Do you turn your car off in an automatic car wash?

Generally, no—do not turn your car off in a conveyor-style automatic car wash; keep the engine on and shift to Neutral. In a stationary “in-bay” automatic (where a gantry moves around your parked car), you usually put the car in Park and can leave the engine running unless posted signs or attendants instruct you to switch it off. Always follow the specific instructions at the wash entrance.

It depends on the car wash type

Conveyor tunnel (belt or roller pushes the car)

In conveyor tunnels, the wash equipment moves your car through the tunnel. The vehicle must be able to roll freely, and many modern vehicles rely on engine power to maintain proper transmission and brake-assist behavior.

• Leave the engine on; shift into Neutral (N).
• Foot off the brake; hands off the wheel; do not steer.
• Disable auto-hold and make sure the parking brake will not engage automatically.
• Turn off automatic wipers; fold mirrors; close all windows and sunroof.
• For EVs/hybrids, keep the car in “Ready” and use any “Car Wash” or “Free Roll/Neutral hold” mode.

Keeping the vehicle powered prevents unintended shifts into Park, preserves brake assist, and allows the car to roll smoothly through the tunnel without interference from driver-assistance features.

In-bay automatic (rollover gantry moves around a stationary car)

In an in-bay automatic, you drive in and stop; the machine moves around your car. The common practice is to secure the car so it does not creep, and minimize any automatic features that might activate mid-wash.

• Put the vehicle in Park (automatic) or Neutral (manual), as posted.
• Generally, you can leave the engine running unless the bay signage or attendant says to switch it off.
• Release the brake unless instructed otherwise (some systems read brake lights/sensors).
• Turn off automatic wipers; fold mirrors; close all windows and sunroof.
• Disable automatic parking brake and auto-hold features that could clamp the brakes unexpectedly.

Because your vehicle remains stationary, the engine status is less critical than in conveyor tunnels. However, always defer to posted instructions, which can vary by equipment and ventilation in the bay.

EVs and hybrids: special instructions

Electric and hybrid models often include software designed specifically for car washes. Using these modes prevents auto-locking, unintended shifts into Park, and windshield wiper activation.

• Keep the vehicle in “Ready” (do not power it down) unless signage requires otherwise.
• Use “Car Wash Mode” or “Free Roll/Neutral hold” if available (e.g., Tesla Car Wash Mode with “Enable Free Roll”).
• Disable one-pedal drive or strong regenerative braking if it could resist rolling on a conveyor.
• Turn off automatic wipers and avoid opening the charge port; ensure it is latched.
• Fold mirrors and close windows; mute parking sensors if they false-alert continuously.

Following these steps keeps the vehicle controllable and prevents software from reapplying Park or braking while the wash is in progress.

Features to disable before entering

Modern driver-assistance features can interfere with wash equipment. Disabling them temporarily reduces the chance of sudden braking, steering, or sensor-triggered interruptions.

• Automatic windshield wipers and rain-sensing wipers.
• Automatic emergency braking or rear cross-traffic braking (some cars will brake if jets or brushes are detected).
• Auto-hold and automatic parking brake features.
• Auto-folding mirrors (manually fold and lock if needed to prevent cycling).
• Hands-on steering assists or lane centering that might fight the conveyor rails.

Re-enable these features after you exit the wash area. Many vehicles restore defaults the next time you restart.

Why most tunnels want the engine on

Conveyor tunnels rely on a free-rolling vehicle. Leaving the engine on helps maintain hydraulic or electric brake assist, prevents some vehicles from auto-shifting into Park, and avoids unexpected activation of parking brakes. It also helps keep HVAC running to prevent window fogging that can make it difficult to follow attendant hand signals.

What if your vehicle auto-engages Park or the parking brake?

Some cars shift to Park when doors open or if the seat belt is unbuckled, and others apply an electronic parking brake after a stop. These behaviors can halt a wash mid-cycle.

• Consult your owner’s manual for “Car Wash,” “Transport,” or “Neutral hold/Free roll” settings.
• Keep doors closed and seat belts buckled while in the tunnel.
• Temporarily disable auto-hold or automatic parking brake functions.
• Ask the attendant for brand-specific guidance if you are unsure.

Taking a moment to prepare your vehicle prevents stoppages, equipment faults, and potential damage fees.

Quick checklist at the entrance sign

Before you enter any automatic car wash, scan the posted instructions and set your vehicle accordingly. This short checklist helps you align with most operators’ expectations.

1. Read and follow the bay or tunnel signage.
2. Close windows/sunroof; fold mirrors; remove/secure antenna if required.
3. Turn off automatic wipers and sensitive driver-assistance braking.
4. Conveyor: engine on, Neutral, no brake, no steering. In-bay: Park (or Neutral if instructed).
5. For EVs/hybrids: enable Car Wash/Free Roll mode; keep the car in Ready.

These steps cover the vast majority of scenarios and minimize the chance of a wash interruption or vehicle damage.

Bottom line

In a conveyor tunnel, do not turn your car off—leave it running and in Neutral so it can roll. In a stationary in-bay automatic, put the car in Park (or Neutral if directed) and leave the engine on unless the posted instructions require shutting it off. When in doubt, follow the on-site signage and ask an attendant.

Summary

Whether to turn your car off depends on the wash type. Conveyor tunnels: engine on, Neutral, no brake or steering. In-bay automatics: Park (or Neutral if directed), engine typically left on unless signage says otherwise. For EVs and hybrids, stay in Ready and use any car-wash or free-roll mode. Always follow the posted instructions and disable features like auto wipers, auto-hold, and automatic braking to prevent interruptions.

Should I turn the car off in the car wash?

You should not turn off your engine in an automatic conveyor car wash because many automatic cars have an automatic parking brake that locks the tires when the engine is off, which can cause damage to your vehicle and the car wash equipment. Instead, in these types of washes, put your car in neutral, turn off the engine to reduce fumes and wait for the attendants. For a wash where the equipment moves and you park, you can turn off your engine. Always follow the specific instructions given by the car wash attendant or the signs at the car wash.
 
This video explains the importance of disabling certain vehicle features before going through a car wash: 59sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Jan 4, 2024
Instructions for an automatic conveyor car wash:

1. Turn off the engine: This is the safest option to prevent issues with automatic parking or cruise control systems that can interfere with the washing equipment. 
2. Engage Neutral: Shift the automatic transmission to “N” for neutral. 
3. Turn off safety systems: Deactivate features like the automatic parking brake, cruise control, and automatic wipers to prevent unexpected intervention. 
4. Do not steer or brake: Let the conveyor belt move the car freely through the wash. 

Instructions for a park-in-place wash: 

1. Park the car: Opens in new tabIf the car wash involves parking in a spot where the cleaning equipment moves around the vehicle, you can safely turn off the engine.
2. Engage park or handbrake: Opens in new tabShift into park or engage the handbrake as you normally would when parking.

Why turning off the engine is risky in a conveyor wash:

• Automatic parking brake: Many modern cars have an auto-hold function or automatic parking brake that engages when the engine is off, which can cause the car to lock and jump off the conveyor. 
• Automatic emergency braking: These systems can mistakenly detect the washing equipment as an obstacle and apply the brakes, stopping your car on the conveyor. 
• Fumes and staff safety: Turning off the engine is also a courtesy to the staff who may be working in the area, reducing exhaust fumes. 

Can you leave your car running in an automatic car wash?

In this case, the ignition must be turned back on and remain on the whole time the car is passing through the car wash so that the parking brake does not block the conveyor chain of the car wash.

How to go through an automated car wash?

To use an automatic car wash, first follow attendant instructions or signs to position your car. Then, shift into neutral, turn off your engine, and take your foot off the brake. Next, keep your hands off the steering wheel and ensure that any potentially reactive driver-assistance systems, like rain-sensing wipers or automatic emergency braking, are turned off. Finally, remain in the vehicle, but do not operate it, allowing the conveyor system to pull your car through the wash. 
Before entering the car wash

1. Follow instructions: A car wash attendant or flashing lights will guide you on where and how to position your vehicle. 
2. Prepare your car: Roll up all windows and fold in your mirrors. 
3. Disable features: Turn off your automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors to prevent them from activating during the wash. 
4. Activate car wash mode: Some electric vehicles, like Teslas, require you to put them in a special “Car Wash Mode” which automatically shifts to neutral and disables certain features, according to this YouTube video. 

During the car wash

1. Engage neutral: Place the car in neutral. 
2. Turn off the engine: Switch off your car. 
3. Release the brake: Take your foot off the brake pedal. 
4. Keep hands off the wheel: Do not touch the steering wheel, as your car will be pulled through the wash by a conveyor. 
5. Wait for the wash to finish: The car wash will automatically move your vehicle through the washing, rinsing, and drying stages. 

After exiting the car wash 

1. Shift to Drive: Once the wash is complete, put your car back into drive.
2. Be patient: Pull out slowly. Your tires will be wet, which can cause them to spin if you accelerate too quickly or turn sharply.

Do you turn the engine off in an auto car wash?

Nope, it’s no different from waiting in traffic with stop-start kicking in anyway so why not turn it off. Particularly with an older car it’s less fumes for the car wash staff to be breathing in.