So, I just thought I'd get some feedback from you people here regarding this topic. Recently, I had a disagreement with someone, when I told them I didn't think they were taking good enough care of their car, since they had not washed it once after having it for 4 months (I washed it for them once while I did mine). They argued that the inside was kept clean, the oil was being changed, and they were taking good care of it.

I know that not everyone washes their car every week like I do, and that not everyone scrubs down their wheels all the time like I do. But I think it's not unreasonable to say that it is a basic part of taking care of your car.

So, do you consider washing your car a critical part of what you would consider to be good car maintenance?

not washing your car but keeping the interior clean is like eating healthy and exercising every day but never taking a shower. You might feel good on the outside but you no one wants to be near you.

Yes, same with waxing, vacuuming, etc imo

A couple times a week for me. Yes it is maintenance, because your maintaning the exterior.

If you don't wash the car, then your paint goes to shit, and esp on the the coast, surface rust will start in and work down to your frame. Then you are fu*&ed! Same deal with washing salt off after a snow as washing the salt in the air off from being near the water.

There is a car parked in my job's lot every day that has the back windshield and trunk literally COVERED with bird crap, as well as a layer of dust and dirt thick enough for me to measure with a yard stick. It is clear they never use their mirrors and never bother to even glance at the back of their car.

Besides the mind boggling lack of care of appearance and cleanliness, I shudder to think of what that crap is doing to the paint surface beneath, eating away at it and then the primer, the metal, exposing to rust, etc...

No reason for it.

You clean your refrigerator. Even if your car is an appliance, CLEAN IT!

gross! I dont blaim my sister for not cleaning her black civic but once a month since she lives on a dirt road. But god damn that sounds horrible! Doesn't surprise me that some people don't use their mirrors. *shudders*

This is my car wash maintenance technician.

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/photopost/data/3175/medium/t52.jpg

I wash my Camry once every three months or so. You should look at the l33t peeling paint on it. The sad part is that it's only an 04.

I work at a paint shop for a body shop and you can simply wipe off the brake dust off most cars with the bottom of your shoes. Even that is not done.

We have sealants today that last 6 months easily.

With protection like that, it is really a matter of personal taste how often to wash.

Shiny cars and shiny wheels, I have realized, is for people who are too self conscious and too poor and feel they have to put on a show.

It is a good idea to clean the glass every so often to maintain visibility; other than that it is just a matter of whether you have better things to do or not.

We have sealants today that last 6 months easily.

With protection like that, it is really a matter of personal taste how often to wash.

Shiny cars and shiny wheels, I have realized, is for people who are too self conscious and too poor and feel they have to put on a show.

It is a good idea to clean the glass every so often to maintain visibility; other than that it is just a matter of whether you have better things to do or not.

Damn, if that is your POV, I'd hate to see your car

Yeah, and maybe if people actually took pride in everything they have/do/are, then we wouldn't have so many fat, nasty, dirty people driving rustbucket pintos and hurting my eyes.

I can't do every week...it rains and ruins it and it also dusts all over it. Waste of time/money, sadly. I do it once to twice a month.

Thanks for all the feedback. What really blows me away is that the other day, after I finally brought it up, she drove half hour each way to one of those pay and spray places, instead of just bringing it over to the wash bay (where I was already washing my car), spraying it down, rubbing a soapy sponge over it and spraying it down again. Washing by hand is "too much of a pain in the ass", even though it would have taken literally 10 minutes (it's a 2 door Civic), but somehow driving an hour total for a pay and spray is just so convenient?!

I don't expect her to be anal about cleaning her car like I am, but I would think buying a nice car, especially after the piece of junk Neon she used to have, would have inspired her to take better care of it.

It was recently in a parking lot fender bender (responsible person never came forward, even though it was someone in our building!) and she really wants to get it fixed. But I told her I don't think it's worth $400 to fix it when she clearly doesn't give a shit about the exterior of the car. I REALLY got in trouble for that!

I recently ordered a Mr. Clean system, so maybe she'll be willing to use that at least.

hell yeah its basic maintenance!

^I was wondering where you have been

Where's the "Yes, everyday" option? :p:

:mdrmed:

yes it is. at least twice a week for me lol on all my cars too ;)

I almost didn't go to the bar tonite because I heard thunder lol. :p:

^I was wondering where you have been

im around...been busy at work, got home and got stuck on CS

im around...been busy at work, got home and got stuck on CS

You mean you are actually doing work these days? Sux dude, I am still hiding from my boss.

no work on the 4th, so everything piled up...i should be whoring more tomorrow :yesnod:

im tryin to hit 5k before sevenstock

^Your mother would be proud!!!

if she only knew

I completly agree that washing your car is basic maintenance! When you wash your car it's an opportunity for you to check out the body and even under the hood. I've spotted a lot of issues with my vehicles when I was washing it. You'll notice scratches or any signs of damage that might have been caused by others.

But beyond the functional aspects...how about simply having pride in your vehicle OR got forbid actually respecting the things you own? While I've only been at my new place for about 3 weeks, I make a point of cleaning the car and the garage at least once a week. Hell, my tools are also kept clean to ensure they last and work when I need them.

There is a sector of people out there who don't care about the condition of their car until it stops working. Then suddenly they scramble to get it fixed and get all upset when the bills mount for repairs. In places with snow and salt it's even more critical to keep your car washed. I used to go to an automatic wash with my previous vehicle once a week to get the underside washed off.

The only bummer for me is owning the fastest color of all RX8's (that's brilliant black BTW) it's a constant battle against dirt and dust.

You don't need to detail the car every week (wash, polish, wax etc) but please at least hose the damned thing off!

Yes, it absolutely is basic maintenance.
Do I expect everyone to be as OCD about it as me? NO, but as F.W. said; have some damn respect for your belongings.

I've always said that how someone maintains their car says A LOT about them...

Yes, it absolutely is basic maintenance.
Do I expect everyone to be as OCD about it as me? NO, but as F.W. said; have some damn respect for your belongings.

I've always said that how someone maintains their car says A LOT about them...

I agree. If someone can't even take care of their car, how can they take care of any other aspect of their life well? When I see a car driving down the road that seems neglected, it tells alot about that persons character.

^ Yeah, when I see a dirty nasty car driving around in San Antonio, I immediately make the connection that their apathy applies to more than just the car. Ew!

My babe is washing it now.

tree sap pollen etc harms the paint. need to keep her clean.

It's absolutely basic maintenance. I try to wash/vacuum mine every week as much as possible, failing that every other week for sure. Clay at least once a month (more if necessary), polish and wax twice a year.

I clean my car weekly Exterior/interior. Keep everything looking nice. Car Care 101 A Must!