Car wash problem

[rjazz66]

I have a 2015 Genesis 3.6 Ultimate AWD. I get it washed 2-3 times per week at drive-through washes. At some car washes the car rubs and scrapes along but never thought much about it since I don't see any damage.

Took the car to my friend's shop to have tires rotated yesterday and he wanted me to see some damage to the rear suspension while it was up on the lift that he says has to be from going through car washes.

I find it hard to believe only my car has this issue. I've attached a photo of what my driver's side rear control arm that clearly shows the resulting damage,

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

 

[Huddleston]

Please stop going to drive through car washes, in addition to something like this happening you are destroying your paint.

your car is being touched and washed by the same materials that touch hundreds of other cars a day - its essentially the same thing as washing your car with a rag you've just dropped on the ground. I'm sure you have tons of swirls and scratches on the car, maybe not easily visible now but definitely would be under and paint light or LED light.

I cant stress enough how terrible the drive through washes are for your car. this makes me sad.

 

[kn5owa]

Took a new Buick thru a car wash 30 yrs ago - never, never again

Trillions of tiny scratches came with the wash job - no extra charge.

 

[GCyr42]

I have a 2015 Genesis 3.6 Ultimate AWD. I get it washed 2-3 times per week at drive-through washes. At some car washes the car rubs and scrapes along but never thought much about it since I don't see any damage.
//snip//
Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Yes, I have the same problem but not every time at the same car wash. I think it's related to how far right or left the left wheels are positioned in the track. I checked the clearance spec of my car (same as yours) and it had more clearance than my previous car which never rubbed, so I wondered if it was damaging anything. Now I know--thanks to your post.

As for comments about not using car washes, I'm past the point of babying my cars and only hand washing them. I used to avoid car washes and only hand wash, but at 73 I prefer a clean car without the work... Besides, I've never had a problem with the paint at trade-in time (2-3 years). However, I will look for another car wash wash because of for rubbing problem.

 

[rjazz66]

I can appreciate that hand-washing is a better option but this car is leased, it's my everyday driver, and I'm a Realtor so I need to keep a clean car. I'm in Michigan, the car is black, so especially this time of year I'm through the wash fairly often. I know it's not ideal but it is a convenience issue.

I get stopped regularly because people have no idea what I'm driving. I love the car but I'm tired of the issues already.

I've had a few issues with it that I never had with the BMWs and Audis I've been driving recently, like a door handle that fell off in my hand and a radio unit that went bad with no replacement available anywhere for more than a month. They eventually swapped it out with the unit from the regional service manager's personal vehicle, so he drove around with no radio and Nav for the month instead of me.

It seems to me that this issue I'm having with car washes is a design flaw with the car. Not sure if it is all vehicles or just AWD models. I expect that others have had this issue and I'm curious what Hyundai has had to say about it.

 

[coolasice]

thanks for the heads up. during winters i would usually run my previous car though "touchless" car washes that had the wheel hook. for this car i will be using the newer style where you actually drive your car inside and put it in park and all the stuff sprays it and then you drive out.

maybe scout some newer gas station locations and see if they have it

 

[rjazz66]

YES! it isn't every car wash, but it's definitely a problem with some. I had a wash owner check it out, measure his track, etc and the right rail was 4-5/8" high all along which he claims is standard at all his washes. I've seen Vettes go through it without issue so it seems crazy to me that my 4-door sedan has trouble.

 

[Nikgen]

I have a 2015 Genesis 3.6 Ultimate AWD. I get it washed 2-3 times per week at drive-through washes.

You really get your car washed 2-3 times per week?? Where do you live that your car gets that dirty so quickly? A dirt road?

 

[rjazz66]

You really get your car washed 2-3 times per week?? Where do you live that your car gets that dirty so quickly? A dirt road?

Michigan. The car is black. In the summer I can go a week without washing, but this time of year...

 

[CanukV6]

Like rjazz66, I use automated car washes frequently and for the same reasons. I am in Sales and need to keep the car looking clean and in winter, to keep the salt from accumulating. Not ideal for the paintwork, but I will say the 3 Genesis's I have owned seem to stand up to the abuse much better than some other cars I have owned.

I haven't heard/felt any rubbing sounds from the car during its journey through the wash bay, but I will certainly check now I am aware of the issue.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Aquineas]

rjazz, I understand about your profession and needing it washed routinely. Have you asked your car-wash how much a hand-wash is?

I typically wash my car myself, but when I have some work to do, the car-wash I take it to charges $10 more for a hand-wash (so, $30 for a wash, vacuum, and tire dress). It takes longer, but I usually take my laptop, plugin to my anywhere-wifi, and I'm good-to-go. Perhaps a hand-wash option is available to you? If you have the time, that would solve two problems.

 

[sabre3]

for this car i will be using the newer style where you actually drive your car inside and put it in park and all the stuff sprays it and then you drive out.

maybe scout some newer gas station locations and see if they have it

Thats the kind I go to. Started going to those due to never having cash on me to tip the kids drying it at the big car wash. Also, the big one is always packed and takes too long. Now I know to keep going to that one and not worry about any damage.

 

[rjazz66]

You really get your car washed 2-3 times per week?? Where do you live that your car gets that dirty so quickly? A dirt road?

rjazz, I understand about your profession and needing it washed routinely. Have you asked your car-wash how much a hand-wash is?

I typically wash my car myself, but when I have some work to do, the car-wash I take it to charges $10 more for a hand-wash (so, $30 for a wash, vacuum, and tire dress). It takes longer, but I usually take my laptop, plugin to my anywhere-wifi, and I'm good-to-go. Perhaps a hand-wash option is available to you? If you have the time, that would solve two problems.

I pay for $250 annual plan that let's me get a wash every day at one of their 10 convenient locations, including 1 about a mile from home...too convenient....Here in MI there aren't any hand wash places, especially in the winter. I do normally also have my car detailed in spring to get rid of salt etc in the interior.

 

[rjazz66]

So, let me ask this question:

Seeing the damage that is apparently from automatic car washes, do you folks think it's a design flaw with the car or a problem with the car wash?

Again, I've taken a Corvette, a Mini Cooper, a Miata...plenty of other cars that are lower to the ground than my Genesis and never had a problem before.

You can tell from my photo that the lower control arm or the spindle have worn pretty far down. It isn't scraping because the car is a millimeter too low...it has to be by an inch or so.

When I go to the dealership I know they're going to tell me it's the car wash's fault...it just doesn't seem right that a pretty typical sized 4-door sedan has trouble with car washes.

Thoughts?

 

[rjazz66]

Here's a better photo of the damage to the spindle and control arm.

 

[rjazz66]

Yes, I have the same problem but not every time at the same car wash. I think it's related to how far right or left the left wheels are positioned in the track. I checked the clearance spec of my car (same as yours) and it had more clearance than my previous car which never rubbed, so I wondered if it was damaging anything. Now I know--thanks to your post.

As for comments about not using car washes, I'm past the point of babying my cars and only hand washing them. I used to avoid car washes and only hand wash, but at 73 I prefer a clean car without the work... Besides, I've never had a problem with the paint at trade-in time (2-3 years). However, I will look for another car wash wash because of for rubbing problem.

GCyr42...any chance you could take a look at your rear control arm assembly and see if you have any similar damage? I'd love to see a photo if you do see something

 

[GenesisAWD]

So, let me ask this question:

Seeing the damage that is apparently from automatic car washes, do you folks think it's a design flaw with the car or a problem with the car wash?

Again, I've taken a Corvette, a Mini Cooper, a Miata...plenty of other cars that are lower to the ground than my Genesis and never had a problem before.

You can tell from my photo that the lower control arm or the spindle have worn pretty far down. It isn't scraping because the car is a millimeter too low...it has to be by an inch or so.

When I go to the dealership I know they're going to tell me it's the car wash's fault...it just doesn't seem right that a pretty typical sized 4-door sedan has trouble with car washes.

Thoughts?

I'm going to guess that it's a design issue with the car. If the car wash did that to other cars regularly then the car wash would either have to get it fixed...or they would not have customers.

I've only had my AWD 2G for a month and a half but I too have taken it to the types of car washes you are talking about. I did notice at least once some minor rubbing noise when first getting on the escalator or whatever you call it. It's not like it made that noise the whole time I was in the wash though. I did check the exterior and didn't notice anything so I just forgot about it. I'll try to remember to look at the control arm on mine when I get the chance to see if it's the same thing.

Mine, like yours though is a lease as well so I'm not too overly concerned about long-term damage.

 

[Midnightsun]

So, let me ask this question:

Seeing the damage that is apparently from automatic car washes, do you folks think it's a design flaw with the car or a problem with the car wash?

Again, I've taken a Corvette, a Mini Cooper, a Miata...plenty of other cars that are lower to the ground than my Genesis and never had a problem before.

You can tell from my photo that the lower control arm or the spindle have worn pretty far down. It isn't scraping because the car is a millimeter too low...it has to be by an inch or so.

When I go to the dealership I know they're going to tell me it's the car wash's fault...it just doesn't seem right that a pretty typical sized 4-door sedan has trouble with car washes.

Thoughts?

Do you really think car manufacturers work together with car wash manufacturers to see if it will go through? I certainly do not. This brand of car wash may in fact be the only one in America that does not work well with the Gen2 Genesis. Only advice I can give you is go to one that pressure washes and where you need to drive in and out. Many cars especially as of late have issues, read this. http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/can-your-car-get-through-wash

 

[Mark_888]

Here's a better photo of the damage to the spindle and control arm.

Should be covered by comprehensive insurance, depending on your deductible. Looks like it may be an AWD problem.

 

[ksoze]

The issue is the type of car wash. There are plenty of "touchless" car washes around which let the driver drive in with no track or pulley system. They use various forms of high pressure water and some are better than others. THey will not leave the car as squeaky clean as one which uses brushes. All however are better than any automated car wash where something touches the car. The winter is the worse - your car is rubbed or brushed with salt from the car who just went through. Would never take my dark car through one - leased or not.