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Electronic key at car wash

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by RubberToe, Jan 22, 2013.

  1. RubberToe

    RubberToe Junior Member

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    All,
    Didn't see a specific thread on this, and I know that someone here knows this off the top of their head. In reading through the manual, it isn't entirely clear based on the various electronic key instructions and warnings just how to handle the car wash. The most confusing part is the idea that large amounts of water can lock/unlock the doors.

    I'm guessing that the procedure would be this:
    1. Pull up
    2. Put vehicle in Park
    3. Unlock all doors
    4. Leave electronic key in vehicle, maybe cup holder?
    5. Exit vehicle, not locking door
    5a. I know if you lock the door and walk away you get the alarm sound.
    6. Car wash guys vacuum car
    7. They drive to start of wash line, then I guess leave it in Neutral for the wash?
    8. At end of wash line, they drive it to parking space and put it in Park
    9. Commence drying/detailing the vehicle
    10. At end, you get back in and drive off.

    Is this about right?

    RT
     
    #1 RubberToe, Jan 22, 2013
  2. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    When I take my car to a car wash, I put it in park & leave the fob in the cup holder--then get back in when it's finished. I don't put any more thought into it than that!
     
    #2 stream, Jan 22, 2013
  3. mjones12

    mjones12 Member

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    Neither do I. But when I got my first hybrid (a Camry) in 1997, the guys in the car wash could never figure out how to restart and move the car after it came out of the wash bay. I had to be standing right there to tell them to put their foot on the brake and press the start button. Now they have no problem, I guess because they deal with so many more hybrids these days.
     
    #3 mjones12, Jan 23, 2013
  4. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    Can the doors be locked from outside of the car with the FOB inside? I think 'no,' but will try this evening.
     
    #4 mad-dog-one, Jan 23, 2013
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    No, they can't. ;)

    I have experienced the doors locking/unlocking when washing my Prius with the smartkey fob in my pocket. Splashing a large amount of water over the door handle often triggers the locking/unlocking action.

    If the OP is worried about getting locked out, they can always remove and keep the manual hard key with them while the Prius is in the car wash.
     
    #5 xliderider, Jan 23, 2013
  6. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    Wow...Back to the Future! Are you sure it wasn't a Delorean?

    (I think you meant your first car with push button start and not a hybrid?? The Japanese gen 1 of the Prius came out in 1997 and the US version in 2000 (MY 2001). The hybrid Camry first came out in ~2006.)

    Mike
     
    #6 3PriusMike, Jan 23, 2013
  7. pineprius

    pineprius 15th Hole #4

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    I suspect Mjones12 meant 2007 Camry Hybrid (with smart key) like one of my cars. My experience with it back then was exactly the same as his. The car wash guys were easily confused. (My diplomatic way of expressing the level of service.)
     
    #7 pineprius, Jan 25, 2013
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