I recently got my Ertiga serviced at a Maruti ASC in Bangalore and it got the taste of this waterless wash for the first time. The reason was something most Bangaloreans are already aware of and not this post!
The Pollution Control Board from the orders of NGT have conducted a series of investigations across certain pockets of Bangalore - Electronics City, Bommanahalli, Hosur Road, Sarjapur Road, Bellandur and have categorically ordered immediate closure of water wash equipment used at these service centers. The reason cited : None of these ASC (as far as I Know, at least 13 of them have faced the music including other brands as well) have a reliable and sustainable treatment for Sewage. While few ASCs were asked to close only their Washing Set-up, few were forcibly shut down completely too. There is a connection to Bellandur Lake and NGT's related order. Read more of that
here.
Now this ASC where I visit now has a banner at the reception area that says "Go Green, Ask for Waterless/Dry Wash" and each of the SA upon receiving the vehicle is informing the customer beforehand that the vehicle won't undergo traditional washing but will only be washed using dry foam - No, not even any under chassis wash or spraying pressurized water on the wheel wells/Arches.
The fact that your post mentions this, I am relived that underbody will be washed with regular water.
Quote:
In this system, the cars that come for cleaning will use water for underbody washing, however, the rest of the exteriors would not use one-tenth of the quantity (approximately).
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I cannot dread to think of the service being carried out without even washing the wheel arches properly when they attempt to remove all the wheels and clean the brakes etc. A pressurized wash at least in these areas is must, especially when you have driven in rainy conditions.
The Waterless Wash Experience:
Due to a lot of errands on personal front over the past 3 months, my car hadn't been washed on regular basis at home which I religiously do (Mostly with Plain water) and then those frequent spell of rains that ensured the body needed a wash badly.
When I was explained that they can only do waterless wash, I didn't expect the outcome to be better - Especially the long running roof that had a lot of dust on it. I noticed upon delivery that the wash was no less than satisfactory, especially for the condition that the vehicle was. But that's about it.
The Areas of improvement were the Front Grill and Fog Lamp bezels which still had insects stuck right there. Good spray from a faraway distance right on AC Condensor fins also makes a lot of difference with the cooling and removes dead insects too. Sadly, with this dry wash, that also won't be done. Even the Running board on both sides needed attention. Since the Dry wash exercise in my case was due to other reasons mentioned above, they had not washed the Wheel Arches and the Engine Bay as well. However, the interiors were vacuumed and cleaned. Since the expectation was set beforehand, It wasn't a surprise to me and neither I could raise this as a concern.
This waterless wash has to be done in a very professional manner and I have a huge apprehension regarding the way this will be done if implemented across ASCs. I expect the washing folks to be less caring when working on our cars and also expect them to end up causing scratches and swirls using the same (or abused) gloves or clothes as they end up washing at least 40-60 cars per day. When the volumes are that high, I expect a lot of carelessness in the way this entire dry wash thing will be handled. More importantly, this requires more human effort as there will be lot of wiping right after the foam is sprayed till its wiped. Earlier, spraying water did half the job. This is the other reason why the folks attending your car would never have least dedication to your car as there will be another 10 cars waiting!
At the end of the day, passing the buck on caring the environment and then expecting customers to remain complacent if washing is not as per expectations - Seems to me that this will be the biggest and easiest way to get away from iffy customers who care more about washing quality rather than the service itself.
As for me, I will continue to visit washing centers to only get the wheel arches and underbody sprayed with pressurized water and wash the car myself as I have been doing so till now.