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.

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.  

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. 

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. 

• 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.

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