwash. now that I'm at school and its freezing, I thought I'd give the auto carwash a try. up until this point, I've gone to the self service wash and handwashed the car with a mitt, then dried it with a chamois and microfiber towels. all the employees give me weird looks but its worth it

 

I wouldn't trust an automatic car wash, I got a tiny scratch on one of my Ray's 19s from the track at a "touchless" car wash and have never gone back. I found local car wash that washes the car 100% by hand. I wish I could wash my car myself, but I live in a condo building and the HOA rules don't let you wash the car in the common parking garage.

 

iv gone throw a few since iv had my G... they never hurt my OEM 19's