If you’re a Tesla owner, you know how important it is to keep your car looking its best. But did you know that using automatic car washes may not be the best way to do this? Automatic car washes can damage your vehicle and put your safety at risk.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why you should avoid using automatic car washes for your Tesla and provide you with some alternative options. Read on to learn why automatic car washes are bad for your Tesla!
1) They can scratch your paint
When it comes to Teslas, it is important to take proper care of the paint job. Unfortunately, automatic car washes can cause scratches and other imperfections on your Tesla’s paint. The rotating brushes that are used to clean your car can cause tiny scratches that over time can add up to a more serious problem. That mixed with Tesla’s water based paint can lead to hundreds of tiny scratches on your Tesla’s paint. The best option for keeping your Tesla looking its best is hand washing.
2) The chemicals can damage your paint
If you use an automatic car wash, you risk damaging your paint job. Car washes often contain harsh chemicals that can eat away at your paint and cause it to chip or fade. The goal with a Tesla wash shampoo is to find one with a pH right around 7. If you want to protect the quality of your Tesla’s paint, it’s best to avoid automatic car washes altogether.
3) They can cause rust
Rust is one of the worst things that can happen to your Tesla. It is an insidious problem that can creep up on you if you’re not careful. Automatic car washes use super high-powered water jets that can blast away the protective layer on your paint job, leaving it exposed and vulnerable to corrosion from rust. This means that if you don’t take proper care of your Tesla, the rust can start forming under the paint and spread out, leading to major problems.
4) They can strip away the wax
No one likes to pay for a car wash only to find out that the wax has been stripped away. Unfortunately, automatic car washes are notorious for stripping away wax from cars, especially Tesla’s. This can lead to a dull looking finish, as the wax is designed to add a layer of protection and shine to the paint.
By using an automatic car wash, you could be sacrificing the protective wax layer of your car, leaving it vulnerable to dirt, grime, and other elements. It’s always best to stay away from automatic car washes if you want to keep your Tesla’s wax layer intact.
5) They can damage your tires and wheels
It’s not just your car’s paint job that can suffer at the hands of an automatic car wash. Your tires can also be damaged. The brushes used in these car washes are not gentle and can cause abrasions and scratches on your tires and wheels, reducing their longevity.
The chemicals used in automatic car washes can also degrade the rubber of your tires, leading to cracking and other damage. To protect your tires, it’s best to avoid using automatic car washes for your Tesla.
6) They can cause your doors to stick
Have you ever noticed your car doors sticking after an automatic car wash? Unfortunately, this is a common side effect of using an automatic car wash for your Tesla.
The high-pressure water and harsh chemicals used in the wash can seep into the seals on your car doors, causing them to stick shut or become difficult to open. This can be a major hassle if you’re trying to get into your car quickly!
7) They’re a waste of money
When it comes to washing your Tesla, automatic car washes can be costly. For a basic wash, you may pay upwards of $20. However, depending on the car wash and the package you select, the cost can increase significantly. You may even end up having to pay for repairs afterwards. The best way to save your money is to avoid automatic car washes altogether.
8) They’re bad for the environment
Automatic car washes are far from eco-friendly. Their use of electricity, water, and chemicals can be wasteful, and any leftover soap residue will make its way into the storm sewers and eventually into local rivers and streams.
With Tesla’s dedication to preserving the environment, it’s important to stay away from automatic car washes to ensure that our cars don’t leave a harmful impact on the planet.
Other options instead of automatic car washes
So while you know that automatic car washes aren’t good for your Tesla does that leave any automated options? Yes, limited, but there is one other automated option. Touchless washes. Touchless washes do not touch your Tesla, they use pressure washers to clean your Tesla at a distance. We’ve compiled a list of the best touchless car washes for your Tesla here.