Car wash with glass roof on the 3?

[ChrisH]

Has anyone taken their model 3 through a touchless or regular automatic car wash?

The high powered blow dryers worry me in terms of potential glass roof cracking.

 

[DeckardsGirl]

I have put my model 3 through the touchless car wash - would never do the regular one! I saw no issues with a touchless but now you have me worried

 

[ChrisH]

I have put my model 3 through the touchless car wash - would never do the regular one! I saw no issues with a touchless but now you have me worried

Lol sorry. I think I create my own anxiety sometimes. The reason I thought if it is that my wife’s car has a windshield crack on it and when I took it through the touchless the crack expanded a little bit. Different situation because there was already a crack, but still! Has me a bit nervous about that huge piece of glass!

 

[bikeandsail]

My Model X with a mostly glass roof has been though many touchless washes no problem.

 

[SSedan]

completely irrational

 

[ChrisH]

completely irrational

Good lol

 

[ChrisH]

My Model X with a mostly glass roof has been though many touchless washes no problem.

Glad to hear it.

 

[Snow Drift]

For car wash requiring you to exit and keep the car in Neutral to roll: How does everyone prevent the car from going into Park once you exit with the key (phone)?

Tow mode?

Valet Key Card?

 

[ChrisH]

For car wash requiring you to exit and keep the car in Neutral to roll: How does everyone prevent the car from going into Park once you exit with the key (phone)?

Tow mode?

Valet Key Card?

There are auto car washes that require you to exit the vehicle? I’ve never seen that before.

 

[Snow Drift]

There are auto car washes that require you to exit the vehicle? I’ve never seen that before.

We have car washes that are brushless and instead have people inside that initially scrub before machines spray or rinse. The car is put on a conveyor (not a belt, but a roller pushes the tires), and you have to exit. Then it comes out and the car is detailed by a person.

 

[Candleflame]

we have those in the UK but you usually sit in your car while you roll through it.

 

[mcghee33]

My Tesla Service center runs all their Tesla's through touchless car washes.

 

[israndy]

I never thought about that. How DO you keep the car in neutral w/o it trying to outsmart you when you get out. My local full service touches car wash that i use a couple of times a year has that automatic machine that tows the car thru.

-Randy

 

[Snow Drift]

I never thought about that. How DO you keep the car in neutral w/o it trying to outsmart you when you get out. My local full service touches car wash that i use a couple of times a year has that automatic machine that tows the car thru.

-Randy

I think Transport Mode (tow mode) is the primary option. (Owner Manual Page 143-144):

"Transport Mode keeps Model 3 in Neutral (which disengages the parking brake) while preventing damage to the rear motor as the wheels turn when pulling Model 3 onto a flatbed truck."

To activate Transport Mode:

1. Shift into Park.
2. Chock the tires or otherwise ensure Model 3 is stable.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, then on the touchscreen touch Controls > Service > Towing. A message displays reminding you of how to properly transport Model 3.
4. Hold the Transport Mode button until it turns blue. Model 3 is now free-rolling and can be rolled or winched.

To cancel Transport Mode, shift Model 3 into Park.

Caution: Transport Mode automatically cancels and the parking brake is applied if Model 3 is rolled faster than 5 mph
(8 km/h), 12V power is low, or if Transport Mode has been continuously enabled for 20 minutes. Model 3 sounds its horn to warn you that Transport Mode is about to cancel."​

 

[wrf2e]

I think Transport Mode (tow mode) is the primary option. (Owner Manual Page 143-144):

"Transport Mode keeps Model 3 in Neutral (which disengages the parking brake) while preventing damage to the rear motor as the wheels turn when pulling Model 3 onto a flatbed truck."

To activate Transport Mode:

1. Shift into Park.
2. Chock the tires or otherwise ensure Model 3 is stable.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, then on the touchscreen touch Controls > Service > Towing. A message displays reminding you of how to properly transport Model 3.
4. Hold the Transport Mode button until it turns blue. Model 3 is now free-rolling and can be rolled or winched.

To cancel Transport Mode, shift Model 3 into Park.

Caution: Transport Mode automatically cancels and the parking brake is applied if Model 3 is rolled faster than 5 mph
(8 km/h), 12V power is low, or if Transport Mode has been continuously enabled for 20 minutes. Model 3 sounds its horn to warn you that Transport Mode is about to cancel."​

This sounds pretty complicated. The car wash I like to use is one where you get out. The problem is, you get out and give the car to an employee who details the inside. They then drive the car around to the wash. I would be very nervous about making sure they understand these steps. Can you leave the key card in place on the center console and then just shift to neutral and exit the car?

 

[Snow Drift]

Can you leave the key card in place on the center console and then just shift to neutral and exit the car?

I think just lifting off the drivers seat puts the car in park. So I don’t think that will work.

 

[israndy]

Sounds like an issue for Tesla to fix. Are they reading this forum? Is there a site like Apple's apple.com/feedback

-Randy

 

[Snow Drift]

Sounds like an issue for Tesla to fix. Are they reading this forum? Is there a site like Apple's apple.com/feedback

-Randy

It’s not new. The S/X have the same issue. Google and you will even see threads on the official forum from years past.

 

[wrf2e]

It’s not new. The S/X have the same issue. Google and you will even see threads on the official forum from years past.

Sounds like I will either convince the car wash to allow me to stay in the car, or find a new car wash. I cant get the image of watching my car getting destroyed from the observation windows out of my head.

 

[dgpcolorado]

Future update: "Carwash Mode?"