Choose your car wash with care

Anything other than getting cleaned up can happen to your car while at the washing bay. The worst can happen when you leave your keys behind with those who are supposed to wash it but have other plans up their sleeves.

Drive it
It is better to cause damage to your own car than find it bashed at a washing bay.
Mohamed Kimuli a social worker, recalls what happened to him. “I could not believe what I saw. The car washers had driven it while I was away and crashed it into a nearby fence. The left side mirror, an indicator and windshield were damaged. There is no management at the bay so I was not compensated for the damage caused. From then, I take the car to be washed at a place where I know it will be safe.”

Steal it or steal from it
“If you want to duplicate your car key with several copies, ask the washing bay boys. They will get you someone who will do it in less than 30 minutes,” Moses Ssegirinya, a car washer at Jet washing bay in Munyonyo says, “Making a copy of a car key can be for as low as Sh10,000 depending on the type of the car.”
Therefore, when you leave the key behind, you increase the risk of your car being stolen.

This is because duplicating a key is easy so they can trail you and immediately you park, someone will just jump into it and drive off. There can also be theft ranging from the spare tires to valuables such as laptops, valuable documents, money, CD players and other things that you may have left in the car.

Do a bad job
There are times when you want to get an engine wash and some car washers may claim to know how to do it. “Not every part of the car must get into contact with water especially the engine,” cautions Elijah Nyilimanzi, a mechanic at Newness Motorworks Centre.

While washing the car, the breather or air intake, fuel and electrical components must be kept covered. This will prevent the electrical components of the car from being exposed to water which may cause a malfunction.

“I started the car several times but it could not start, Ronald Jjuuko recalls. “I did not know what had happened to my car because by the time I took it to the bay, it was okay. When I called my mechanic, he told me that the water had been poured into the engine. So, we had to wait until it was dry.”

Siphon fuel from it
Some siphon fuel from cars with the intention to sell it. This is easier when you leave the key with the washers. They can open the lid to the fuel tank and insert a tube to draw out the fuel from it. They can as well use a spanner to open the tank from below, switch on the ignition and through the supply line they draw the fuel into a container.

Pointers on what you can do

Do not leave the keys behind
Remember not to ever leave your key behind or any valuables in the car unless you trust the place or if you are going to wait there.

Stick to one car wash
Do not keep changing washing bays.
You may decide to trust one or two places with expertise and professionalism in car cleaning.

Consider the management
Use a washing bay that has good management, That way you can be sure that they will compensate you for any damages caused to your car.
So, you will not have to suffer because of their carelessness or any kind of negligence.

Give the person instructions
If you want an engine wash, do not forget to carefully instruct the person washing to cover the electrical parts of your car while they wash it.
Petrol engine cars in particular are very sensitive to steam and water. They may need to give your car special attention during washing.

Warm up the car before driving off
After washing, the car must be warmed up first. It is important to remove any trace of water or steam from near the sensitive parts like the electrical system.

Park your car strategically
If there is enough space at the washing bay, park your car in a strategic position which will not necessitate moving it during washing.

Wash it yourself
Alternatively, you can wash it yourself. Sometimes getting your family car into the yard for a good scrubbing is a great family afternoon activity. This is especially when you have children and a rather big yard.
With this you can avoid the theft, accidents, water running into the engine and save you the washing bay costs.

Install a fuel tracking device
Also, you can have a fuel tracking device installed in a car to prevent fuel theft. It can be put on the car dashboard or anywhere else in the car. This will check fuel theft.