Toyota Venza Forum

Prevoius vehicle purchases have always included a brief sermon about how and when we should wash the car. We didn't get any of that information when we purchased our Venza.

The weather in Austin has been terrible and the Venza is a mess. I would love to wash it and I'm seeking feedback from others. What are my options for washing a Venza that we purchased 4 weeks ago

1.) Automated spray wash?
2.) Self wash - sponge/hose/soap w/ wax (Turtle Ice)?
3.) Self wash - sponge/hose/soap
4.) Self wash - sponge/hose

Can I wash it now or should I wait a few more weeks? I'm concerned that leaving the accumulated crud on the car can have a negative impact on the finish.

I live in a very cold climate and the only precautions I am aware of is making sure the vehicle is warm when it is washed and properly dry so the doors and locks don't freeze. I have only washed my once and it was at a full service place that cleaned inside and out and dried the vehicle to ensure it didn't freeze. They did a great job and I will go back again when it needs a clean. The next one the dealer will do when it gets a check up a week on Friday.

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2010 I4-AWD Magnetic Grey Metallic, Cdn Premium Pkg (Panorama Moon Roof, Grey Leather, Heated Powered Seats, TFT with Backup Camera, Power Rear Hatch, Simulated Wood), Rear Cargo Mat and Net, After-Market Python 2-Way Car Starter.

Well, I took it through an automated spray wash and all seems well. The front grill looks like poo (water spots) and the tags got wet, but otherwise everything looks decent.

I'll give it a more thorough wash on the next warm weekend.

Kinda unrelated to issue but My Dealer told me I could come by every Friday/Saturday for a FREE Car Wash as Long as I own the Venza. Never
really thought how great that would be... Its fantastic, they do a GREAT JOB!!! Only time they wont do it is if Temp is at or below freezing.
It is a perk I never really thought much about. LOVE IT!!!

GuV

don't make the mistake of taking your Venza to an automated car wash,that use the blowers to dry the car,,The blowers will rip the roof mouldings out. My Venza is at the body shop now,, the mouldings ,being replaced, This should never happen,but this another instance of poor quality fit and finish,,

I prefer to wash all my cars at home with my lil powerwasher, sponge, and some good car soap, but in the cold weather we've been having, I usually take it to a car wash, and spray it down myself, I never had luck with automated carwashes. One thing I will suggest is, dont use dish soap or something similar like that. It will strip your wax off, and after some time dull your cars finish, always use car soap, you can pickup a bottle of turtlewax car wash for $5 at you local autoparts store, and one more thing thats gonna keep your car rust free for a long time, is to dry it off and make sure you dry off your door jams, this is a place that people overlook the most, but you'd be surprised how much dirt, road salt, and what not colects there. I used to own a 94 honda civic hatch, and despite the car being old, and a honda (terrible on rust) I managed to keep it rust free till 2004 when I sold it. this was done by regular/weekly hand washes and drying my car after everywash. I recomend using microfiber cloths.... they work great on glass and paint. good luck, and keep 'em clean

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Blizzard Pearl Venza

AWD 2.7l I4

Hi Mike,
First off, congrats on the purchase of your new Venza.
I hope you enjoy your Venza as much as I do mine.
I have always self washed , if you have the time and weather , I think its the best.
I use Meguiar's Gold Class car wash Shampoo & Conditioner, it cleans good.
A sponge and a microfiber cloth, I recomend a good coat of wax as soon as posible.

Happy Driving

If I could tag on to the cleaning thread...here in DFW we've had rain lately. There are "mud" spots on the rear camera lens. In the image it's fuzzy dots (out of focus) so I think it's on the camera itself. It's about impossible to get to, so does anybody have a quick and easy cleaning solution? I'm guessing the road dirt mixed with water swirled up in there while driving, and it's dried on. I've thought about just trying to squirt water on it but I don't have an empty spray bottle right now and I don't want to use glass cleaner in case it's bad for the camera.

Thanks in advance, Dan

Dan,
Can't you take a q-tip and clean the lens of the camera? It's not hidden...it should be easy to get to.

My embarrassment is showing...what I thought was the camera, way up in the top of the window, was the squirter. the camera is under the window and easy to clean (plus easy to get dirty).

thanks, anyway,
dan