Should the Engine Be Turned Off for Automatic Car Wash?
2 Answers
Automatic car wash does not require turning off the engine. When the engine is off, the car's steering wheels are locked, making it impossible for the conveyor belt to pull the car. It is recommended to keep the car in neutral or N gear and avoid turning off the engine to ensure smooth towing without damaging the steering system. The process of automatic car wash: It follows a pre-designed program where the entire operation is performed by machines. The car is driven onto the conveyor belt and moves forward through stages such as washing, foaming, wiping, and drying. Duplex car wash machine: In this setup, the car remains stationary while the machine moves around it. In this case, the engine can be turned off and the handbrake applied.
I often go to automatic car washes and feel it's necessary to turn off the engine, otherwise the risks are significant. If the engine is still running, the powerful water jets and brushes of the car wash might cause the car to shake, and if not careful, the car could move, potentially hitting the equipment or causing an accident. After turning off the engine and shifting to P (Park), the car stays stable and doesn't move, ensuring a cleaner and safer wash. Once, I forgot to turn off the engine, and the wipers suddenly activated, scratching the windshield, which cost me an extra 200 yuan in repairs. Now I've learned my lesson—before every automatic car wash, I turn off the engine and close the windows, not only saving a bit on fuel but also extending the car's lifespan. Details determine everything, and safety always comes first.
