Washing a Prius III - not my idea of fun

The SKS apparently shuts itself off after 5 days, so it may not be a big deal.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...8-how-long-can-i-park-airport.html#post920003

 

No problem (more info):

"In the following circumstances, the entry function is disabled in order to prevent the vehicle battery from discharging and electronic key battery from depleting.
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]l [/FONT][/FONT]When the entry function has not been used for 5 days or more
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]l [/FONT][/FONT]When the electronic key has been left within approximately 6 ft. (2 m) of the vehicle for 10 minutes or more
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]l [/FONT][/FONT]If the entry function has not been used for 9 days or more, the vehicle cannot be unlocked by a door other than the driver’s door. To unlock the vehicle, grip the driver’s door handle or use the wireless remote control or the mechanical key.

The system will resume operation when...
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]l [/FONT][/FONT]The vehicle is locked touching the door handle lock sensor area.
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]l [/FONT][/FONT]The vehicle is locked/unlocked using the wireless remote control function (→P. 63) or the mechanical key. (→P. 533)"

 

Drying with a leaf blower

This weekend was the first time I had a chance to try out my newly purchased Toro Ultra Leaf Blower. It was a lot easier than towel drying, but I think it would work even better if the nozzle were shorter and not as narrow. The length makes it hard for me manage and the narrowness concentrates the air flow too much. I realize that drying the car is not the primary purpose of a leaf blower, but it seems that enough people do use them to do this that there would be a modified nozzle available. Well...maybe there is. I need to check out the Toro website .

This particular model has a continuously variable speed adjustment up to 235mph maximum. The variable speed is great, which is the main reason I got this one as opposed to a cheaper model.

I do need to work on technique. For example, it probably makes more sense to blow downwards rather than upwards, but again, because of the dimensions of the equipment and my vertically challenged stature that's really hard for me to do.

Any tips from experienced Prius blow driers?

 

I start on the roof and blow from the middle to the front down over the hood area and the middle to the back down over the hatch area then down each side and this seems to work for me the best. I always make sure to give a good blow in all the door/ hood / hatch seams to clean them out also. The secret seems to always be blowing down.

PS ya the blower could use a shorter tube but not sure what that would do to air flow. The speed control is nice but i just run mine at max LOL

 

Thanks...I think I will need to also buy a pair of stilts so I can blow downwards from the roof ! I'll just have to use my little stepladder for now.

Yes, it was great for getting the leaves that fall into the edges of the hatch -- that's always been a problem.

I wouldn't think that a shorter tube would have detrimental effect on air flow. Since I checked on the website and don't see any shorter tubes or other accessories, the only way I can think of doing this is to buy an extra tube and actually cut it shorter.

 

Hmmm i just removed the nozzle on mine to see what air flow was. Pretty strong but until i wash car again won't know how well it works.

 

What brand/model do you have?

I don't think mine will work without the tube. The tube has to be in place in order to put the cover on over the metal impellor.

 

Same one you have "Toro Ultra".

You can take the tube off and still hook the bottom plate on and put a wrap of tape or wire tie around the front part where the tube slips in.

 

Okay -- thanks. I tried that (put a heavy rubber band over the front to keep the cover in place) and it seems to work. Used it to blow a few leaves off the car, but probably having the tube is better for that. I will see how well it works for drying next time I wash the car.

Did somebody say washing the car wasn't fun??!!

 

please remove all rings, watches , and belts before you start cleaning.


spray all black plastic with tire foam to prevent white hazing.

 

OK Leadfoot. After I was any of my cars, They are not dried by hand with chamois or cotton towels. I use a leaf blower. When one take his car to a car wash, especially a touchless car wash, it is dried with commercial blowers. That usually does a good job.
The gas powered leaf blower that I use is light weight and does the job perfectly. You have to be on cement or black top or hard top to do this otherwise you will encounter some big problems. Always start at the top and work down, I so the roof then the windows, windshield and hatch window. doors , start at the botom of the window blowing down to the rocker panels Hood and front fenders and front end. Just think what will be the best possible way. Remember to keep the blower behind where you want the water to go. It is important that your cars finish is well waxed or treated. I use Zaino products for about 12 years and I never have issues.

I don't quite understand why you would remove the plastic caps? The brake dust can be blown our ( 95%) by the water hose. just wash the hub caps clean.
I think the factory rims under those caps, are good looking, the only thing I would do is get center caps and forget about those plastic caps.I don't know why Toyota did that trick in the first place.

 

No worries about scratching here. I just wear flip flops when washing the car.

 

Don't use the same leaf blower as you use to clean your pellet stove though...the residual ash will make a mess of your nicely washed car!! and I leave the wheel covers on as they add at least 1+ MPG...more's the better!!

 

I don't recommend driving around to blow off excess water: Road dirt and dust will shurly kick up and stick to the wet areas, and a lot of the water will just evaporate, rather than blow off.

There is a difference between blowing the water "off" the car, or the air causing water "evaporation". Evaporation will leave hard water stains.

I personally have had good results using the Mr. Clean "autodry" system. ( which I learned about at this forum)

 

Wow. This just hit my funny bone. I just spent the last 5-10 minutes busting into laughter as I tried to tell my man how funny I thought it would be to drive around a corner to see someone on stilts with a leaf-blower drying their car! What a great image. I thought it was funny enough to be considering using a leaf blower... LMAO litterally Thanks!

While I'm at it, how many amps does everyone's leaf blower have that they are satisfied with? I see 7 and 12 amps on Amazon. Would love to go for the cheaper 7 amp if it will do a satisfactory job and not slow down the process too much...

 

You guys are making drying a huge ordeal. Leaf blower? Really? What I have found most effective is those PVA drying cloths. I bought the Walmart version for 7 bucks. It is without exaggerating, a sponge. You drag it over the car to get rid of 90% of the water, then a big fluffy micro fibre cloth to pick up the rest.

Washing is a one hour job. Not that bad. It's claying, polish, and wax that takes time, depending on your level of obsession. If you drive a blizzard pearl, you can see every little dot, exactly like this -> .

 

+1 on that. Good to know I'm not alone doing this, it does seem unorthodox, LOL.

Doesn't get the car bone dry, but close. I just start at the front and work my way back. Really effective at chasing water out of seams and corners. When done I finish it it off with a flannel cloth, but much easier, hardly need to wring it.

 

I can't see it mattering what you blow with the leaf blower previously: the operative word is blow. There won't be any residual, as far as I can see.