Car wash question

[rcyphermd]

I recently took my R8 through a touchless car wash. A fair amount of water came through the car and and through the two mesh wire covers on each side of the engine. I am not mechanically inclined. Is this a problem....or a normal drainage area? The remainder of the engine was dry. Thanks in advance for your help.

[KSv10]

Do not know. But hand wash only is my vote.

[mngolfer]

You just ruined your car!!! It will never work again. You may be able to sell it to someone...me cheap.

Okay I was just kidding. Everything is fine. I have used the touchless car wash in the past. The dealer will hand wash your car for free any time you want...as least mine does.

[rcyphermd]

haha! I live an hour from my dealer. Where exactly is that water going when it runs through those two screens?

[swansailor]

The water comes in the vents that are either side of the rear window/engine cover (stick your finger in ...you'll see that they are open). The water then runs down through the engine bay and out underneath the car. Doesn't do any harm. I hand wash mine and water always gets in through those vents.

[r1lee]

because the R8 is a frameless window, this is where the water comes into the cabin. The pressure from the touchless is to much for the seals to hold its place without a frame for support. This happens on all frameless window cars.


as for the engine, nothing to worry about there either.

[SDR8]

Be careful with the clearance on the car washes. The owners manual clearly states that you should not run the R8 thru a car wash that moves the R8 along a track (at least in the 2009 manual). I have always hand washed my car or had a detailer hand wash it.

[Jeff]

Hand wash only for me.

[harrison]

Your R8 might punish you back for running her through an automated/NOT handwash. But some people will do what they have to do. I will NEVER run my car through like that.

[shawnek]

I recently took my R8 through a touchless car wash. A fair amount of water came through the car and and through the two mesh wire covers on each side of the engine. I am not mechanically inclined. Is this a problem....or a normal drainage area? The remainder of the engine was dry. Thanks in advance for your help.

Engine gets a wash every time you use the pressurized places. Free steam clean.

Do make sure you don't take the car on one of the track-type ones and you should be fine, other than you might want to take a couple of towels and wipe down the engine compartment after your wash.