Undercarriage Pressure Wash. Dangerous?

[ILLCOMM]

The new "brine" solution they are putting on the roads is awful smelling. Regardless of the smell, and like salt, I am anxious to get it off my car because it of its corrosive nature. This is my first Tesla, or EV with a battery pack in the floor pan.

I've always considered getting this: Ultimate Washer UW11-PW6521 Undercarriage Cleaner, 16-Inch, 4000 PSI

Any concern about pressure washing the underbelly of a Tesla? If not, I am going to go ahead and purchase.

 

[ahkahn]

No issue. The bottom of a Tesla is solid, flat, and hard as a rock.

 

[mrElbe]

Yes, that "brine" stuff is deadly. Matter of fact after 3 winters it corroded the 3 electric steering motor bolts off in my car and the motor fell off. Cost of a new steering rack out of warranty is not cheap.

 

[ahkahn]

Yes, that "brine" stuff is deadly. Matter of fact after 3 winters it corroded the 3 electric steering motor bolts off in my car and the motor fell off. Cost of a new steering rack out of warranty is not cheap.

Your Tesla?!?!

 

[mrElbe]

Yes, my Tesla.

 

[ILLCOMM]

Yes, my Tesla.

This is what I am worried about!

 

[SilkySmooth]

No issue. The bottom of a Tesla is solid, flat, and hard as a rock.

View attachment 265934

I wonder how solid the bottom is. If you run over something like an animal and don't do any body damage, how does the battery hold up?

 

[jaguar36]

I wonder how solid the bottom is. If you run over something like an animal and don't do any body damage, how does the battery hold up?

There is a titanium shield at the front of the battery specifically to prevent damage to it from things like trailer hitches.

 

[Chaserr]

I wonder how solid the bottom is. If you run over something like an animal and don't do any body damage, how does the battery hold up?

Don't go driving on things to test this.

 

[SilkySmooth]

By now someone else must have tested this for me already.

 

[TorqueIt]

To resurrect an old thread--I damaged the undercarriage pan that goes between the front wheels and the battery. The pan is a plastic piece that's circled in the attached image. It is "bent" length wise, likely from me backing up the car over the hard packed snow that was up to the height of the undercarriage.

Could I just go to my local mechanic and get it screwed back on, even though the plastic is bent/folded? If the screw holes are torn, I suppose a washer could be used. I won't be driving the car over heavy snow anymore!

See first image. Red circle is the part of the pan that's "bent" downwards. Green arrows are where I suspect the snow caught onto the pan and pulled it down.

2nd image is the actual damage, looking at it from the front of the vehicle.

 

[DerbyDave]

I'd get it repaired ASAP. The piece, if damaged, can be ordered through Tesla. It should not be very expensive. There is a major junction box for the battery down there somewhere with a cover and seals. Normal water splash from roads has seeped in and caused corrosion requiring replacement of the battery for at least 2 of the TMC members. The owners have claimed only driving in the rain or snow caused the damage. Tesla claims the battery was flooded. Use your account to go to the Tesla Parts Catalog and then order the part using the App, Service, Other - specify Parts Only, and then list part numbers and descriptions.

 

[Sambub]

I’ve been using car wash undercarriage/ lower side panel wash constantly this winter. No issues.

 

[DerbyDave]

I’ve been using car wash undercarriage/ lower side panel wash constantly this winter. No issues.

This is an old thread, but @TorqueIt revived the thread and had a specific question about a damaged under panel cover, not about car wash.

 

[KalJoMoS]

On the photo it does appear that the only damage is the braking of the plastic clips and panel bent backwards. If your mechanic can put new clips in and will not make any amendments not supposed to be there then I would try to fix this existing one. If there is to much damages to the pan then get new one from Tesla as @DerbyDave has pointed out.

 

[TorqueIt]

Quick update that I got an estimate from Tesla for about $600 taxes in. $40 for labour and about $220 for the undercarriage shield, and $270 for the front under-bumper pan/shield. I questioned why the latter part was included in the quote since it seemed to be fine. They said the pieces connected to each other and when I pushed further, they said they would have to inspect it on the day.

I booked the appointment but in the meantime went to a local EV specialist store. They charged me just a diagnostic fee (under $100) and were able to repair the undercarriage shield that was sagging. They used some new hardware (screws/washers I'm assuming) and used a heat gun to ease some of the sagging.

So all is well, and I learned a lesson to stay home during heavy snow.

I will mention that I really despise the way that Tesla and car dealerships want to replace everything instead of seeing if a repair could be done first. I understand why they do it, but that doesn't mean I can't be unhappy about it. The communication from Tesla is lacking as well ever since they made it increasingly difficult to speak to a human being on the phone.

 

[TorqueIt]

And just to respond to the OP topic, I have been taking my S and 3 through undercarriage pressure washes for years, without any issues. I tend to only do it in the winters, and maybe only once a month for each vehicle, when they get really dirty. I go to the Petro-Canada Glide touchless washes.

 

[ay221]

I've been using that underwash tool for years and started when I got my new 2022 Model 3. Since my pressure washer is 1600 PSI, that is the max it will do. I'm using it in summer too, just to keep it clean. Only adds about 5 minutes extra to do so.