I thought I was 'old school' too, having carried out engine strip-downs and body repairs on my cars over the years.
I find nowadays though that cars are manufactured to such a high standard that unless something is wrong there is no need to interfere
even with a rag!
If something goes wrong, even for tyre loss of pressure, then you are notified and can then do something.
Perhaps I am lazy? I don't even clean my car any more except for a car wash (soft cloth ones) and a hoover round inside if it gets too bad
I tell a white lie there because I did wash it manually for two months I think when new and maybe I will do similar this time. Reason, I like to think the paint/lacquer job is hardened by then.
I find that gone are the days when you needed to check water, oil, fluid levels because if you did not, nothing warned you. Did we have a handbrake 'on' warning?I remember I knew the indicators were on because i heard it open right beside my ear!