Touch-free wash safe for Injen CAI?

[Slade]

I just bought an Injen CAI for my brother's MSP and I've got a concern.
He regularly uses touch-free washes that utilize an underbody spray as you drive into the bay.
I'm under the impression that the filter sits in the wheel well and might be exposed to this jet of water.
The car has to be "driven" past this process so the intake will definitely be breathing.
Will the intake force be enough to suck in water? Is this a valid concern?
I've seen plenty of people on this board that have this installed and thought someone might be able to help me.
I've considered buying the "Splash Guard" that Injen sells, but I'm not sure if even this would keep water off the filter.

 

[Striker187]

well for one thing, you're not really supposed to use those washes as the chemicals used in the soap supposedly ruin the finish on your wheels. but i'm not sure if it's something to worry about or not.....i guess so long as the filter doesn't get submerged in water, it won't be a problem.

 

[Slade]

I don't know about "submerged", but the filter may get soaked. Is that something to be concerned about?

 

[SpicyMSP]

I would not get concerned , It will be fine. Seriously. I have evidence to prove this. But I have posted it 1 million times. Trust me, it will be fine.

 

[chillinmcmillan]

The intake should be fine, but the chemicals hurt your paint man. Don't use the touchless car wash especially on the beautiful MSP paint!

 

[Miques]

I thought cars with spoilers were not supposed to use touch free car washes!

 

[Apexi]

what are these chemicals that hurt the finish?

 

[oliver2000]

on the window visor when you get the car...it has a thing called " get up to speed "

One thing it says is never go thru a automatic car wash

 

[trobbins]

On the MP3, and I assume on the MSP, the alloy wheels stick out farther than the tires on the edges of the wheel. This means that instead of the metal alignment bars in the car wash hitting the rubber of the tire, it may hit your alloy wheels and scrach them.

When I picked up my MP3 I was given a yellow slip of paper that warns against this and says Mazda won't fix it if you do it.

Word of warning.

Tim

 

[Slade]

I guess the Injen filter is okay then.
My brother lives of life of convience and that is why I needed to know if the filter would be a problem.
He would *not* give up his carwash.

 

[phantom]

how about if the automatic car wash is a sensored position car wash? so instead of the wheel guide thing on the floor. it has sensor to tell you to stop.

would those car wash be ok?


I know that hand wash is the best, but in winter is a mess to wash and it all frezzzzze up......

 

[oliver2000]

coin to a coin wash early in the morning or late at night....with a bucket, a clean sponge or towel....wet the car and hand wash it....spray it down....I have some rubber thermal gloves that keep your hands from freezing...

me however my MSP and the wifes MP3 are stored winters so it does not matter to me..

 

[AZDriftR]

just tell him to hand wash it. you dont have to worry about the chemicals or about your wheels getting scratched. plus you can do a much better job and with a good coat of wax it can stay clean for alot longer

 

[NEED4SPEED]

Its not so much the chemicals you should worry about. Its the car wash itself. If its a touch-free then your fine, but if its one of those car washes where your car gets slapped around by some foamy cloths then its not cool. Thats what will damage your paint job and your wheels.

As for me? I wash my car every Sunday when the sun isnt directly hitting my car. If its really dirty and has bird s*** on it, then ill take it through a touch-free.

 

[aznsebass]

do you need to remove your antenna.. on a p5, if you use the touchless car washes?

 

[vodapas77]

do you need to remove your antenna.. on a p5, if you use the touchless car washes?

Yes, alot of places do it for you. But any of those ones you drive through, definitely remove it.

 

[Ryan]

I would not get concerned , It will be fine. Seriously. I have evidence to prove this. But I have posted it 1 million times. Trust me, it will be fine.

really depends... i have never had any problems with this.. but yesterday i was in chatanooga and hit a car wash, i wasn't in the msp.. i was in a 02 mitsubishi lancer oz rally and after the car wash... the car began to sputter and stall... after about 5 mins of revving the car, the car ran like it did b4 no issues.. i dunno if maybe water got squirted into the exhaust or into the intake either way.. it was fixed just as fast.

 

[Black Majik MSP]

I prefer to go to the places where you drive in & use the coin-operated car washes. They have a pressure washer that does an excellent job of cleaning the car & you still get to do it yourself for only about $10 (that's what I usually spend).

 

[1338]

ha i just spend $20 and have it hand washed & detailed and every 3 weeks i include a wax for about $10 more around there every were at gas stations where people do mobil hand wash & detail.

 

[JTP]

What about the pressure washer soap at car washes? Do they put those bad chemicals in car washes as well? I have always used them and never had a problem but now I am worried. Thanks a lot. JK