Desert Air Intake (Can you go through a touch less car wash?)

Hi, first time Tacoma owner here. I just picked up a black TRD Pro. I've seen quite a few warnings on car washes with the desert air intake. But I'm not sure if they are only related to the automatic touch car washes due to ripping off the intake. But I imagine you can use a touch-free wash and won't have any issues with the intake. Doesn't seem like this issue has been cleared up yet. I just don't want to get excess water in my intake and cause any issues.

Thank you

 

Coffee can on it. Problem solved!

 

Does the owner's manual say anything about it?

 

Says no automatic car washes with a picture of a touch wash, but doesn't specify if it's because of the brushes hitting it or shooting water down it. I assume the intake has a drain in it. since it isn't watertight. Hoping someone else may no a bit more about it.

 

I've never had an issue driving through pouring rain with the snorkel on my 04, whatever water does make its way through the snorkel gets caught in the air filter and dried out pretty much instantly. Snorkels have little vents under the head that are designed to push water out before it goes down the intake tube. I'd be more worried about the brushes and stuff in the auto car washes getting hung up on it if it were me.

 

It should be fine but I DEFINITELY wouldn’t go into an automatic wash that uses brushes!

 

Thanks everyone I appreciate.

If anyone else is familiar with the intake please let me know

 

Isn't a "touchless" car wash an automatic car wash? I would not chance it.

 

Bump?

 

Bump, also curious if anyone takes their taco with dai through a touchless car wash.

 

Do not do this!!!

There are drain holes on the underneath path of the desert air intake at different points. These allow water to drain out from rain or water getting sucked into the main port BUT when going through any car wash it can force water in through those drain holes since the water sprays in multiple directions, like up for instance.
Imagine taking a pressure washer and spraying right into those drain holes from the bottom, you're bound to get water into your filter and possibly beyond that.

 

Bumping this to see if anyone has gone through touchless with their dai and had any issues

 

I have the DAI and you can go thru brush-less / touch-less car washes without any issues

 

The wash might do u a favor and rip that ugly thing off lol ...

 

Avoid all automatic car washes. They damage your truck like it did mine. Now that I’ve added a hood deflector, rain guards, running boards, and ditch lights, I’m never going through an automatic car wash. Even if my accessories are well secured, I’m not going to take a risk of one of those brushes getting stuck or dragging something.

 

Maybe take it through a 6-spd car wash?

 

What’s the difference between driving through torrential rain and a touch less car wash I don’t see it being an issue...as long as it sits lower than the roof as idk if the sensors would catch it. Those things get pretty damn close.

 

If you really want a clean truck, do it yourself. Nothing like see my beautiful Blue Taco right after a bath.

 

I do usually clean the truck myself, but with winter creeping around the corner here in Canada, not a big fan of cleaning in the freezing cold hahah

 

whats a DAI