cars

[dinniebrown]

So what's the general consensus on bringing your own car to the Playa. How much damage do we think happens from the dust and how do you prevent damage? I brought my year-old Honda Fit out last year (against the advice given to me by my burner-friendly car repair shop) and, although there was no apparent damage, I'm still worried about it. I did get a car wash as soon as I got home, but I was told to clean the the parts under the hood with vinegar water, etc, which needless to say I didn't do. They also told me to cover my car in tarps, but I was too lazy after I set my tent up and I saw everyone else's car just chillin, so...

Opinions?

[c]

Traps can stick/melt to the car that's why you don't see many people do it. (More so with the renters)

Before I drive out I always have a once over done on the car. Making sure nothing is wrong with it, and I carry some oil and other car fluids. - I'm no car guy, but I can handle your basic "what the fuck just happened" breakdown, mind you. - On the playa I get my shit out, leave my phone in the glove-box and only open a door once set up to run my air-pump for people. After leaving the playa and sometime around the first or second rest stop on the way back. I take out my air filter and beat the loving shit out of it. Somewhere on the drive I usually pick up one of those fuel additives that breaks up gunk. - Honestly I don't bother washing it until home, but when I do I spry down the engine and undercarriage. In my mind, the 2k drive back clears out most of the dust in the system, and the dust is no worse then salty ice water being sprayed everywhere in the middle of winter. - But like I said I'm no car guy.

My guess is the dealer simply knew that dust gets everywhere! (no amount of tarps is going to help that fact, by the way.) You will have dust in tiny nooks in odd places, like the corner of the back seat by the plastic for years. But so what. It's not like the person your selling the car to will be looking at those areas.

Any way, doing simple preventive things, along with a good wash should me more then enough. Oh and always keep in mind that your car is the same car I can buy. You have sunlight, and sunlight. I have every weather phenomenon known to man. Same car, handling all sorts of different shit. Only difference, is mine will rust faster. (maybe)
------------
A real car guy could tell you more about how the dust actually does its thing to the inner working of your car.

[dirtynate]

i know people will tell you different, but all i did last year was a car wash, and that was about a month after returning, i just detailed the front about a week ago and its all fine. when i turn on the ac i get a playa whiff and i kinda like it

[Deleted]

By in large the lingering dust in the passenger compartment is the worst ordeal for a car and that is up to the judgment of the owner. My ford ranger has been to the playa 4 times and the engine compartment has only been washed once afterwards. It is fine.

I see no truly damaging effects from the playa dust although it will cause aluminum to loose it's factory look and any spot of exposed steel will rust. The danger to the engine is only if allot of dust finds it's way in to the engine through the very limited ways in to it. It is not coming in by way of the fuel if you never remove the fuel cap and it won't go in through the air intake if your filter is good and you do not drive in white out conditions. When driving through powdery dust at exodus keep your speed down and all should be fine. If your air intake is located very low on the car playa dust may get in and a new filter might be a good idea. Educating your self on how to remove and replace your air filter properly is valuable knowledge and if you feel so inclined you could buy a new filter and install it on the way out in Fernley or Cedarville.

I recommend getting an oil change and a new air filter after a trip to the playa almost solely for the peace of mind it will give you. As for an actual maintenance necessity I think it probably is not necessary and you could go with the factory recommendation and be fine. In general it is a good idea to change the air filter once a year on a vehicle so you could choose to do that maintenance right after the burn.

Seek advice from you mechanic on washing the engine. My box truck manual states specifically to not wash the engine as it is unnecessary and potentially damaging to the engine.

[elusivefiremoose]

good info, another vote for bringing a new air filter with you to change once you hit Fallon on the way out.

a tarp or a car cover out there will FUCK up yer car, the dust will stick to the cover and the wind will make the cover flap A LOT. Causeing the cover to sand away yer paint job.

Make sure yer windows are up and make sure you don't lose yer key...

They say to bring a spare key and to give that key to someone you trust...but if you just dont lose yer key you'll be fine

[dinniebrown]

I read about the spare key suggestion in the survival guide, and thought "I never lose my key," so I didn't bother to bring a spare, then proceeded to LITERALLY lose my key about 3 times within the first half hour of arrival. But seriously, I would have lost my spare too, so I'm with you, just don't lose "yer" key. Wear it on your neck while your setting up your stuff.

[dragonpilot]

You might also consider reflective sun-shields for the windshield, rear window, and the side windows...will help to keep the interior cooler. Temps inside a closed car can reach 150 degrees or more.

I picked up a bunch for $1 each at...wait for it...the Dollar Store.

[dinniebrown]

more food for thought: If the dust fucks up bikes that badly, what does it do to our cars? Is it not as bad b/c the parts aren't as exposed? discuss...

[c]

ugh... bike parts are exposed... The only part of a bike that the dust really fucks up is the chain. Thats because the chain has oil on it and the dust sticks to it. Now sometimes that same shit will happen to the hub around where the axle connects to the frame. Again it's the oil or other lube. That muck is coming out because walmart bikes can't take the heat... so the oil/lube does what any liquid in confined space does... expanses and looks for the least resistance.

If you have the money to throw down, my old roomie could build you a worry free playa bike at his shop. Just keep in mind his 'daily drive'r is worth more then most 16 year olds first cars. (assuming they aren't spoiled brats) So don't freak out when see'n the bill.

Anyway... like Motz alluded to, cars are closed systems.

[Deleted]

Dust fucks up bike chains because they are made of a mild steel alloy that is susceptable to rust. It is true that the oil on the chain gathers dust and that gets it in close proxcimity to the metal where it starts to rust. One burning man will not ruin a chain. My bike has been to burning man 5 times and the chain has not been replaced yet. I do bring an extra chain though... I always end up giving it away to someone with a broken chain...

[dinniebrown]

last year the pedal of my bike broke off, but then again, it was from Walmart

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2010 20:21:42 GMT -7 dinniebrown said:

last year the pedal of my bike broke off, but then again, it was from Walmart

I can usually fix that.

[kramer]

Never had any issues with my car being on the playa... I wash it usually within a week of being at my default home.

I do bring a semi large piece of cardboard. When I find my week long parking spot, I drive onto the cardboard with the front tires. This catches random oil/radiator drips (if they happen) for easy clean up and a good place to store tools/air pump & other crap.