i read in the owner's manual that after washing your car you should "apply pressure" to your brakes. does this mean turn on your car and hold down the brake for a few seconds? the owner's manual explained that the water from cleaning the wheels could damage the brakes possibly.

how likely is damaging your brakes from washing the car? and what is the proper amount of time to apply the brake? does this really help? or would it be better to just take it for a drive after washing?

thanks!

 

light brake pressure heats and dries the rotors, DO NOT hit the discs with cool water if they are hot from using them prior to washing, warping could result

 

Sounds like something the product liability lawyears had added. Washing your car does not damage your braking system in any way, although it will temporarily leave you with wet rotors and pads, so the first stop you make might require slightly more effort until the rotors / pads dry.I doubt it would even be noticeable.

 

I don't drive my car daily so after washing, I drive it around the block to heat up the rotors and knock the spots of rust that instantly develop from the wash water. Probably not important, but makes me feel better.

 

It's kind of like when it rains. They get wet and the rotors will rust slightly and the stopping action will not be quite as good for few seconds.

As for the comment above about getting the brakes wet when "hot" - very true i can cause warping if they are hot from "use' but not hot from just sitting in hot weather.

 

Ya, lol. It doesn't matter, next time you drive it those will come off anyways