Automatic carwash?

[sml1076]

First, hello all, I'm new to the forum. Since that's out of the way, I have a question. I went through an automatic carwash yesterday for the first time since I got my '07 mazda 3(I usually do it by hand, but recieved a free carwash coupon). After I drove through the wash, I got out to vacuum the inside and found that behind the passenger seat, under the floor mat, the carpet was soaked. I'm the only person that has been in the car so I'm positive nothing was spilled, and there didn't appear to be any sign of a leak from any windows or doors. The only conclusion I can think of, is that the water came up through the floor, from the undercarrage wash. So I guess my question is, has anyone heard of something like this happening....is it a common thing(design flaw) with the mazda 3?

 

[DaleNixon]

In my old Protege5 I once got blasted in the ear by an automatic car wash. I think the angle of the water was just perfect to shoot right through my weather stripping and into the car. It wasn't a ton of water, but I was really surprised by it!

As long as you can get the mess cleaned up, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[NCZ13]

take your car through an automatic car wash is not wise.

i recommend you read up on proper car washing technique if you want your paint to have less swirls and scratches...

 

[sml1076]

take your car through an automatic car wash is not wise.

i recommend you read up on proper car washing technique if you want your paint to have less swirls and scratches...

wow, thanks.

 

[bazooka joe]

i use the brushless wash during the winter months

 

[saranya]

take your car through an automatic car wash is not wise.

i recommend you read up on proper car washing technique if you want your paint to have less swirls and scratches...

agreed. with the quality of the MS3 paint. I'd be especially careful.

 

[DaleNixon]

Well yea I only ever went to brushless. Going through brush washes is just asking for trouble. You never know what kind of crap the last car in may have left behind.

 

[sml1076]

I never ever go through brush washers...always brushless, if I go to an automatic wash at all. I've just never had something like this happen when I have gone through an automatic, so I found it very strange.....it cleaned up easily enough though.

 

[skylar2ups]

I have the same problem And it also gets in my sunroof and random parts of my water get wet... I know only wash my car by hand... it's tiny anyway so it doesn't take that long and you can spend the time you need in the places you need.