Very few of us get out and inspect our vehicles after we go through the car wash. So how can we be sure it’s actually getting all those nooks and crannies? One Philadelphia man says he doesn’t believe that a car wash in his area actually cleans the undercarriage—even though it advertises this service. TikTok creator @tiktacboom4 says he believes the car wash is charging customers for a perk they simply can’t provide. So he came up with a scheme to figure out whether his suspicions were true. Undercarriage Car Wash Scam? “So I just went through a car wash here in South Philly … it’s $5 for the basic wash. And then $10 for this, $15 for the best. Some of them say undercarriage. Which I think is BS. I don’t think it washes the underneath of your car, sprays water or anything. So, I know that the 2025 Ford Bronco, the new ones, have cameras underneath the cars,” he says. Following this, he asks if anyone with a vehicle that’s outfitted with undercarriage cameras can confirm whether or not the car wash he’s speaking of actually performs an undercarriage wash. “Let me know if it actually does anything to the undercarriage of the car when you go through it,” he says. “I’m dying to know if they actually wash the undercarriage or if it’s just a scam and they’re taking your money,” he says before his video comes to a close. At least one person shares his suspicions. “I’ve been thinking the same,” Mannyz wrote. A second defended the wash, sort of. “They 100% spray high pressure water underneath the car, I wouldn’t really call it cleaning it though,” Joey C said. It's not clear if anyone took him up on his request to use their vehicle's cameras to find out if the wash actually does get the undercarriage. Do You Need To Wash Your Car’s Undercarriage? According to How Stuff Works, regular car washes can go a long way in not only maintaining your vehicle’s aesthetic appearance, but preserving its exterior as well. How Stuff Works reports that, as a general rule of thumb, cars should be washed every two weeks or so, longer if you par inside a garage. How Stuff Works also notes that one of the biggest culprits in rust and metallic corrosions is salt. So if you live near the ocean, or drive on salted roads, you may want to clean your whip more often. Additionally, things like dead bugs and tree sap shouldn’t be left to fester on a car, as these can cause long term paint and/or window damage. The same goes for bird droppings, which the outlet reports can be “acidic enough to eat through your car’s paint job.” As for undercarriage washes, Consumer Reports recommends that bottom-up washes should be conducted at least once per season for most drivers. Those who off-road, drive on unpaved or salt-treated roads may want to wash their undercarriage more frequently, as leaving detritus there can cause long-term damage. Can You Wash Your Undercarriage Yourself? If you don’t want to pay for it or simply don’t trust a car wash to thoroughly clean your car’s undercarriage, then you can wash it yourself. Utilizing a low-pressure (1,500 PSI or lower) can remove grime from your car without damaging any critical components. Stronger pressure washers with adjustable PSIs can work as well. AutoZone has a list of products you can use to wash the undercarriage. In a separate write-up, How Stuff Works recommends DIY undercarriage cleaners to “consider lifting … vehicle[s] with jacks or ramps” prior to washing. If you want to really go the extra mile, you can remove the tires to get better access. This also allows you to inspect the “brake and fuel lines for signs of corrosion,” as these “tend to rust the fastest.” Once your surfaces are clean, spraying some WD-40 can add an extra layer of protection on components to help prevent dirt and particulates from sticking. Or you can just do it the easy way and go through a car wash that has an undercarriage cleaner, which sprays water and detergents from beneath the vehicle—provided you’re sure it has this function and isn’t simply advertising it. If you’re not certain, take a peak: if it has water lines mounted to the floor and pointed upwards, then it’s almost certainly capable of cleaning your undercarriage. Motor1 has reached out to @ticktacboom4 via TikTok direct message for further comment. We’ll update this if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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