Full Service Car Wash Won't Wash Cybertruck

[rcowley1982]

Is anyone else having trouble finding a full-service car wash to clean the Cybertruck?

Autopia Car Wash in Livermore, CA refused to wash the Cybertruck. The manager didn't know why and said I should email the owner (via the website). I did, and got a quick reply.

"Thanks for your inquiry. We have washed a couple and had issues. Water leaks as well as fine abrasions on the finish of the truck. Also, Tesla recommends not to use an automatic car wash for the cyber truck as stated in the owners manual. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes you. Please see attached screenshot."

I read the owner's manual again, and it does say "Tesla does not recommend taking Cybertruck through an automatic car wash." But then 3 sections below it talks about Car Wash Mode. Then it continues on to recommend only using a touchless car wash.

I checked what the owners manual for the S, 3, and Y said about automatic car washes. All Tesla vehicles have cautions against automatic car washes and recommend touchless: "If washing in an automatic car wash, use touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model S. Some touchless car washes use caustic solutions that, over time, can cause discoloration of decorative exterior trim. Avoid exposure to soaps and chemicals above pH 13. If unsure, check the product label or ask the staff at the car wash. Damage caused by improper washing is not covered by the warranty." I pointed out to Autopia that they wash all other Tesla models even though a similar warning exists.

My wife's Yukon doesn't have the same caution, nor does a Mercedes C class.

Why is the Cybertruck HFS more delicate than paint? It may not be, but the warnings in the owners manual certainly indicate that this is Tesla's position.

Tesla advertised that the Cybertruck is "Durable and Rugged Enough To Go Anywhere" -- but apparently it's too delicate for an automatic car wash?

Has anyone else been able to overcome similar pushback? I'm too old to wash the truck myself.

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[GatorCyber]

If the owner followed every car manual, he would turn away most every car!

 

[The Tumbler]

I’m hand washing mine now after getting it wrapped but had a fine experience at Walnut Creek car wash on north main across from BevMo after I took deliver. High end place that has the soap and water sprayers in the drivethru but touch less. Essentially a hand wash. Little far from you but those guys do a great job.

 

[rcowley1982]

He did, if you continue reading the quote, "Thanks for your inquiry. We have washed a couple and had issues. Water leaks as well as fine abrasions on the finish of the truck. Also, Tesla recommends not to use an automatic car wash for the cyber truck as stated in the owners manual. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes you. Please see attached screenshot."

 

[rcowley1982]

I’m hand washing mine now after getting it wrapped but had a fine experience at Walnut Creek car wash on north main across from BevMo after I took deliver. High end place that has the soap and water sprayers in the drivethru but touch less. Essentially a hand wash. Little far from you but those guys do a great job.

Thanks for the referral. Walnut Creek is too far to drive for a car wash. Hand washing isn't a good option for me. I really like Autopia; they do a good job overall, have multiple locations, and their VIP plan is very competitively priced. I'd rather convince them to wash the Cybertruck than find another car wash. I sent a reply to counter their points, and I'm waiting for their reply.

 

[The Tumbler]

I’ve been here. Completely hand wash. Did a great job but more expensive than autopia I’d guess.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VHAKBp7PV5fKojaP9?g_st=ic

 

[CyberTruckeeTheOne]

Is anyone else having trouble finding a full-service car wash to clean the Cybertruck?

Autopia Car Wash in Livermore, CA refused to wash the Cybertruck. The manager didn't know why and said I should email the owner (via the website). I did, and got a quick reply.

"Thanks for your inquiry. We have washed a couple and had issues. Water leaks as well as fine abrasions on the finish of the truck. Also, Tesla recommends not to use an automatic car wash for the cyber truck as stated in the owners manual. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes you. Please see attached screenshot."

I read the owner's manual again, and it does say "Tesla does not recommend taking Cybertruck through an automatic car wash." But then 3 sections below it talks about Car Wash Mode. Then it continues on to recommend only using a touchless car wash.

I checked what the owners manual for the S, 3, and Y said about automatic car washes. All Tesla vehicles have cautions against automatic car washes and recommend touchless: "If washing in an automatic car wash, use touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model S. Some touchless car washes use caustic solutions that, over time, can cause discoloration of decorative exterior trim. Avoid exposure to soaps and chemicals above pH 13. If unsure, check the product label or ask the staff at the car wash. Damage caused by improper washing is not covered by the warranty." I pointed out to Autopia that they wash all other Tesla models even though a similar warning exists.

My wife's Yukon doesn't have the same caution, nor does a Mercedes C class.

Why is the Cybertruck HFS more delicate than paint? It may not be, but the warnings in the owners manual certainly indicate that this is Tesla's position.

Tesla advertised that the Cybertruck is "Durable and Rugged Enough To Go Anywhere" -- but apparently it's too delicate for an automatic car wash?

Has anyone else been able to overcome similar pushback? I'm too old to wash the truck myself.

Glad my wife hand washes!

Anyone interested? She got sisters? ?

 

[LuvOrH8]

I take mine through a standard car wash tunnel with no issues. Always in car wash mode, no issues.

 

[CyberGus]

I'd rather convince them to wash the Cybertruck than find another car wash. I sent a reply to counter their points, and I'm waiting for their reply.

I'm guessing they had a Cybertruck owner make a stink, and decided it wasn't worth the trouble. Maybe if you signed a waiver? lol

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

I have one of those 'pay monthly for unlimited washes' plans for my Model Y and have never noticed any ill effects on it that I haven't gotten worse from birds, bugs, and soccer moms. Early on someone posted here that there was an issue with their wheels in the car wash track, but have there been any substantive issues reported since? I'd like to sign up but not if my car is going to brick on me.

 

[Deleted member 17810]

Find another carwash.

Right to refuse service and all that jazz.

 

[Carlos Thomas]

Is anyone else having trouble finding a full-service car wash to clean the Cybertruck?

Autopia Car Wash in Livermore, CA refused to wash the Cybertruck. The manager didn't know why and said I should email the owner (via the website). I did, and got a quick reply.

"Thanks for your inquiry. We have washed a couple and had issues. Water leaks as well as fine abrasions on the finish of the truck. Also, Tesla recommends not to use an automatic car wash for the cyber truck as stated in the owners manual. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes you. Please see attached screenshot."

I read the owner's manual again, and it does say "Tesla does not recommend taking Cybertruck through an automatic car wash." But then 3 sections below it talks about Car Wash Mode. Then it continues on to recommend only using a touchless car wash.

I checked what the owners manual for the S, 3, and Y said about automatic car washes. All Tesla vehicles have cautions against automatic car washes and recommend touchless: "If washing in an automatic car wash, use touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model S. Some touchless car washes use caustic solutions that, over time, can cause discoloration of decorative exterior trim. Avoid exposure to soaps and chemicals above pH 13. If unsure, check the product label or ask the staff at the car wash. Damage caused by improper washing is not covered by the warranty." I pointed out to Autopia that they wash all other Tesla models even though a similar warning exists.

My wife's Yukon doesn't have the same caution, nor does a Mercedes C class.

Why is the Cybertruck HFS more delicate than paint? It may not be, but the warnings in the owners manual certainly indicate that this is Tesla's position.

Tesla advertised that the Cybertruck is "Durable and Rugged Enough To Go Anywhere" -- but apparently it's too delicate for an automatic car wash?

Has anyone else been able to overcome similar pushback? I'm too old to wash the truck myself.

I am a member at Quick Quack and I take my CyberTruck through the car wash. I washed it by hand twice and I realized that going a 90 second car wash was the way to go for me. After I go through it I do hand dry some parts that don’t dry well (rear tailgate). Everything else drys through their machine + driving off and allowing the vehicle to air dry.

My CyberTruck always looks clean. I do the lowest level they offer so that there is no wax or sealants used on the surface. No tire dressing so that it does not fling up on the sides when I drive off. If I do any tire dressing, I do it every now and then at home and it is allowed to sit overnight.

Quick Quack who was founded in Roseville, CA is growing their presence in the west. It would be a 20 minute drive for you from Livermore.

 

[CursedFlintlock]

Stainless steel is extremely durable but just like any knife or sword or machete you've ever used, it can scratch and it scratches relatively easily. This is not a durability issue, it's a bare finished steel characteristic.
The reason they say this is car washes never clean their equipment so all of those spinning and swaying machines get every piece of weird debris stuck to them and then they slam them against your car's finish at 400rpm = basically a sander.
This is why you will never (should never) see a nice car go through an automatic car wash either. It will scratch your Mercedes or Yukon as well, it's just way less noticeable to the average user when a clear coat gets scratched vs steel. Clear coat is clear and that's why it's on the car.
In a perfect world, you would go through an automatic car wash with perfectly clean components and it would be fine, but they couldn't care less and most people that use an automatic car wash don't know any better or care either.
I would NEVER take any of my Ferraris or Lamborghinis in a car wash for the same reason and you can see the fine scratches in the paint when people do or they don't use a perfectly clean wash kit.
Find yourself a local touchless car wash, it's better for every car you own. Or you could wrap your truck in a PPF for about $5k and then do whatever you feel like with it cause it can't get scratched by anything.
Conversely, some touchless car washes get criticism because the water pressure is too high and can damage delicate paint, which could never damage your steel. So, give and take in everything

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

I see very nice cars go through the car wash I use all the time. They only use floppy ‘brushes’ and the pressure washers Tesla uses (seen countless times in use on Cybertruck’s at GigaTexas) are probably more abrasive than anything we or any car wash would use.

This isn’t your refrigerator stainless we are talking about, and if you don’t know that then you should go do a lot of due diligence. Tesla said that if someone would try keying a Cybertruck it would damage the key and not the truck.

I am struggling to agree with anything you wrote.

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