Carwash with winter tires?

[Verbatim]

Hey guys,

I've tried some searching but couldn't find much. My 1LE is my daily driver, so I've had the winter tires and wheels on it for a while now up here in frozen Michigan. I have a set of 20x8 stock SS rims with 245/45 20 Blizzaks on all 4 corners. I know we're not supposed to take our cars through car washes with the stock 1LE wheels and tires, but I was wondering if anyone knew if I would be OK now that I have the stock SS rims on there. Are there other limiting factors like the front splitter or something else that would make it risky to do an automatic car wash?

I know I should just find an indoor hand wash to do it, but let's be honest, that is a PITA and I'm much less likely to get it washed if I have to put that much effort in, especially if it will just be salty and filthy again in a day or two.

Thanks in advance for any comments and advice.

[rodknee]

the main thing is the hood wrap. iirc, GM says to not use autmatic carwash so as to not damage the hood wrap.

glad to see someone running the car year round, good luck!

[shibbs]

When I had my stock wheels, 20x8 and 20x9, I had no problem in carwashes.

But yeah, most of the "hot wax" things those automatic washes do will make your hood vinyl wrap turn cloudy/foggy.

[Schluney]

Make sure it's touchless too! Other wise it will likely scratch your hood... Not to mention swirl marks for days

[Verbatim]

Thanks for the comments guys! Is there anything I could do in the spring to freshen up the vinyl if the wax makes it cloudy?

[Dropspeed]

One other item to mention is te chin spoiler ground clearance. The tracks and the stops in most automatic car washes are fairly tall. If you car is lowered you may want to watch that clearance.

[Tstormers]

I take mine through a touchless, trackless carwash in Toronto, without the hot wax options. maybe they have one of these in your area? The one I go to is a Shell (I think you have those in the states). Mines a DD as well

[RockerBox]

I'm a fan of touchless car wash. Whatever I buy will have to go through one.

[kevinw]

OP. even with a car wash, touchless, there will still be that "film" or grime on the car. the car really needs to be hand wiped to really get it all clean, especially salt, etc.

i hand wash my cars on my driveway, even this time of year. i feel like an idiot and i am sure the neighbors want me committed, but a good hand wash is the best way to do it. you have a really nice expensive camaro there, good luck!!

[Scotty D]

I go to a local car wash up here in Boston that's awesome

[Homer2]

I use the ones you pull into, and the wash machine goes around you. That means no issues for clearance or rims. Under car blaster with the deluxe wash.. but they use chemicals so the cloudy hood might be an issue.