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What has been your experience with running your S580 through automatic car washes (those tunnels of spinning brushes)? I looked in the manual for an automatic car wash mode like the GSL580 has and there isn't one. Instead, the manual advises that the only possible way to avoid all manner of unpleasantness, like the doors and trunk opening and the automatic braking function locking up, is to shut all those features off, lock the car and move the key fob about 20 feet away, which is impossible.
I would recommend you avoid automatic carwashes at all costs because the damage they do to your paint in the form of micro-scratches is irrefutable. If you think about it, the brushes that are used to "clean" your car just washed all the road debris, grime, bird poop, rocks and pebbles from the pickup bed ahead of you, and everything else off the 20 cars that went through the tunnel before you.
I live in a high-rise condo myself and do not have access to a garden hose or a place at home to wash my car by hand, but I learned (the hard way) years ago that automatic carwashes, while convenient, are a paint's worst nightmare.
It's almost universally agreed upon to avoid automatic car washes that have spinning brushes and/or any other object that comes into direct contact with your paint. That being said, there are a number of automatic car washes around me that offer a touch-less option (no brushes/nothing touching the paint), which are fine.
I too was concerned at first about auto car washes. In reality there are a few things to do to keep damage to a minimum.
-Turn wipers to the full OFF position. Remember they auto detect water and could turn on.
-Set your mirrors to the retracted position.
-Turn off parking assist with associated warning tones if you don't want to hear a concert of warning tones and colorful images on your display as you pass thru.
-So far, no erroneous trunk openings or rear camera deployment issues.
-Ask the hand dryer attendant to straighten the hood ornament for god's sake
If you feel you must punish yourself, have an affair. Take up dagger juggling. Run with the bull. But the filthy spinning brushes of paint death... Helllllll no.
What I believe MS580 was referring to is the "Automatic Car Wash Mode" setting found under "Settings" - "Vehicle" - "Driving" menu. When activated, it shuts down all the sensors and retracts the rearview mirrors. It is very convenient, despite the negative talk here, sometimes a brushless wash is just what the doctor ordered.
An alternative path is the "Function" button which looks like a front photo of the S Class next to the Hazard lights, then in the sub-menu, the "Automatic Car Wash Mode" is a short cut button on the screen.
I have read posts here that the GLS has this setting, but some here state the our W223 does not. But, it is there on my car.
I never use automatic car washes for my own cars.
When I was in the 20's I used to wash cars myself but now since I'm busy and old I hire a mobile car wash guy.
I pay him $50 to do both of my cars: EQS and the Carnival (Van). My neighbor who also is a car guy and I use the same guy at the same time so we get 20% off.
I would never have a 110K + W223 at a 10-dollar express wash.
A good car wash system in your own garage (when it's possible) would eliminate the need to visit the car wash stations that often. I installed the Dual AR Blue Clean AR630-TSS kit from Obsessed Garage, which comes with the best retractable hose/reel you can have, excellent pump, and water spotless filtration system so I don't even need to dry the car.
For a slightly more budget friendly system, Kranzle K1622TS is a great option too: https://www.obsessedgarage.com/colle...stall-solution
The 3rd and cheapest option for about 1K would be this... https://www.obsessedgarage.com/colle...mount-solution
- Disclaimer :/ I have no affiliation or any personal interest with Obsessed Garage. Also, hopefully there isn't any sponsor forum vendor here who sells garage stuff to get offended by me for posting excellent or better recommendations elsewhere, lol. Seriously though, these guys "Obsessed Garage" are great; They use well-known brands. and they put together a kit from various brands, and sometimes they even replace certain parts to make the overall kit or product even better. Their prices are fair too when compared to buying all the same items separately from the main manufacturers.
Quite honestly, that's about right and great comparison, lol. I figured that if someone is asking or worried about taking his car to a car wash, there is a good chance that he also enjoys washing his cars that much. To me, it's a hobby and I really enjoy it, so it's more of toys type of tools that I enjoy. Am sure you can get the same functionality yet a very reliable setup for less than 800 USD. The spotless water system is the piece that will cost at least 400 USD no matter what for a good one, the fest for a good reel, pump and so on is at least another 300-400 USD... But then if you want a compact wall mounted system, I can't see how that is possible with less than a 1000 USD budget. For some others, 2x buckets and a 30 USD hose would still do the job.
Does that setup wash the car for me? Because thats what I need lol
All kidding aside thats a GREAT setup. I wish I had the time and energy to wash my cars myself but I just don't...so light colors and the carwash for me
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
I have no affiliation or any personal interest with Obsessed Garage. Also, hopefully there isn't any sponsor forum vendor here who sells garage stuff to get offended by me for posting excellent or better recommendations elsewhere, lol. Seriously though, these guys "Obsessed Garage" are great; They use well-known brands. and they put together a kit from various brands, and sometimes they even replace certain parts to make the overall kit or product even better. Their prices are fair too when compared to buying all the same items separately from the main manufacturers.
