Automatic car wash

After reading a few threads and some reviews on Amazon, is it okay to run my 2018 Tundra through an automatic car wash? I'm concerned about my stock antenna. Both my last cars didn't have an antenna like my Tundra. I live in Idaho and have no choice to use an automatic car wash until winter is over.

 

While I don’t really suggest automated carwashes. Definitely take off your antenna if you’d like to keep it. Also check the weatherstripping on top of the cab to make sure it’s still there when you’re done.

 

I run mine through once or twice a week. They aren't the best for light scratches but I have a silver Tundra and they pretty much aren't noticeable. The antenna is questionable depending on the car wash. I personally take my antenna off for each wash and put it back on afterwards. Doesn't take that much time.

 

I have never taken the tundra through a car wash, but have on many of my previous vehicles. I have never taken the antenna off, and have never had any problems. It's easy to take off though and car wash places will sometimes have a warning directing you to do that, so it's easy enough to mitigate that risk.

 

Mine came with a little tool in the glove box to remove the antenna before washing.

 

I take mine thru a touchless car wash and never take my stock antenna off. I've never had problems. I always check it when I dry it off.

 

I'll have to look to see if I have one. Bought my 2018 Tundra a few weeks ago.

 

I run mine through, especially in the winter. I never take the antenna off and have never had damage.

 

Really TF? That’s cool. I always have tools in my truck. I don’t go through car washes but I think they shafted me on my tool LOL

 

Tool? What tool?

 

Looks something like this. It should be in your glove box.

 

Yep must’ve been jack at the dealer

 

yep, thats the one that was in my glove box.

 

Where I get gas they give 20 cents off on a carwash per gallon fuel purchased, which equals six bucks on a 30 gl fill up. They have a brushless carwash so no harm to the antenna or swirl marks in my paint, for the most part I wash my truck at home which does a better job anyway.

 

Sweet I got one too, a black plastic one.

 

I have never seen that, I'll have to look. The antenna on my FJ and now my Tundra loosen over time and I usually either hand tighten or grab a wrench and give it a nice twist.

 

When using Automated in my experience the longer the tunnel, the better wash you get. It will never be what a hand wash could be but I've been using one for 3 years now that is very long and everyone at work thinks I hand wash it. I just bring some high quality drying clothes to dry it afterwards. I would not go through one unless you had a light color that hides more scratches.

 

try to find a touchless wash to hold you over until winter is over.

 

My tundra is Barcelona red. Maybe I'll just do touch less until I can hand wash.

 

Any sunroof leaks? I'm always reluctant to go through these due to all of the high pressure water? I prefer these so that I don't get the dreaded swirl marks.

 

I used to work at an automatic car wash and I don’t recommend it. It damages the paint and at night when we clean the tunnel there would be all kinds of car parts not just antennas I know it’s easy and quick but if you really want to take care of your truck I wouldn’t recommend it

 

Even touch less car washes are bad?

 

I don't have a sunroof now but did in my 4Runner with no issues what so ever in 15 years.

 

I got mine a few moths ago, no antenna tool. Did your manuals and books for the truck come in any kind of leather binder? Mine were loose. 1st new car where the manuals came like that.

 

I’m not familiar with touch less since I have never used that method and the car wash I worked at they used those machines wrapped in cloth but what I do know about touch less car wash is that the thing to worry about is the chemicals because I think if incorrectly used it could damage the paint but like I said I’m not too familiar with touch less so I could be wrong but as far as automatic car washes that use cloth I don’t recommend

 

Blue thread locker will fix that.

 

Checked today and I have the tool. My manuals and books are loose but are in a section of the glove box and fit pretty good.

 

Just bought my 2013. The previous owner must have hyjacked it so I bought one through a local Toyota dealer for about $8.00 and some change. The owners manual says that the Toyota supplied wrench will not scratch the finish.

 

I'll run my truck through the mud before i run it through any swirl-o-matic.