I just had my car washed and when I got home noticed a tiny bit of smoke for about 5 seconds and then it went away . I might smell a faint smell of coolant, not sure. Can it be because of frigid weather on east coast , the water from wash was causing smoke? Or should I take it to dealer ?

 

most likely wasn't smoke but the water from car wash vaporizing as the radiator got hot

 

That's what I hope, but I think I smell a little antifreeze... I'll keep checking level

 

Took it thru a carwash?....wash it yourself and avoid these issues along with scratches on your paint etcetc...

 

No, no car wash, hand wash but he used power washer on wheels and underneath.... I learned my lesson a few years back when some jackass decided to drive fast into tracks of car wash and hit side of track with my rim ...scratched it up bad..they fixed it though

 

Smoke = H20. Happens to me all the time especially if you spray water into the radiator directly while attempting to get the bug splatter off.

Cheers,

 

If you don't have screens on those radiators I'd get a set.

 

I was just thinking that today ..my last 997 had screens and I never saw any smoke on cold rainy days ..Do the screens really stop that much water that creates the smoke ?

 

It's not the water you need to stop. It's the rocks/debri from hitting/clogging the radiators. I wouldn't want a hole in a radiator while on a trip.

 

If you noticed only briefly after washing your car ( where you driving the car before you washed it?), most likely the water you sprayed in there was vaporized if the heat exchanger was hot. This would be particularly noticeable on a humid day or a clear, cold day. A continuous emission of vapor would definitely make me concerned. Also, keep an eye on your coolant level.