Can an EV go to an automatic car wash facility? - Full guide

Can an EV go to an automatic car wash facility? - Full guide

Electric vehicles (EVs) are fast rising in popularity. But just because they are becoming popular does not mean EV owners fully understand the maintenance that goes with it. Take car washing for instance. In the UK, 42 percent of Brits are uncertain if EVs can be driven through a car wash. Here in the Philippines this segment is still in a budding stage and is yet to gain mainstream popularity in terms of private use. However, there are several EVs plying our roads used for public transport already. Bur if you are one of the rare EV owners wondering the same thing, read on.

Automatic car wash for EV

Kinds of automatic car wash

First things first, what do we mean by automatic car wash? This is, as the name suggests, washers that do the cleaning automatically through a set of systems. And despite the proliferation and popularity of hand wash car washes, there are many automatic car washes around Metro Manila. Here are the most common kinds:

  • Rollover system— This type of automatic car wash is also known as an in-bay car wash as the customer would pull up their vehicle into the car wash bay. The car is parked while rollers go over the car, back and forth, with a soft cloth and or a high-pressure spray. The entire process is done automatically with little to no work for the customer and can clean a vehicle in a short amount of time.
  • Tunnel system— This type of car wash works with the same principles as the rollover system. The only difference is, the vehicles moved through a tunnel via a conveyor belt. Different areas of the tunnel have different cleaning stages: rinsing the car, spraying shampoo and or cleaning material, rollers with a cloth to clean the vehicle via friction, then blowers to dry your car. The tunnel system can clean your vehicle more thoroughly.
  • Touchless wash system— This works like the aforementioned two but uses chemical cleaners, pressure washers and pressurized air in place of bristles and brushes. It is also fully automatic, cleans your car relatively fast, and minimizes scratching on your car exterior as opposed to the two.  

Automatic car wash for EV

Advantages of automatic car wash

  • Faster than a handwash.
  • It requires less water.
  • Standardized cleaning process— you get the same level of cleaning, every time.

Disadvantages of automatic car wash

  • More expensive than handwash service.
  • May not clean deep-seated dirt that handwash can pay extra attention to.

YES! You can take an EV to an automatic car wash

Going back to our question, can EVs roll into an automatic car wash? Short answer, Absolutely! Though electricity and water don’t mix, electric cars are safe to take through car washes.

This is because these EVs are built and designed just like their regular petrol or diesel engine counterparts. Automatic washers just wash the exteriors of your car so there’s little damage it can do to your EV. And in all cases, the high-voltage components of the EVs are hidden deep inside the body works and sealed off to ensure that the vehicle is safe for use in whatever kind of weather. 

Automatic car wash for EV

Besides, all-electric vehicles go through the same rigorous tests done by both manufacturers and government regulatory agencies, as any petrol or diesel engine vehicles, before they get approval to be sold commercially. One of these tests is called the soak test where vehicles are subjected to intense ‘rain’ and ‘flood’ simulation in the lab to check for potential leaks and to ensure that systems are watertight and safe.

Top tips to consider before rolling your EV in an automatic car wash:

Now that you know you can take your EV to the car wash, here are some pro tips and precautionary measures for your consideration to prolong the luster of your car exterior and life of your EV.

  • Make sure your electric car has enough battery power before pulling into a car wash so that the electric motor can be used during the wash. 
  • See to it that all automatic functions such as the windscreen wipers are disabled.
  • If going through a car wash tunnel, your EV’s ignition must be turned on, the engine in neutral, and the emergency brake disabled. This is so that the drag train can pull on it in the car wash tunnel.
  • Just like in a regular car, make sure to fold your side mirrors, antenna removed (unless it’s a shark’s fin), and other protruding elements (such as a bike rack, roof racks, etc.) are removed to avoid damage to these exterior accessories and ensure thorough cleaning of your car. 

Automatic car wash for electric vehicle

  • Always doublecheck that all car windows, sunroof, and doors are properly closed to prevent water from seeping inside the car.
  • If going through a rollover and jet wash type systems, it is recommended that you switch off your engine and engage your emergency brake.
  • If you are in a queue, and the vehicle in front of you looks like it got beaten up from a weekend of off-roading, it is best to give up your place in the line and come back another time. Though automatic car washes of all types are “self-clean,” it will take a few cycles to thoroughly rinse the brushes or soft cloth of excessive grit. When left in the system, these dirt particles can damage your car’s finish.
  • Evaluate the car wash before committing to it. If It looks clean and modern outside, chances are, the systems inside are kept in proper maintenance too and that the facility takes their cleaning business seriously.
  • Be choosy when paying for extra services. The spray-on wax and buffing are great but not essential in terms of keeping your car clean so do those sparingly. Same with the undercarriage cleaning which is recommended to be undertaken only a couple of times a year.

Automatic car wash

Word of caution

In general, it is perfectly safe to take your electric vehicle to an automatic car wash, be it a touchless wash, tunnel, or roller type. Automatic washers will not damage the electrical system, electric motor, or the batteries of your EV as these systems are sealed to prevent water intrusion. Just make sure to read your car guide or owner’s manual for any specification that the car manufacturer may have for your EV. For instance, Tesla recommends touchless car washes only and to avoid high-pressure power washer on the cameras and parking sensors.

Also read: Top 5 electric vehicles on sale in PH

Sell your car at the best price

Verified and genuine buyers Verified and genuine buyers
Free listing Free listing
List your car

MIAS 2024

You might also be interested in

  • Upcoming
  • Jetour T2
    Jetour T2
    ₱2.498 - 2.598 Million Expected Price Manila
    Expected Launch May, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Mitsubishi Strada 2024
    Mitsubishi Strada 2024
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch May, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Omoda 5 EV
    Omoda 5 EV
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Apr, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Lynk & Co 06
    Lynk & Co 06
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Apr, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Lynk & Co 01
    Lynk & Co 01
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Apr, 2024 Alert Me When Launched

Latest Car Videos on Zigwheels

Zigwheels
  • 2024 BAIC Lineup and Price Guide | Zigwheels.Ph
    2024 BAIC Lineup and Price Guide | Zigwheels.Ph
    27 Mar, 2024 .
  • Toyota RAV4 LTD HEV Review | Zigwheels.Ph
    Toyota RAV4 LTD HEV Review | Zigwheels.Ph
    27 Mar, 2024 .
  • 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross vs Xpander Comparo | Zigwheels.Ph
    2024 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross vs Xpander Comparo | Zigwheels.Ph
    22 Mar, 2024 .
  • 2024 Hyundai Stargazer X First Drive | Zigwheels.Ph
    2024 Hyundai Stargazer X First Drive | Zigwheels.Ph
    21 Mar, 2024 .
  • Huge Updates for the KPop Superstar! | 2024 Kia Seltos First Drive | Zigwheels.Ph
    Huge Updates for the KPop Superstar! | 2024 Kia Seltos First Drive | Zigwheels.Ph
    19 Mar, 2024 .
  • The MPV Benchmark | 2024 Toyota Innova E Review | Zigwheels.Ph
    The MPV Benchmark | 2024 Toyota Innova E Review | Zigwheels.Ph
    13 Mar, 2024 .
  • A Low-Key Economy Car?! | 2024 Subaru BRZ Review | Zigwheels.Ph
    A Low-Key Economy Car?! | 2024 Subaru BRZ Review | Zigwheels.Ph
    12 Mar, 2024 .
  • 2024 Toyota Hilux GR-S First Look | Carmudi Philippines
    2024 Toyota Hilux GR-S First Look | Carmudi Philippines
    07 Mar, 2024 .
  • 2024 Honda Civic Type R Review | Carmudi Philippines
    2024 Honda Civic Type R Review | Carmudi Philippines
    07 Mar, 2024 .
  • 2023 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series Review | Carmudi Philippines
    2023 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series Review | Carmudi Philippines
    07 Mar, 2024 .
Watch Car Videos

Car Articles From Carmudi

  • journal
  • advice
  • financing
  • insurance
  • PH oil firms to impose 'big-time' price hikes this week
    PH oil firms to impose 'big-time' price hikes this week
    Ruben Manahan IV, Mar 25, 2024
  • Masuda to helm Nissan PH
    Masuda to helm Nissan PH
    Ruben Manahan IV, Mar 25, 2024
  • GAC PH launches M6 Pro
    GAC PH launches M6 Pro
    Paulo Papa, Mar 25, 2024
  • Hyundai to unveil N to PH in Apr.
    Hyundai to unveil N to PH in Apr.
    Ruben Manahan IV, Mar 22, 2024
  • MIAS 2024 eyed to be a 'memorable one'
    MIAS 2024 eyed to be a 'memorable one'
    Ruben Manahan IV, Mar 21, 2024
  • How intense heat damages your car
    How intense heat damages your car
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, May 08, 2020
  • How Often Should I Clean My Air Conditioning System?
    How Often Should I Clean My Air Conditioning System?
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, Jul 21, 2017
  • How Can You Avoid Back Pain When Driving?
    How Can You Avoid Back Pain When Driving?
    Margarett Escano, Sep 15, 2017
  • How to Buy a Family Car
    How to Buy a Family Car
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, Jul 21, 2017
  • How to Test Drive a Car Before Buying
    How to Test Drive a Car Before Buying
    Wilbert Tan, Jul 21, 2017
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Car Financing
    Advantages and Disadvantages of Car Financing
    Wilbert Tan, Jul 21, 2017
  • Most Common Car Financing Issues & How to Solve Them
    Most Common Car Financing Issues & How to Solve Them
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, Jul 21, 2017
  • What Is Effective Interest Rate
    What Is Effective Interest Rate
    Wilbert Tan, Jul 21, 2017
  • What Is a Secured Car Loan?
    What Is a Secured Car Loan?
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, Jul 21, 2017
  • Car Financing vs. Car Loans
    Car Financing vs. Car Loans
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, Jul 21, 2017
  • Is My Address Making My Car Insurance Expensive?
    Is My Address Making My Car Insurance Expensive?
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, Jul 21, 2017
  • Everything You Need to Know About GAP Insurance
    Everything You Need to Know About GAP Insurance
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, Jul 21, 2017
  • Car Insurance for Newlyweds- Combining Policies
    Car Insurance for Newlyweds- Combining Policies
    Wilbert Tan, Jul 21, 2017
  • How to Calculate Your Premium
    How to Calculate Your Premium
    Wilbert Tan, Jul 21, 2017
  • The Different Levels of Car Insurance in the Philippines
    The Different Levels of Car Insurance in the Philippines
    Cherryl Anne Cruz, Jul 21, 2017

Compare

You can add 3 variants maximum*