How to go through a carwash in an automatic car

For most conveyor tunnel car washes, keep the engine on, fold in mirrors, close all windows, disable automatic wipers and braking assists, select Neutral (or use your vehicle’s Car Wash/Free Roll mode), keep your hands off the wheel and foot off the brake, and follow the attendant’s signals; for in-bay automatic systems where you stay stationary, put the car in Park and follow the on-screen prompts. These basics prevent damage to your vehicle and the carwash equipment, and the exact steps depend on the wash type and your vehicle’s features.

Know your wash type

Understanding which kind of carwash you’re using determines whether you’ll use Neutral or Park and which features to disable. The three most common systems differ in how your vehicle moves—or doesn’t—through the wash.

• Conveyor tunnel (chain-and-roller or flat-belt): Your car is pulled through automatically. Most require Neutral and no braking; some flat-belt tunnels may instruct Park once on the belt. Always follow posted directions.
• In-bay automatic (touchless or soft-touch): Your car stays still while the machine moves around it. Typically, you’ll put the vehicle in Park and remain inside.
• Self-serve bays: You control the wand and brushes. Transmission can remain in Park; apply the parking brake if you will step out.

Knowing the system upfront helps you set the correct gear and avoid triggering safety systems that could stop or damage the wash process.

Before you enter: Quick vehicle prep

These simple checks protect vulnerable parts and prevent unexpected system activations during the wash. Do them while queued up, before the entry point.

• Close and lock all windows, sunroof, and the fuel door or charge port; ensure tailgate is fully latched.
• Fold mirrors; remove or retract antenna (if applicable). Secure loose accessories or racks; avoid washes that exceed your vehicle’s height/width limits.
• Turn off automatic wipers (including rain-sensing and rear wiper) to prevent damage.
• Disable Auto Hold and any auto-park features that clamp brakes unexpectedly.
• Silence or disable parking sensors/chimes if they distract; some vehicles do this automatically in Car Wash mode.
• If your car offers a Car Wash or Free Roll mode, enable it now. This often handles mirrors, wipers, sensors, and Neutral hold for you.

Spending 30 seconds on prep reduces the chance of broken wiper arms, cracked mirrors, or conveyor stoppages caused by braking or steering inputs.

Step-by-step: Conveyor tunnel (most common)

In conveyor tunnels, the wash moves the car; your job is to keep it rolling freely. Some tunnels use rollers that guide your tires; others use a flat belt. Signs or attendants will specify whether to use Neutral or Park, depending on the system.

1. Pay, select your wash, and read the entry sign. Follow the attendant’s hand signals.
2. Align your driver-side tire with the guide rail or between the belts; creep forward until instructed to stop.
3. When signaled, shift to Neutral or activate Free Roll/Car Wash mode. Confirm Auto Hold is off and the parking brake is released.
4. Keep the engine running (or EV/HEV in Ready). Take your foot off the brake and hands off the wheel; do not steer unless instructed.
5. Do not touch the throttle, brakes, or steering during the wash. Avoid opening doors or windows.
6. At the exit, wait for the green light or attendant. Gently brake, shift to Drive, re-enable driver assists, and re-fold mirrors if needed before merging into traffic.

If your tunnel uses a flat-belt conveyor, the operator may direct you to leave the car in Park once positioned. This is normal for belt systems—always follow the posted instructions over general rules.

Step-by-step: In-bay automatic (touchless or soft-touch)

In-bay automatics clean while your car remains stationary. The system’s prompts are designed for minimal input—set the car and let the equipment work.

1. Center the vehicle between guides and stop when the sign instructs.
2. Put the transmission in Park (or Neutral if directed by the machine); keep the parking brake off unless explicitly instructed otherwise.
3. Keep the engine on (or EV Ready). Ensure wipers remain off.
4. Stay inside the car. Follow any prompts to move forward/backward slightly if the system requests alignment.
5. Wait for the completion signal, then drive out slowly, watching for pedestrians and other cars.

Because you remain stationary, in-bay systems typically prefer Park. If the machine requests Neutral for a short repositioning step, shift back to Park afterward as prompted.

Disable or adjust driver-assist features

Modern safety tech can misinterpret wash brushes, curtains, or nearby vehicles as hazards, triggering unwanted braking or warnings. Temporarily adjust these systems where possible.

• Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning: Turn off to prevent hard stops in tunnels.
• Rear Automatic Braking and Rear Cross-Traffic Braking: Disable to avoid stops when brushes pass the rear bumper.
• Parking sensors and proximity alerts: Silence or disable to reduce constant alarms; some Car Wash modes do this automatically.
• Auto Hold/Brake Hold and automatic parking features: Turn off so the car can roll freely in Neutral.
• Rain-sensing wipers and rear wiper: Switch off to avoid damage.
• Start/stop systems: If your car stalls at stops, disable auto stop/start for consistent power during the wash.
• Brand-specific helpers: Tesla Car Wash Mode (Controls > Service) and “Enable Free Roll”; BMW iDrive Car Wash; Mercedes-Benz Car Wash mode; Ford “Stay in Neutral” mode; Hyundai/Kia Neutral Hold. Access varies by model year—check your owner’s manual.

Re-enable these features after exiting so you maintain full safety protection on the road.

Special notes for EVs, hybrids, and modern transmissions

Shift-by-wire vehicles and electrified powertrains add a few wrinkles. The goal is to maintain power and keep the car in a true free-rolling state without auto-applying brakes.

• EVs: Use Car Wash mode or Neutral/Free Roll. Keep the vehicle in Ready so power steering/braking remain available and the car won’t auto-park when the seatbelt is unlatched or a door opens.
• Hybrids: Keep the system in Ready if Neutral is required to prevent 12V battery drain and ensure proper system lubrication/control power.
• Neutral Hold/Free Roll: Many modern cars will default out of Neutral if the door opens or seatbelt unbuckles. Stay buckled with doors closed, and use manufacturer-provided Neutral Hold features.
• Electronic parking brakes: Avoid pressing Park or shutting the car off in a tunnel; some vehicles auto-apply the parking brake when powering down.
• Oversize tires and low-profile wheels: Verify track or belt compatibility to avoid rim damage.

If your vehicle repeatedly drops out of Neutral or auto-brakes despite settings, ask the attendant for a belt conveyor lane (if available) or choose an in-bay wash where Park is acceptable.

After the wash: Quick checks

A brief post-wash routine prevents streaks and restores your normal driving setup.

• Unfold mirrors; turn wipers back on to Auto only after you’re clear of the wash.
• Re-enable driver-assist systems you turned off (AEB, parking sensors, Auto Hold).
• Lightly apply the brakes at low speed to dry the rotors, especially after a touchless wash.
• Open doors and trunk briefly to wipe jambs and seals; blot mirrors and camera lenses for visibility.
• For EVs, check the charge port door for trapped water and ensure it closes fully.

These steps help maintain safety, visibility, and finish quality without adding much time to your visit.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most incidents at car washes result from a handful of preventable errors. Keep these in mind to avoid stoppages and damage.

• Applying the brake or steering in a conveyor tunnel when not instructed.
• Leaving Auto Hold, auto-park, or AEB active in a tunnel.
• Entering with windows cracked, mirrors unfolded, or wipers on.
• Ignoring size/clearance limits with roof racks, bike racks, or wide tires.
• Using a brush tunnel on vehicles with delicate add-ons, fresh wraps, or matte finishes—opt for touchless.
• Washing in deep freeze without drying seals; doors or locks may freeze afterward.

Preventing these mistakes protects both your car and the wash equipment and keeps the line moving for everyone.

FAQ

Drivers often have quick questions at the entry sign. Here are concise answers to the most frequent ones.

• Neutral or Park? Tunnel with rollers: Neutral. Flat-belt tunnel: follow instructions (often Park). In-bay automatic: Park unless told otherwise.
• Engine on or off? Keep it on (or EV/HEV in Ready) to prevent auto-braking and maintain power steering/brakes.
• What if my car exits Neutral by itself? Use Car Wash/Free Roll/Neutral Hold; keep seatbelt on and doors closed.
• Will AEB trigger? It can. Disable AEB and rear braking for the wash; re-enable afterward.
• Are brushes safe? Modern soft materials are generally safe for intact clear coats, but touchless is safer for wraps, matte paint, and delicate trims.
• Can convertibles go through? With a fully latched top and sealed windows, yes—check your manual and the wash’s policy.

If your vehicle’s manual conflicts with posted wash instructions, defer to the vehicle manual and consult an attendant for an appropriate lane or method.

Summary

Set your car up to roll or park as the wash requires, disable features that might brake or swipe automatically, and follow the posted instructions. In tunnels, Neutral (or Car Wash/Free Roll) with hands off and foot off is the norm; in in-bay systems, Park and wait. Re-enable assists and do quick post-wash checks before you drive away.