Does Putting the Car in Park During an Automatic Car Wash Damage the Vehicle?
2 Answers
Tunnel-type automatic car washes can damage the vehicle if left in Park (P); instead, Neutral (N) should be used without engaging the handbrake. Below are some key points about car washing: 1. Overview: While washing a car may seem simple, doing it quickly, thoroughly, and to the customer's satisfaction is quite challenging. However, car washing services are a crucial method for auto detailing shops to attract business and retain customers. If the auto detailing industry is divided into two segments, car washing represents the front end, while detailing and decoration constitute the back end. Professional and efficient car washing leaves a positive impression on customers, laying a solid foundation of trust for selling other automotive products and services. 2. Precautions: Washing a car under direct sunlight can harm the paint. Many car owners prefer washing their cars under the sun, believing the water will dry quickly. In reality, water droplets act like magnifying lenses, creating localized high temperatures on the paint's surface, which can cause the paint to lose its gloss. Applying wax under such conditions may also result in uneven coloration. Therefore, it's best to wash and wax the car in a shaded area. If that's not possible, choose an overcast day or the early morning or evening hours on a sunny day.
Regarding the issue of shifting into P gear during automatic car washes, I often encounter questions from car owners. The P gear is the parking gear, which locks the transmission to prevent the car from rolling, and this design is excellent. However, on an automatic car wash conveyor, the belt pushes the wheels to move. If the P gear is engaged, the internal gears of the transmission will be forcibly pulled, which over time could cause wear or even breakage. I've seen many such cases during my time repairing cars, and transmission repairs can be quite costly. Therefore, to avoid damaging the car, it's recommended to shift into neutral (N gear), allowing the wheels to rotate freely so the conveyor can push them easily without adding extra strain. Additionally, don't forget to turn off the electronic parking brake; otherwise, locked wheels could wear out the brake system. Developing a good habit of checking the gear position before each car wash with these simple steps can save you both hassle and money.
