drive through car wash

radioprius1 · 10-02-2009, 02:35 PM

This freaks me out about going through a car wash now!

David Beale · 10-02-2009, 02:48 PM

I'm pretty sure the car will shut off before the traction battery is fully discharged. Kind of the same "emergency off" as you can run into if you run out of fuel and try to run the car in electric only mode to get to a gas station. It will eventually shut off. I hear you get about 3-4 restart tries before something possibly "bad" happens (I think the car has to be reset to get it to try to start again). Note that when you are "fully discharged" (no bars left on the display - so both purple ones have gone out) the battery is still over 30% charged.

This shutoff might be a "bad thing" in a carwash though, as the car will go into "P". Carwashes have an "emergency stop" (with several buttons conveniently placed), and if the attendant is not asleep he/she will hit it hopefully -before- there is a bump of two cars.

Just make sure the A/C is off and I'm sure you will be fine for the 5 min it takes to roll through.

If you had the headlamps on shut them off, as they too are a "significant drain". Open and close the drivers door to get the lights to shut off once the switch is operated. For those Canadians with DRLs, you -can- get them to shut off, but it's not easy. The e-brake will keep the lights from coming on, and you can find a level of e-brake engagement that will keep the DRLs from turning on yet still allow the car to move easily. Applying the e-brake as you enter the carwash won't work. It has to be applied when the car is turned on. As DRL draw is less than 1/2 normal headlamp draw, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

garygid · 10-03-2009, 05:53 PM

Purple traction battery bars?
I see only white on my 2010.

But, you should leave the car On, in Neutral, Windows up, lights, radio, and air Off, antenna removed (unscrewed), the car not locked, doors closed, with the fob (and possibly yourself) in the car for the car-wash ... right?

PriusRos · 10-03-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garygid

Purple traction battery bars?
I see only white on my 2010.

But, you should leave the car On, in Neutral, Windows up, lights, radio, and air Off, antenna removed (unscrewed), the car not locked, doors closed, with the fob (and possibly yourself) in the car for the car-wash ... right?

Right - but if I am in the car with the fob I would lock the car because the water on the door sensors can possibly lock/unlock the car.

garygid · 10-03-2009, 07:31 PM

Good thought, but the car cannot be locked from the outside (I think) when the fob is in the car.

What if you are not allowed to ride through the car wash?

PriusRos · 10-03-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garygid

Good thought, but the car cannot be locked from the outside (I think) when the fob is in the car.

What if you are not allowed to ride through the car wash?

I was rinsing off my car by hand and the fob was in the car. Every time the water hit the sensors, the car would emit a long beep. So, you're right that you can't lock the car from outside when the fob is in the car, so it warns you with a beep. However, if it's locked, at least you don't get the warning beep.

If you aren't in the car, I'd advise the attendant to lock it. If it goes through by itself (I don't know if that can be the case), take the fob with you.

carnut · 10-07-2009, 02:09 PM

Can't you just turn it off and NOT hit the "Park" button?

mgb4tim · 10-07-2009, 02:16 PM

honestly, the 3 minutes it takes to go through a touchless car wash killing the battery is scaring you guys? And you are locking it to go through the car wash if you aren't in it?

Wow, I can only imagine what you'll do to the bird that poops on it.

PriusRos · 10-07-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgb4tim

honestly, the 3 minutes it takes to go through a touchless car wash killing the battery is scaring you guys? And you are locking it to go through the car wash if you aren't in it?

Wow, I can only imagine what you'll do to the bird that poops on it.

So far, I haven't been able to catch the bird that poops all over my car! I'll teach him a lesson, once I get him!

The only reason I'm recommending locking it is to prevent the water spray on the door lock sensors from making it beep. What's wrong with that?

garygid · 10-07-2009, 09:45 PM

Generally, the car must be in neutral to go through a car wash (all wheels rotating freely), NOT in"Park", right?

I think the Prius needs to be ON ("engines" able to run) in order to remain in "N".

10-02-2009, 02:35 PM	#11
radioprius1 Dr Curious Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 486 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 138 Thanked 48 Times in 36 Posts Friends: 0	Re: drive through car wash This freaks me out about going through a car wash now!

10-02-2009, 02:48 PM	#12
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 2,116 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 3 Thanked 77 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 0	Re: drive through car wash I'm pretty sure the car will shut off before the traction battery is fully discharged. Kind of the same "emergency off" as you can run into if you run out of fuel and try to run the car in electric only mode to get to a gas station. It will eventually shut off. I hear you get about 3-4 restart tries before something possibly "bad" happens (I think the car has to be reset to get it to try to start again). Note that when you are "fully discharged" (no bars left on the display - so both purple ones have gone out) the battery is still over 30% charged. This shutoff might be a "bad thing" in a carwash though, as the car will go into "P". Carwashes have an "emergency stop" (with several buttons conveniently placed), and if the attendant is not asleep he/she will hit it hopefully -before- there is a bump of two cars. Just make sure the A/C is off and I'm sure you will be fine for the 5 min it takes to roll through. If you had the headlamps on shut them off, as they too are a "significant drain". Open and close the drivers door to get the lights to shut off once the switch is operated. For those Canadians with DRLs, you -can- get them to shut off, but it's not easy. The e-brake will keep the lights from coming on, and you can find a level of e-brake engagement that will keep the DRLs from turning on yet still allow the car to move easily. Applying the e-brake as you enter the carwash won't work. It has to be applied when the car is turned on. As DRL draw is less than 1/2 normal headlamp draw, I wouldn't worry too much about it. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius. Last edited by David Beale; 10-02-2009 at 03:00 PM.

10-03-2009, 05:53 PM	#13
garygid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 265 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts Friends: 2	Re: drive through car wash Purple traction battery bars? I see only white on my 2010. But, you should leave the car On, in Neutral, Windows up, lights, radio, and air Off, antenna removed (unscrewed), the car not locked, doors closed, with the fob (and possibly yourself) in the car for the car-wash ... right? Last edited by garygid; 10-03-2009 at 06:12 PM.

10-03-2009, 07:31 PM	#15
garygid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 265 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts Friends: 2	Re: drive through car wash Good thought, but the car cannot be locked from the outside (I think) when the fob is in the car. What if you are not allowed to ride through the car wash?

10-07-2009, 02:09 PM	#17
carnut Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 4 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: drive through car wash Can't you just turn it off and NOT hit the "Park" button?

10-07-2009, 02:16 PM	#18
mgb4tim Noob Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 403 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 33 Thanked 25 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 0	Re: drive through car wash honestly, the 3 minutes it takes to go through a touchless car wash killing the battery is scaring you guys? And you are locking it to go through the car wash if you aren't in it? Wow, I can only imagine what you'll do to the bird that poops on it.

10-07-2009, 09:45 PM	#20
garygid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 265 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts Friends: 2	Re: drive through car wash Generally, the car must be in neutral to go through a car wash (all wheels rotating freely), NOT in"Park", right? I think the Prius needs to be ON ("engines" able to run) in order to remain in "N".

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