Cold weather car washes (sub zero Celsius)

[zknobody]

This will be my first winter season with a Model 3.

I've noticed that the frameless doors tend to collect some water on the inner pane, and when I hand wash the car, I also wipe the inside window/trim.

This winter, I plan to use touchless car washes. I'm curious about whether the Tesla Model 3/Y doors encounter any problems like sticking or freezing on extremely cold, sub-zero days. Should I be cautious about using car washes during such weather conditions?

 

[Birdsfan]

I personally do not use any type of automatic carwash, I only hand wash. With that being said, if you plan to wash with a touchless you will want to dry the door jams, just like any other car that water if frozen could prevent the door from opening. However, since you can control the via the app you could pre-warm the cabin to help thaw any ice. The handles themselves could also freeze but if memory serves me Tesla updated something to help with this. I wash my car in any temp 40 and above but I make sure to dry the jams and trunk lid to prevent the icing.

 

[Randy-12]

What did you do with your other cars?
This is a car like the others.

 

[zknobody]

What did you do with your other cars?
This is a car like the others.

my other car didn't have frameless doors and it had regular handles

 

[father_of_6]

The windows will stick a *little*, but it's not particularly bad.

Door handles can get pretty frozen... but as @Birdsfan mentioned, the app can now unlatch the driver's door without using the handle. Just long-press one of the controls on the app (see photo) to choose which controls display there.

The charge port can be difficult in Winter, I often have to chisel out every bit of ice in order for it to close properly, but I park and charge outside. If your Model 3 is kept in a garage you shouldn't have to deal with that.

I've read on these forums that touchless car washes use higher pH chemicals that cause discoloration spots on the black window trim. That might even be worse than the micro scratches caused by non touchless car washes. Check this thread to make your own decision:

How to Prevent Discoloration of Exterior Black (chrome) Window Trim

Dropped off 2023 MSLR at SC. Loaner is black 2021 M3 with black (chrome) window trim that is severely discolored (rainbow). How does this happen so I can avoid it:

teslamotorsclub.com

I do take mine through the car wash during Winter months, as I expect the salt damage to be worse than the micro scratches.

 

[father_of_6]

However, since you can control the via the app you could pre-warm the cabin to help thaw any ice.

This is probably why I haven't had much of an issue with frozen windows... I definitely preheat the cabin in Winter.