What to Know Before Taking Your Tesla Through an Automated Car Wash

Tesla's Car Wash Mode makes it easy.

Connor Hoffman | 

Jun 13, 2024 | 3 min read

Tesla

Water and electricity don't mix, but don't be nervous to take your Tesla, or any new electric vehicle (EV), through an automatic car wash. Using an automatic car wash can be daunting, with all the settings, warnings, and beeps that might go off.

Thanks to EV technology, useful settings such as Tesla's Car Wash Mode allow you to clean your car easily. This can ensure that you keep your Tesla clean and safe. It also makes going through a touchless car wash even more effortless.

Engage Car Wash Mode to Make It Easy

Tesla EVs have an easy-to-use mode for taking your car to an automated car wash. You can enable Tesla's Car Wash Mode through the car's touchscreen. Navigate to the controls menu — the front-facing car logo on the bottom left — then go to the service menu to select Car Wash Mode.

This setting automatically closes all windows; locks the charge port; and turns off automatic windshield wipers, Sentry Mode, walk-away door locking, and parking sensor chimes. Additionally, using Enable Free Roll in a Tesla allows the car to remain in neutral and won't apply automatic emergency braking when going through a car wash.

If you don't select Car Wash Mode in your Tesla or forget to, it's essential to ensure the charge port is locked and closed securely. Tesla states in its owner's manual that failure to put a Model 3 in Car Wash Mode may result in damage to parts such as the charge port or windshield wipers.

Deactivate Automatic Wipers and Parking Sensors

Automatic windshield wipers use a sensor to detect rain, and if not turned off, they'll turn on from the water spray in a car wash. In a Tesla, you can turn off the rain-sensing wipers using Car Wash Mode or in the screen's menus under the controls menu at the bottom left under the wipers.

Parking sensors can be annoying when going through a car wash. They'll beep constantly if not turned off, thinking you'll run into the car wash equipment. To turn them off in a Tesla before entering a touchless car wash, go to the Controls menu and disable the parking sensors under Safety & Security.

Some Teslas May Have Tires Too Big to Fit in a Car Wash

Some automated car washes offer various levels of packages, including an undercarriage wash. These provide a high-pressure scrub of your car's underside that can be helpful in removing road grime and winter de-icing treatments. Teslas have a flat panel underneath that should be fine in most car washes.

If you have the high-performance Tesla Model S Plaid with the Zero-G wheel and tire package, the 305-mm-wide rear tires might not fit in an automated car wash track. Some car wash tracks aren't wide enough to accommodate that expanse of rubber, so check with the car wash clerk before committing to a cleaning.

Connor Hoffman

Connor Hoffman is a writer and editor based in Kansas City. Prior to becoming a freelance writer, he was an editor at a national car magazine and worked in communications at a major automaker. He loves off-roading and camping in his 4Runner, golfing (poorly), and shredding on his mountain bike.