Should I wash my car right after a long trip?
Washing your car while the engine is still hot will have a negative impact on the car's parts.
When the car has just traveled a long distance, parts such as the engine, engine compartment, air conditioner condenser, chassis and brake system are very hot. Spraying water immediately will cause the hot metal parts to suddenly cool, causing shrinkage and deformation of the metal, which will damage these parts in the long run. Therefore, experts recommend not washing the car immediately after returning from a long trip when the engine is still hot.
Harmful effects of washing the car while the engine is still hot
Washing your car while the engine is still hot can cause some of the following harmful effects:
Causes damage to engine parts such as cylinders, exhaust pipes, brakes, etc.
Some parts crack or break due to sudden temperature changes from hot to cold.
If more serious, it will cause phenomena such as louder engine sound, abnormal engine temperature and can damage the cooling system causing water to overflow into the engine, which is extremely dangerous.
How to wash your car when the engine is still hot
Step 1: Park the car in the shade and wait 5-10 minutes for the engine to cool.
Step 2: If you don't have time to wait, wash your car by spraying both wheels after driving, spraying the front of the car first, then rinsing the engine.
Step 3: Choose the appropriate water pressure and flow when spraying, do not use too strong a water jet.
In short, do not wash your car when the engine is hot, wait until it has cooled down completely. If you need to wash your car urgently, turn on a large fan to help cool the engine quickly.