[Livetodrive]

So after last week's snowfall, with the temperature still frigid and the car covered in road salt, I decided to take it to the local car wash. As soon as the vehicle entered the track, the low tire pressure warning lit up. Upon inspection at the exit, the valve stem on my rear left 18 in. run-flat tire was AWOL. Rather than drive the car and ruin the tire, I called the dealer and then waited almost two hours for a tow. They replaced the valve stem at no cost. It turns out the manual indicates the track should be no higher than four in., as that is the height of the valve stem. This particular track was 5 in. high and hit the valve stem. Lesson learned.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by Livetodrive

So after last week's snowfall, with the temperature still frigid and the car covered in road salt, I decided to take it to the local car wash. As soon as the vehicle entered the track, the low tire pressure warning lit up. Upon inspection at the exit, the valve stem on my rear left 18 in. run-flat tire was AWOL. Rather than drive the car and ruin the tire, I called the dealer and then waited almost two hours for a tow. They replaced the valve stem at no cost. It turns out the manual indicates the track should be no higher than four in., as that is the height of the valve stem. This particular track was 5 in. high and hit the valve stem. Lesson learned.

Prepared to be flamed.

[CalCarNut]

With the wheels on most of our cars sticking out, I'd be paranoid of wheel rash first..and the valve stem getting ripped off 2nd.......

[435MSport6Speed]

Just go to the spray booth and knock the big stuff off in the future.

[BEM-S4]

Or find a hand wash place by you. Got GF a monthly package for $45 good for
two washes per month.

[MuffinMan910]

Never use car washes with tracks. Hate car washes in general but I have a daily 90 day pass for the winter for a touchless car wash where the machine moves around the car, as opposed to a track walking the car through the machine

[CIWS]

Well that sucks, but you've learned a lesson about your car that this round only cost you some time and not cashola. Plus maybe someone else reading will not make the same mistake.

[rolltidef32]

You should be washing your own car, period.

Even with a so called hand wash place, do they use clean towels each wash? Are the towels used quality microfiber?

Particularly important in this case where the paint is totally contaminated with road salt. To limit scratches, that car needed to be pretreated with a waterless wash, rinsed, maybe even foam cannoned, then washed.

Also, is your paint sealed or waxed? If not, and you've driven all winter through all the crap, then you need a pro detailer to perform a paint correction when the snow ends.

[440xiGCMsport]

Go through a few more car washes with tracks and you will need an alignment and eventually new wheels.

[335BOY]

I always steer to the right 9keep it on right edge of track)when in those washes and have never had a problem. Thats with 275s.