How to Shift Gears for an Automatic Car Wash?

[DelJeremiah]

For an automatic car wash, first drive in with the D gear, stop and press the brake to shift to N gear, then release the brake. Introduction to Automatic Transmission: Automatic transmission, as the name suggests, does not require the driver to manually shift gears. The vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on the driving speed and traffic conditions. Generally, an automatic transmission car has six gear positions, from top to bottom: P, R, N, D, S, L. Principle of Automatic Transmission: The engine's power is transmitted through the gearbox, which is also a key factor affecting fuel consumption. Generally, an automatic transmission consumes more than 10% more fuel than a manual transmission. Whether manual or automatic, the more gears there are, the more fuel-efficient the transmission is.

[VanPresley]

Every time I go to an automatic car wash, I follow this procedure: first, drive the car onto the conveyor belt and come to a complete stop. The key is to remember to shift the gear into N (Neutral), then release the brake but keep your foot off the accelerator. The car will be moved along by the conveyor belt—during this time, don’t turn the steering wheel or engage the handbrake. When the machine starts spraying water midway, the car might shake a bit, which is completely normal; just keep it in neutral. Once the wash is done and the exit light turns on, shift to D (Drive) and drive out. One time, I forgot to fold in the side mirrors, and they got knocked askew by the brushes—now I always check the mirrors before queuing. The whole process is straightforward; the conveyor belt does most of the work—just make sure you don’t shift into the wrong gear.

[LeJanelle]

Last week when I went for a car wash, I specifically consulted the staff. They told me the automatic car wash machine process is as follows: Before entering the conveyor belt, close all windows and fold in the side mirrors; after the vehicle is positioned, shift to Neutral (N) and release the brake, allowing the wheels to rotate with the conveyor belt. The key point is not to engage the handbrake, as it could damage the braking system; also, do not shift to Park (P), as that would lock the wheels. Staff will guide you from the side, and when the car exits the tunnel after washing, shift to Drive (D) and gently press the accelerator to leave. This operation protects the transmission and ensures safety. My family's SUV gets washed this way once every month.

[BriellaRose]

As a veteran driver with ten years of experience, my routine for automatic car washes is: drive into the preparation area with the engine off, wait for staff instructions to start the vehicle, then shift to Neutral (N) gear. This gear is the safest as it allows the wheels to rotate freely without engine resistance. Keep your hands off the steering wheel during the process, letting the brushes rotate and clean on their own. When foam is sprayed and water rinses, the car may move—this is just the conveyor belt pushing it, so don’t panic and hit the brakes. Once the green light turns on after washing, shift to Drive (D) gear and exit. The entire process takes just five minutes.

[ORowan]

The car wash at the gas station near my house is cheap, so every time I go, I follow a three-step routine: first, I fold in the side mirrors while queuing; then, I shift to N gear and release the foot brake when entering the conveyor belt area; finally, I shift to D gear and drive off at the exit. The technician told me that most automatic car washes nowadays require the engine to be running, but it's crucial to shift to neutral to cut off power output. I've specifically observed the tire condition—when the conveyor belt moves, the tires rotate smoothly in neutral. Also, it's essential to close the windows tightly. Once, I saw a neighboring car with an open sunroof get drenched like a drowned rat.