Can You Take a Roof Rack, Bike Rack, or Cargo Box Through a Car Wash?
Take it off first. The major rack makers say to remove roof racks, crossbars, cargo boxes and bike racks before an automatic car wash. Thule's roof box instructions say, "When using an automatic car-wash facility, the roof box and roof rack must first be removed," and Rhino-Rack's FAQ is blunter: "do not take your vehicle through automotive washing stations with your roof racks installed!"
Hitch-mounted bike racks are on that list too. Thule's T2 Pro XTR hitch rack instructions say, "Remove the carrier before using an automatic car wash," and the Saris Freedom 4 hitch rack manual says, "Do not take rack through car wash." None of the rack instructions reviewed for this post make an exception for touchless washes. Below, you will find what each maker says, what to do about factory crossbars and antennas, and how to clean the rack itself so salt does not build up on it.
Can You Leave a Roof Rack On in an Automatic Car Wash?
Not according to the people who make them. A roof rack is the set of crossbars and mounts that attach to your roof to carry gear, and every major brand's instructions reviewed for this post tell owners to remove it before an automatic wash.
Thule's general car rack sheet says, "Load carriers should be removed before going through an automatic carwash," and "Remove your Thule rack and accessories when they are not in use and before entering automatic car washes." Rhino-Rack's RST crossbar instructions put it in capital letters: "PLEASE REMOVE CROSSBARS WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH."
Yakima's Australian site explains one reason: "Brushes from the car wash can get stuck in the roof racks and cause the roof racks to be pulled off your car." Touch-free washes have no brushes, but the makers' instructions do not carve out an exception for them, so follow the instructions for your rack.
Three Rivers Car Wash gives similar advice on its own site, asking drivers to "remove or secure antennas, roof racks, and aftermarket accessories before washing."
What Do Thule, Yakima, Rhino-Rack and Saris Say?
Here is what each maker's instructions say about car washes:
Maker and product | What the instructions say |
Thule roof boxes (Motion 3, Pulse 2) | "the roof box and roof rack must first be removed" |
Thule general car racks | "Load carriers should be removed before going through an automatic carwash" |
Thule T2 Pro XTR hitch bike rack | "Remove the carrier before using an automatic car wash" |
Thule FastRide roof bike carrier | "Remove the carrier before using an automatic car wash" |
Yakima Q-Tower roof rack | "REMOVE ACCESSORY BEFORE ENTERING AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH" |
Yakima SkyBox cargo box | "Remove gear box before entering automatic car wash" |
Rhino-Rack crossbars | "PLEASE REMOVE CROSSBARS WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH" |
Saris Freedom 4 hitch bike rack | "Do not take rack through car wash" |
Tesla says the same about its Cybertruck crossbars: "Remove the crossbars before entering an automatic car wash."
Does a Hitch Bike Rack Have to Come Off Too?
Yes, according to Thule and Saris. Both hitch rack manuals above say to remove the rack before a car wash. Rhino-Rack's rear number plate holder instructions say the same: "Please remove number plate holder and bike rack when putting vehicle through an automatic car wash."
Hitch racks stick out behind the bumper, so they change the length of your vehicle. Even if the rack folds up, the maker's instruction is to remove it, not fold it.
Thule also tells owners to take the hitch rack off when it is not in use, and that "When the carrier is removed from the vehicle, it must be stored in a dry storage area."
What About Cargo Boxes and Ski Racks?
Cargo boxes come off with the rack. Thule's roof box instructions say the box and the roof rack must both be removed for an automatic wash, and Yakima's SkyBox instructions say, "Remove gear box before entering automatic car wash."
Height is the other concern. Thule's roof box safety sheet warns that a roof box can raise vehicle height "by up to 700 mm," which is about 27.6 inches, "depending on the roof rack used." That matters for low clearances in general, from parking garages to car wash bays.
Ski and snowboard carriers mount to the same crossbars, so the same rule applies to the rack underneath them. When in doubt, check the instructions for your carrier and remove it before you pull in.
Should You Remove Your Antenna Before a Car Wash?
If it is removable, yes. Kia's owner's manual says, "Before entering a place with a low height clearance or a car wash, remove the antenna pole by rotating it counterclockwise," and a Kia manual for a telescoping antenna says to make sure it "is fully retracted." Nissan's 2023 Leaf manual says to remove the antenna "Before the vehicle enters an automatic car wash."
Volvo's U.S. manual adds, "Secure or remove protruding exterior parts such as retrofitted auxiliary lights, antennas, etc." This applies to removable mast or pole antennas and to aftermarket add-ons.
For more on what to check before you pull into the bay, see what to remove before a drive-thru car wash and these common mistakes at automatic car washes.
How Should You Clean the Rack Itself?
Racks pick up salt in winter, and the makers want them washed by hand. Rhino-Rack says, "Hand wash the racks with soap and water." Saris says, "When cleaning vehicle and rack, use only water soluble cleaners."
Thule's hitch rack instructions say to clean the carrier regularly "using warm water or car shampoo," especially "during periods when salt is applied to the roads (winter time)." For roof boxes, Thule says to "only use a solution of water and standard household washing liquid without any alcohol, bleach or ammonium additives as otherwise the surface of the roof box could suffer damage."
A simple routine:
Remove the rack, box or bike carrier at home before your wash.
Wash the car at the car wash with the roof and hitch clear.
Hand wash the rack with mild soap and water.
Dry it and store it indoors.
Before reinstalling, check the mounting hardware, since Rhino-Rack says bolt connections should be "checked after driving a short distance."
FAQ
Can I go through a touchless car wash with a roof rack?
The rack makers' instructions reviewed for this post do not make an exception for touchless washes. Thule, Yakima, Rhino-Rack and Saris all say to remove the rack before an automatic car wash.
Do I need to remove factory crossbars?
Rhino-Rack and Tesla tell owners to remove crossbars before an automatic car wash. Check your owner's manual or crossbar instructions for your vehicle.
Can a hitch bike rack go through a car wash?
Thule and Saris say no. Thule's T2 Pro XTR instructions say to remove the carrier before an automatic car wash, and Saris says not to take its rack through a car wash.
How much height does a roof box add?
Thule says a roof box can raise vehicle height by up to 700 mm, about 27.6 inches, depending on the roof rack used.
Should I take off my antenna before a car wash?
Yes, if it is a removable mast or pole. Kia and Nissan manuals say to remove it, and Volvo says to secure or remove protruding parts.
How do I clean salt off my roof rack?
Hand wash it with soap and water, as Rhino-Rack recommends. Thule says to clean its carriers regularly during road salt season.
Pull In Clear at Three Rivers Car Wash
Once the rack is off, Three Rivers Car Wash can take care of the rest. Its touch-free automatic washes run 24/7 in Canonsburg, Washington and Meadowlands, and its site says most cars, trucks, vans and SUVs fit, with large dually trucks typically able to wash at the BJ's location in Washington, though "not every truck will fit," so it suggests calling ahead. Taller vehicles can learn more in this post on whether touchless washes are good for large SUVs and trucks. Visit the BJ's location in Washington or the Meadowlands location.
Visit Three Rivers Car Wash or call (724) 222-6580 today. Contact us for more information.
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