Do you cover the two air vents on the hood before a car wash?

[SilverBillet]

Even if you cover them up the plastic vent is not gasketed on the hood so water will seep under it. I tried not to get it too wet in the area where the water drains towards the vents and the towels I put underneath still got pretty wet.

 

[MikeD1]

This is a very interesting conversation lol I have owned now 2 Hellcat Chargers over the last 4 years and never have had water issues in the vents. To the point I used to only go to the car wash with my first Hellcat and at least 3-4 times a month and it would sit outside in rain and snow as well. And now my second Charger Hellcat I have actually hand washed her more than going to the car wash but same story she sits outside in rain and snow. Summing it up can anyone here show in the owners manual a warning of the hood vents getting water in them and doing damage to the car?
I owned the 2019 Toyota Tacoma Pro with the factory Snorkel and it had a big warning label inside the passengers side to never take her thru a car wash. And I used to detail cars 30 years ago and sell automotive waxes and cleaners and polishes. The Dodge paint is not a prestigious paint and has many flaws in it. If you think taking your car to a really good soft touch car wash is going to ruin the paint well your driving the wrong car lol. Yeah I would not take my Black Bugatti to the car wash lol. And what amazes me about car values they all depreciate the exact same whether you have an incredible pristine clean used car versus a nice clean used car you will not get any more money fir her. Trust me on that one lol I have traded in cars with low mileage and basically brand new and yep KBB value is KBB value no matter how cherry she is. I used to take my Plum Crazy only to the car wash all the time.
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For me it's a matter of my OCD overriding what my brain knows to be true

I'm know the water won't damage anything and I've experienced (many times over) that a pristine car brings very little extra $$ at resale time (especially if you are trading it).
The vents just make it more of a chore to clean up under the hood after the wash - I just HAVE to get all the water out of those little pockets that form the ridge around the air cleaner cover

 

[SilverBillet]

Exactly!

 

[Jimmy N.]

I put mine on a rotisserie, then wash it while upside down.
Never any water intrusion through the vents that way, but they do function as drains.

 

[Jimmy N.]

you mean something like this.....

Yeah, pretty close.
After visiting CO in the wintertime, I often lift the back of the Ram 3500 with the crane, then wash the chassis.
If I'm ambitious, the 32-foot trailer gets the same treatment, but lifted from the sides.

 

[BULL]

Yeah, pretty close.
After visiting CO in the wintertime, I often lift the back of the Ram 3500 with the crane, then wash the chassis.
If I'm ambitious, the 32-foot trailer gets the same treatment, but lifted from the sides.

Pictures! Absolutely pictures!


(You know, pictures or it didn't happen...)

 

[Hellcatcfp]

You're so right...strippers can damage it badly....but it's your wallet that you really gotta watch out for....they can wreak havoc on that.....

oh wait.....you were talking about chemical strippers in the wash water at the car wash......nevermind......

@1971demon knows how strippers can damage your car. Waiting for the rest of the story on that one...

 

[Matt someone with an SRT]

After the car wash.. get home pop hood wipe and clean the under hood goodies and any water spatter and soap.. no biggie..

 

[Grape Ape]

I don't recommend a touchless wash for the simple fact that the stripping chemicals they use can be very hard on your paint. Of course, I don't recommend a touch wash either. If, for a medical reason, you can't wash the vehicle yourself, a touchless won't be bad so long as you remember to hydrate the paint again with a little wax/water. The strippers can damage it pretty badly.

I've heard that about them strippers.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Pictures! Absolutely pictures!

(You know, pictures or it didn't happen...)

Ask, and you shall see how I use my receiver. And some chain and stuff.

 

[1971demon]

I've heard that about them strippers.

French Canadian strippers are the best...cute little accents...

 

[Jimmy N.]

Yeah, I like that little Karcher for small cleanups like this.
My Honda powered one hasn't seen much use in the last few years - which happens to coincide with buying the electric one.

 

[BULL]

Ask, and you shall see how I use my receiver. And some chain and stuff. View attachment 25257 View attachment 25258

Awesome, just freaking awesome!

 

[Jimmy N.]

Awesome, just freaking awesome!

Well, if you guys didn't use that evil magnesium chloride, but salt like civilized people, I wouldn't really have to do these things.

 

[Hunter]

Do you ever run your car through a touchless car wash and not cover the two side hood air vents? I see that the drivers side air vent gives air to the air filter but not sure if the passenger hood air vent will Just drip water onto the engine. Any advice ??

Used to drive my 16 thru the touchless.
I would turn it off while in, just to be safe.
My 19, as much as I spray / wash it down, I do not cover it.
Now I'm thinking maybe???

 

[Hunter]

You missed a spot.

Dang it ! You beat me to the punch, now I have to delete mine!!

 

[1971demon]

I bet there is a story behind that...bad tipper??? 😅🤣😂🤣😅

Actually...I'm an outrageous tipper...(my wife would kill me if she ever knew the truth)...no this was a jealousy issue...told one stripper..(who thought she had me locked down for the night )..that i thought another stripper was the most gorgeous woman I ever saw...long story short..my truck ended up with a free drink...thank god the cup was plastic...

 

[AeroF16]

Where are these car washes with strippers and why didn't I think of that?

 

[1971demon]

Where are these car washes with strippers and why didn't I think of that?

Head in the clouds..

 

[Hemidayz]

Sort of leaked but kept a majority of the water out.