[rant on]
Situation: Earlier this week I brought my car to the dealership to get some work done. I specifically asked them NOT to wash my car. Actually, pointed it out 2 or 3 times. Why you might ask? Well my paint is pretty nice and for the most part free of ‘swirls’ – just didn’t want anyone scrubbing my pain with a dirty towel.

Well later in the day I pick up my car and guess what – yup they had washed it. And yup, now my car has tons of swirl marks

I know it’s pretty minor – but upsetting none the less.

Am I the only one that requests dealerships NOT to wash their car? I actually rarely go to the dealership, but in this case I had to get some warranty work done..
[/rant off]

 

first ask yourself one question


why would you go to a dealership

 

Dang, that sucks man. I'm guessing your car is black?

This is one nice thing about silver cars (as mine is silver) since you can't see swirls as easily as like a black car or something. I usually let them wash it, but I have had a bad experience at Santa Cruz Subaru washing my car. The place they take the car to, put a bad mixture in, and the liquid dried in my engine bay and there was white crap that would NOT come off. I had to take it back and they had to replace basically every piece of plastic that wasn't a clip with a new one.

 

Like I said, I usually NEVER go to dealerships - but I went in simply so they could do the ABS safety recall work on my car.

 

my Car is blue...

 

My car's steering wheel has been slightly off since i bought it....wouldn't I need to go to a dealership to get this done under warranty?

Also they're saying that they re-torque some suspension bolts around 7.5k...is this bs? This is santa cruz subaru telling me this....

thanks

 

I have had the same problem with Carlsen Subaru and Concord BMW, They must use the worst towels to dry the cars with. Swirl marks every where.
I fixed the problem by posting a note inside the car (english and Spanish). Do not wash this car and drive at an angle through driveways. (car is real low).
That seemed to fix everything. Try it if you ever have to take it to a dealership.

 

yea, I usually request that they not wash my car too....however, there are ALOT of really good waxes and swirl removers out there that should clean the car right up, I use Meguires Gold Class on my car FYI....I know its a PITA esp. since you told them several times NOT to wash it....but hey, thats the dealerships for ya. Your baby will be ok....just give it some good wax, TLC, and a big hug and kiss, it'll be just fine in no time. :-)

-Ted

 

Just asking since black always shows swirls the most.



Do you mean, if you stick the wheel where it should be going straight it goes slightly in a different direction? If so, that's just alignment and do not need to take it to a dealership for that.

 

Acadian, just out of curiosity, which dealer did you go to?

Musashi, it could be the alignment as stated abouve. But if your car drives straight and does not pull one way or another, yet your steering wheel is off center, that is known as 'memory steer'. You could get it done under warranty, but I'd go ahead and upgrade my steering rack bushings to Whitelines or something similar. If you have the dealer put back the stock rubber ones, it's bound to happen again down the road. Plus, the Whitelines are only $30 and alittle elbow grease, and it will make your turn-in quicker and your steering wheel snap back to center faster.

 

This is more than likely an alignment issue. I had the same problem. Definately don't take it to the dealership for alignment. They will just screw it up worse. If you are anywhere near Milpitas, take it to Auto Innovations. They fixed the bad alignment the dealership made worse and AI cost less than the dealership!

 

Subaru of SC

 

Well it was really nice of them for washing the car, but I feel your pain same thing happened on my 05 tahoe you should come see some real swirls..

 

thanks WRBlueGirl and slvrsubywgn...i am actually near auto innovations and probably going to go there...doesn't seem like there' much reason to go down to santa cruz for this...

slvr - you nailed it...the wheel is not dead on center but it does drive straight - no pulling or anything. Thanks guys

edit: BTW, I've got an 05 wrx and i thought that you couldn't switch out the steering rack bushings on the 05 wrx's?

 

AI might be closed dring the SEMA show...

BTW...anyone can recommend a good detailer? I had my car detailed once by Fanker - not sure is he still does detailing since it was back in 2003