Will the car move if it's in P mode during automatic car wash?
3 Answers
Automatic car wash in P mode will make the car move. Using P mode during automatic car wash can damage the car. There's no need to engage the handbrake; neutral gear should be used instead. Here are the advantages of fully automatic car wash machines, also known as touchless automatic car wash machines: 1. Touch-free washing without scrubbing, protecting the car paint. Traditional car washing processes usually involve brushes, sponges, or other materials that come into contact with the car body for cleaning. 2. Sand and mud particles on the car body are easily utilized. When washing a particularly dirty car body, sand and mud particles can easily get mixed in and rub against the car paint, acting like abrasive particles in sandpaper.
As someone who frequently works on cars myself, I have to say putting your car in Park (P) mode for an automatic car wash is practically asking for trouble. The P gear is the parking gear, where internal gears lock the wheels to prevent movement—it's designed to stop your car from rolling on slopes. But automatic car washes rely on conveyor belts to push your car forward. If you leave it in P, the conveyor belt forcibly drags the locked wheels, creating massive resistance that can crush or warp the transmission gears. Once, when I was helping a neighbor with his car, he did exactly this and ended up spending over 2,000 on transmission repairs. The correct approach is to turn off the engine before washing and shift to Neutral (N) mode. This allows the conveyor belt to smoothly push the car forward while the wheels rotate freely, minimizing wear. If the equipment requires it, releasing the handbrake is also crucial—it protects your car and saves you headaches.
I've been driving for over a decade, and every time I use an automatic car wash, I must shift to neutral. Although putting it in Park (P) won't start or move the car, the rollers of the car wash machine will forcibly push the vehicle. With the wheels locked and being dragged hard, it could damage the drivetrain or brake system. Once, I was lazy and left it in P, and during the wash, the car made alarming creaking noises—I thought a major accident had happened. Fortunately, I stopped in time. Now, I strictly follow the car wash steps: drive onto the conveyor belt, turn off the engine, shift to Neutral (N), release the handbrake, and close all windows and doors. This way, the car moves smoothly without any issues. Remember, safety first—don’t let a small mistake cost you big in repairs.
