[jp0319]

For those of you in Northern or Mid-Western states where you get a good amount of snow and the temperatures are below or well below freezing most of the winter, what is your primary method of washing your car?

I've been considering this a lot lately as my BMW order progresses. Currently, I have a truck and I use a drive through car wash weekly. As its a truck, I generally don't concern myself with micro abrasions that can be caused by brushes, I just want the salt and dirt off.

In the past, with cars, I've been a little more OCD. Generally I'll hand wash them at home during Spring, Summer, and Fall. However, I usually still drive through car wash them during the winter. I live in Iowa and its too cold to realistically wash a car at home during the winter. The only possible option to avoid a drive through car wash would be going to a car wash with a bay and a pressure washer, but then the under side of my car wouldn't get the salt rinsed off, that and taking two buckets and all of the washing paraphernalia with me seems like a chore.

I'm curious what methods you guys and gals who live in climates like me use during the winter to keep your Bimmers clean.

JP

[Burrcold]

I run all my cars through touchless car wash once a week during the winter months, and get them detailed (by a shop) every 6 weeks or so. Never any hand washing by myself or car wash that has brushes (eek).

[gnolivos]

Touchless.

I went to a manual washing bay last week though, and omg I almost kill myself with the frozen floor. Be very careful!!

[jp0319]

Originally Posted by gnolivos

Touchless.

I went to a manual washing bay last week though, and omg I almost kill myself with the frozen floor. Be very careful!!

I can imagine. The ones here all have the doors that close and I "think" the ones at the place I currently go are heated.

[gnolivos]

Originally Posted by jp0319

I can imagine. The ones here all have the doors that close and I "think" the ones at the place I currently go are heated.

Some have heated floors.

[VipinLJ]

Touchless in the winter. Spring, summer and fall sees my spending a few hours per car in my driveway.

[MetalM00xi]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

Touchless in the winter. Spring, summer and fall sees my spending a few hours per car in my driveway.

Ditto ! For one the external hose bibs are winterized anyways and I'm too lazy to undo that just for a day or two of warm weather.

[UWBadger]

I'm in WI and am trying to only hand wash my M340i because I hate how touchless washes dull/swirl the paint and dries out trim. We'll see how long this sticks for lol.

[Redditor9000]

"I hate how touchless washes dull/swirl the paint "

How does this happen?

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by Redditor9000

"I hate how touchless washes dull/swirl the paint "

How does this happen?

The chemicals they use in the wash (Presoak/shampoo) might be harsh compared to branded ones we use when we DIY.
The recycled water can have impurities in it that, along with the high pressure of the water pressing and pushing dirt around, can cause swirls. Obviously that is all long term. And swirls can happen even when handwashinf ourselves. So yeah.

[Aziego]

You should add no rinse to the poll. I use Optimum No Rinse in the winter. If there is a lot of road salt, I would usually take it to a self serve and just spray all the salt off. Then at home in my garage I use the ONR.