Comments on: I Purposely Drive In Heavy Rain To Get A Free Car Wash http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/ Personal Finance Beyond Credit Cards and Balance Transfers Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:56:44 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: David - a nudist http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-90921 David - a nudist Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:20:37 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-90921 I don't know if "David" from June 29, 2008 at 1:06 am is me or not, but in case he is, I have to add this. Driving through heavy rain may seem like a good car wash, but it's not safe. Heavy rain can lead to flooding and, if you're not careful, you can be washed away and possibly killed. Most people who die in floods are those that take unnecessary risks by purposely driving through flooded roads. And, floods kill a lot of people...more than lightning and tornadoes. Remember, just two feet of water can pick up any vehicle and take it down-stream. That's when it becomes dangerous and potentially deadly for people inside their vehicles. Plus, when driving through heavy rain, visibility drops dramatically and you may not be able to see where you're going. This, too, can be dangerous and potentially deadly since it can result in a crash. So, be careful with severe weather and heavy rain. If you want to drive in a moderate shower with moderate rain, fine. But, watch out for blinding downpours and flooding conditions. One of the big mistakes people make is they underestimate the depth of the water when they come to a flooded roadway. The road underneath the water could be washed out, which makes the water deeper than they think it is. And, that's why flooding is extremely dangerous. So, be smart, use common sense, and be safe. That is all I have to say. I don’t know if “David” from June 29, 2008 at 1:06 am is me or not, but in case he is, I have to add this. Driving through heavy rain may seem like a good car wash, but it’s not safe. Heavy rain can lead to flooding and, if you’re not careful, you can be washed away and possibly killed. Most people who die in floods are those that take unnecessary risks by purposely driving through flooded roads. And, floods kill a lot of people…more than lightning and tornadoes. Remember, just two feet of water can pick up any vehicle and take it down-stream. That’s when it becomes dangerous and potentially deadly for people inside their vehicles. Plus, when driving through heavy rain, visibility drops dramatically and you may not be able to see where you’re going. This, too, can be dangerous and potentially deadly since it can result in a crash. So, be careful with severe weather and heavy rain. If you want to drive in a moderate shower with moderate rain, fine. But, watch out for blinding downpours and flooding conditions. One of the big mistakes people make is they underestimate the depth of the water when they come to a flooded roadway. The road underneath the water could be washed out, which makes the water deeper than they think it is. And, that’s why flooding is extremely dangerous. So, be smart, use common sense, and be safe. That is all I have to say.

]]> By: Charlie B. http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-80934 Charlie B. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:18:32 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-80934 I like your point. It's not just about saving money, it's about saving water too. The planet thanks you. I like your point. It’s not just about saving money, it’s about saving water too.

The planet thanks you.

]]> By: Dawn http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-72820 Dawn Sun, 24 May 2009 22:20:53 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-72820 So, let me get this straight. You actually put on your pants, leave your home, and purposely hop into your car during the start of a rain storm JUST to save $10-15 on a car wash? Now that is the pinnacle of cheapness in my opinion. For God sakes man, pay that $10-15 or even $20 and get your poor car a decent car wash and thorough scrubbing. There is no way a random thundershower, no matter how powerful or forceful, can equal the same results as a good old fashioned car wash. Besides, these days, you can pay $4 or less to use one of those cheap do it your self car-washing water jet blasters. They come with soap dispensers and brushes for a truly thorough wash. Do this during Spring or Summer and you'll get a work out in the process. The other commentators are right....clean your car's body thoroughly or risk future permanent damage to the paint job from acid rain, salt crystals, or dirty grime...or worse. And stop this frugality madness :) So, let me get this straight. You actually put on your pants, leave your home, and purposely hop into your car during the start of a rain storm JUST to save $10-15 on a car wash? Now that is the pinnacle of cheapness in my opinion. For God sakes man, pay that $10-15 or even $20 and get your poor car a decent car wash and thorough scrubbing. There is no way a random thundershower, no matter how powerful or forceful, can equal the same results as a good old fashioned car wash.

Besides, these days, you can pay $4 or less to use one of those cheap do it your self car-washing water jet blasters. They come with soap dispensers and brushes for a truly thorough wash. Do this during Spring or Summer and you’ll get a work out in the process.

The other commentators are right….clean your car’s body thoroughly or risk future permanent damage to the paint job from acid rain, salt crystals, or dirty grime…or worse.

And stop this frugality madness :)

]]> By: Kevin C http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-39128 Kevin C Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:07:19 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-39128 Rain and snow contain acids that eat away at the paint and finish of vehicles. After acid rain falls on a vehicle, the water evaporates, but the acid remains. Concentrated by sunlight, this acid can become so strong that it will eat through the finish, ruining the vehicle's paint and appearance. When rain or snow falls it can capture environmental pollutants from factory, automobile and truck exhaust. The water has a low ph reading (acidic). The sun heats and evaporates the water but leaves behind concentrated acid spots which cannot be removed. When your car is dirty, your vehicles surface is holding all kinds of dirt particles, contaminants and road grime. Mix this with water and you have CEMENT. Whatever is water soluble mixes with other particles and new paint problems are born. Rain WILL NOT clean these particles off of your car. Rain and snow contain acids that eat away at the paint and finish of vehicles. After acid rain falls on a vehicle, the water evaporates, but the acid remains. Concentrated by sunlight, this acid can become so strong that it will eat through the finish, ruining the vehicle’s paint and appearance.
When rain or snow falls it can capture environmental pollutants from factory, automobile and truck exhaust. The water has a low ph reading (acidic). The sun heats and evaporates the water but leaves behind concentrated acid spots which cannot be removed.
When your car is dirty, your vehicles surface is holding all kinds of dirt particles, contaminants and road grime. Mix this with water and you have CEMENT. Whatever is water soluble mixes with other particles and new paint problems are born. Rain WILL NOT clean these particles off of your car.

]]> By: P Kann http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-37607 P Kann Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:23:57 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-37607 I have done this for 10yrs. My car is parked outside. When rain stops I go out, give it a soapy wash, pour a bucket of water to rinse off suds. That is it. When rain stops for good (sometimes in 2days), I go, dry and buff! This is the way I always did in tropics, where it rains! Makes sense, save water. soap suds washed off in drainage, no chemical damage to environ. Sometimes, I get drenched as rain picks up! Thx. P I have done this for 10yrs. My car is parked outside. When rain stops I go out, give it a soapy wash, pour a bucket of water to rinse off suds. That is it. When rain stops for good (sometimes in 2days), I go, dry and buff! This is the way I always did in tropics, where it rains! Makes sense, save water. soap suds washed off in drainage, no chemical damage to environ. Sometimes, I get drenched as rain picks up! Thx. P

]]> By: Raymond http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-19287 Raymond Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:17:35 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-19287 David, The funny thing is...back when I had outdoor parking, I did seriously contemplate breaking into my swimming trunks, and going out to my car shirtless during a pending rainstorm to scrub my car down real good with a sponge and liquid soap. But at the end I figured that was going too extreme! David,

The funny thing is…back when I had outdoor parking, I did seriously contemplate breaking into my swimming trunks, and going out to my car shirtless during a pending rainstorm to scrub my car down real good with a sponge and liquid soap. But at the end I figured that was going too extreme!

]]> By: David http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-19222 David Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:06:28 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-19222 Hmmm...I never considered purposely driving my car through a heavy thunderstorm or rainstorm before. If I'm already on the road going from point A to point B and a storm suddenly shows up and pours, that's one thing. But, actually deliberately waiting for a storm to drive in...never occurred to me before. I'm not against it. It just hasn't occurred to me to do that. Then again, my car is parked in an outside driveway so when it does rain, I guess it gets its "car wash". This article did make me think of something. What if before a storm hits, I could scrub soap on my car and then, let the rain pour down on it? Now that would be a real "car wash", lol! Hmmm…I never considered purposely driving my car through a heavy thunderstorm or rainstorm before. If I’m already on the road going from point A to point B and a storm suddenly shows up and pours, that’s one thing. But, actually deliberately waiting for a storm to drive in…never occurred to me before. I’m not against it. It just hasn’t occurred to me to do that. Then again, my car is parked in an outside driveway so when it does rain, I guess it gets its “car wash”. This article did make me think of something. What if before a storm hits, I could scrub soap on my car and then, let the rain pour down on it? Now that would be a real “car wash”, lol!

]]> By: komodo dragon http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-16542 komodo dragon Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:26:04 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-16542 this is a funny post, the tittle in fact captivated me to read further. Its amazing how far people can go with their frugality! this is a funny post, the tittle in fact captivated me to read further. Its amazing how far people can go with their frugality!

]]> By: debt consolidation unsecured http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-16526 debt consolidation unsecured Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:30:22 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-16526 Your chronicle having to drive for a car wash across the rainy city made me evoke that GoDaddy's commercial of a man stopping in a very hot fueling station. Gas and car washes are indeed recurring expenses but anecdotes like yours remind us that we are wasting time and money due to inertia expecting others do what we can too! Your chronicle having to drive for a car wash across the rainy city made me evoke that GoDaddy’s commercial of a man stopping in a very hot fueling station.

Gas and car washes are indeed recurring expenses but anecdotes like yours remind us that we are wasting time and money due to inertia expecting others do what we can too!

]]> By: Mimoji http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-16517 Mimoji Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:15:44 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-16517 Bad idea - look at your car closely and you'll see streaks of raindrops on it. You're trading one kind of dirty car for another. Bad idea – look at your car closely and you’ll see streaks of raindrops on it. You’re trading one kind of dirty car for another.

]]> By: Michele http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-16379 Michele Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:09:57 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-16379 I have a 2005 Mazda and my dealer washes it for free. Not just when I have service done, but any time I wish. I bring the car in, ask if they have time to give it a wash and usually within 20 mins its done. The only downside is that I have to get it done when they are open, which limits the time available to get it done. I have a 2005 Mazda and my dealer washes it for free. Not just when I have service done, but any time I wish. I bring the car in, ask if they have time to give it a wash and usually within 20 mins its done. The only downside is that I have to get it done when they are open, which limits the time available to get it done.

]]> By: Raymond http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-16343 Raymond Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:42:45 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-16343 Well guys, It's definitely not exactly the most brilliant or cost-effective way to save money, but it's just one of a few frugal/cheap things I do. Not sure I really save all that much individually - but it's just one of many things I do that combine into aggregate savings over time. When I used to live in an apartment complex with only outdoor parking, my car was kept perpetually clean by all the natural rainfall received. Now that my car is kept inside a reserved indoor parking garage, it's kept away from the harsh winter and summer elements, but it doesn't get the benefit of that natural spray cleaning. Well guys,

It’s definitely not exactly the most brilliant or cost-effective way to save money, but it’s just one of a few frugal/cheap things I do. Not sure I really save all that much individually – but it’s just one of many things I do that combine into aggregate savings over time.

When I used to live in an apartment complex with only outdoor parking, my car was kept perpetually clean by all the natural rainfall received. Now that my car is kept inside a reserved indoor parking garage, it’s kept away from the harsh winter and summer elements, but it doesn’t get the benefit of that natural spray cleaning.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-16340 Mrs. Micah Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:47:23 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-16340 We are fortunate enough to park outside. But I must say, driving during that particular thunderstorm seems like a bad idea to me. It knocked out a number of traffic lights around here, which combined with the torrential sheets of rain (again, in my part of town), made things extremely scary. I had to get home from work and waited a half hour but it was still bad--lights, rain, etc. It's not a bad idea, anyway. In a medium rain a quick run out to the grocery store for staples could be useful and still safe enough. We are fortunate enough to park outside. But I must say, driving during that particular thunderstorm seems like a bad idea to me. It knocked out a number of traffic lights around here, which combined with the torrential sheets of rain (again, in my part of town), made things extremely scary. I had to get home from work and waited a half hour but it was still bad–lights, rain, etc.

It’s not a bad idea, anyway. In a medium rain a quick run out to the grocery store for staples could be useful and still safe enough.

]]> By: fivecentnickel.com http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-16315 fivecentnickel.com Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:32:41 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-16315 How much do you really save by doing this? A rain shower is the rough equivalent of a really, really, really bad car wash. I usually go to those self-serve car washes when I happen to be near one and need a wash. I hardly spend anything at all and the results are far better than any rainstorm. Of course, we've been in an epic drought so I haven't been washing the car at all for the past year or so. I just leave it out in the driveway where it catches rain without me driving it at all. How much do you really save by doing this? A rain shower is the rough equivalent of a really, really, really bad car wash. I usually go to those self-serve car washes when I happen to be near one and need a wash. I hardly spend anything at all and the results are far better than any rainstorm. Of course, we’ve been in an epic drought so I haven’t been washing the car at all for the past year or so. I just leave it out in the driveway where it catches rain without me driving it at all.

]]> By: Raymond http://www.moneybluebook.com/i-purposely-drive-in-heavy-rain-to-get-a-free-car-wash/comment-page-1/#comment-16295 Raymond Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:58:22 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/?p=518#comment-16295 Norak, I personally have no real shame displaying my so-called unattractive car. I'm the same guy who drove around with an unsightly plastic tape covered rear side window when some car thief broke into my former old car when I was in grad school. It certainly didn't impress the girl I was going out with at the time, but I made up for it in other more financially generous ways. As for purposely driving my car around during a rain storm, I usually just make an effort to come up with an errand objective. Sure the errand could probably wait, but the rain storm won't! The more powerful the thunderstorm, the better it cleans :) As much as I am against spending tons of money on car washes, it probably is a good idea to wash the car on occasion (whether paid or free). "Bird poo" so to speak is pretty toxic and corrosive on the paint job over the years if it has the opportunity to harden into a diamond like encrustation. Norak,

I personally have no real shame displaying my so-called unattractive car. I’m the same guy who drove around with an unsightly plastic tape covered rear side window when some car thief broke into my former old car when I was in grad school. It certainly didn’t impress the girl I was going out with at the time, but I made up for it in other more financially generous ways.

As for purposely driving my car around during a rain storm, I usually just make an effort to come up with an errand objective. Sure the errand could probably wait, but the rain storm won’t! The more powerful the thunderstorm, the better it cleans :)

As much as I am against spending tons of money on car washes, it probably is a good idea to wash the car on occasion (whether paid or free). “Bird poo” so to speak is pretty toxic and corrosive on the paint job over the years if it has the opportunity to harden into a diamond like encrustation.

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