Skip to main content

Your Privacy Preferences

El Car Wash uses cookies to keep this site working, to understand how it is used, and to show you advertising with our partners. Letting those partners use your information for targeted advertising may count as "selling" or "sharing" your personal information under state privacy laws such as the CCPA/CPRA. These cookies are on unless you opt out, and you can do that at any time, free of charge, without affecting your use of the site.

You can change your choice later using the "Your Privacy Choices" button in the footer of this website. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for more information.

CAN TESLAS GO THROUGH A CAR WASH?

A lot of questions are coming up about electric vehicles and car washes. Electric vehicles can be driven through touchless and soft-touch automatic drive through car washes when owners follow the manufacturer's instructions correctly. Teslas, and most other EVs, are built with waterproof electrical components that are tightly sealed to tolerate rain and a car wash. If you think about it, it would not be logical to build a vehicle that cannot get wet.

Can Teslas go through a car wash

What is Car Wash Mode on a Tesla?

Teslas and other electric vehicles are made very differently than regular fuel operated vehicles. Therefore, you must follow all instructions provided by the vehicle manufacturer before proceeding with a car wash. Below are the steps for turning on the Tesla Car Wash Mode.

How to Turn on Tesla Car Wash Mode

  1. The begin the process, the vehicle should be in parking mode and not charging.
  2. Go to the Controls menu on your touchscreen and tap on the car icon found at the bottom left
  3. Search for the SERVICE tab
  4. Choose 'CAR WASH MODE'
  5. Watch closely to make sure the CAR WASH MODE has been activated

What Does the Tesla Car Wash Mode do to the Vehicle?

When your Tesla's 'Car Wash Mode' has been activated, all windows will close, the charge port will lock, automatic windshield wipers will be disabled. Other automatic features will be disabled as well, such as walk-away door locking, Sentry Mode, and parking sensors. The vehicle's suspension will also be lowered to make cleaning the roof easier.

How to Put Your Tesla into Neutral for Driving through the Car Wash

When your car wash technician asks you to put your Tesla into neutral mode, you will instead 'ENABLE FREE ROLL' that is found within the ' Car Wash Mode ' feature which will prevent the vehicle from automatically applying the parking brake.

To Activate ENABLE FREE ROLL:

  1. Press the brake pedal
  2. Then select 'ENABLE FREE ROLL' within the 'CAR WASH MODE' menu

To De-Activate ENABLE FREE ROLL:

  1. Return to 'CAR WASH MODE' on your touch screen in the SERVICE tab'

The Car Wash Mode will automatically deactivate once you begin to drive away and exceed 9 mph.

Become an El Car Wash Monthly Unlimited Member and Always Drive Clean!

At El Car Wash , we understand the value of your Tesla and any other type of electric vehicle. We are the largest and most premium express car wash company in Florida , and we are now in Michigan ! Each and every one of our stores strives to provide the best car wash experience possible! All of our car wash technicians are carefully trained to provide the best car wash possible for all types of vehicles, even convertibles ! We only ask that you be sure to follow your Tesla or other EV manufacturers' guidelines before beginning a car wash with us.

When you become an El Car Wash Monthly Unlimited Car Wash Member , you will have the ability to wash your vehicle up to once per day, every day, for less than a $1 per day. Members have access to wash at all El Car Wash stores throughout Michigan and have access to the fast VIP lane for automatic wash. We currently have locations in Brighton and Madison Heights with new stores opening soon in Novi , Sterling Heights , and Warren . And many more are on the way!

El Car Wash provides the use of FREE vacuums, and our car wash club members also receive other great freebies, including dash wipes, mat cleaners, air freshener, and glass cleaner. When you go unlimited, you also become eligible for entry into our Monthly Lotto . Winners receive some excellent prizes, such as gift cards, event tickets, free car washes and more!

El Car Wash stores operate with eco-friendly and state-of-the-art equipment that recycles most of the water we use. The products we use are also all biodegradable. Stop by any El Car Wash store and try us out today, SAVE BIG andAlways Drive Clean !