I have heard different thoughts across the board, so I come to my Audi experts here.

What is too cold for a car wash? Should you drive around after the wash? Could this cause the "wet window" syndrome?

Parking inside/outside?

Let the discussion begin!

I have a 2012 Audi A4, I am sure all models will carry the same answer though.

Mike

 

It depends on the car wash. I go to a "non-contact " type that has an air drier at the end but there are 2 attendants after you exit the wash bay who wipe the remaining water off of the car. They also clean/wipe the windows both inside and out. The only thing I do is carry a towel and dry all of the door jams and trunk lid. My cars are in an unheated garage which usually doesn't go below 25*F. That's my method.

 

Is the issue about washing the vehicle in below-freezing weather or what kind of car wash to use. The bottom line is that if you wash the car in freezing weather you risk frozen windows and locks. A car wash with an air dryer may help, and certainly parking in a warm garage helps. But a little ice is preferable to leaving the car covered in dirt and salt, imho.


If you don't mind swirls in the finish, a contact car wash or letting those two a-holes with dirty towels dry it will work. If you want to avoid swirls, then contact-less is the way to go.


Don't get me started about car washes with those guide rails. I now avoid them like the plague since one time when a slight mis-alignment on entry caused a rim gash.


I go to contact-less in the winter for the A4; and handwash it and my two Crossfires in the summer.

 

Agreed. I'm wary of automated car washes and have always hand washed my Audi. I owned an A4 and recently traded up for an S4. In New England, the car washes use antifreeze in the water. I always wondered if the chemical in antifreeze was worth the effect on the finish vs the harshness of the salt and not wash it in automated car washes. So I waited this winter as we got killed with over 100 inches of snow in 6 weeks in Boston. I just washed my car in my driveway today and noticed multiple rust colored dots on the car body and bumpers. Freakin' rust after only 6 weeks of letting salt sit on the finish? I took my finger nail and attacked 3 spots. They seem to have come off but light was dim in the garage. Any one experience this on the finish in harsh winters? I'm hoping next weekend to wax it and hope that, with some elbow grease, these rust color dots (2-3mm in size) come off.

 

I occasionally see small rust colored dots (very small) on the rear of my A6. They come off with some scrubbing of a sponge and easily with some Meguiar's Scratch-X. (If using the latter, then wax.) They do not seem to be actual surface rust as much as something that has been kicked up on the rear of the car or possibly from the exhaust. The A6 is silver, also. With 236k miles and 12 years of winter driving, there is also real rust and that takes the form of bubbles and/or flaking paint. It is very noticeable (and heart breaking).

 

Good to know. I'll see if I can buff them out. Thanks.