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Car wash with 2012 E550

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Old Mar 7, 2015 | 11:37 PM
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Car wash with 2012 E550

I've noticed when the car engine is off and the door is open then closed, the transmission goes into,"park". Which is cool unless I'm in a car wash, and the engine has to be left on while the drag bar is moving the car. Does anyone know of a workaround?
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 12:00 AM
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I would like to know too.
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 08:31 AM
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Open door, put in neutral with door open, close door. It does automatically go into park, but I can put the car in gear with the door open then close it without it going back into park.
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 11:10 AM
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Do you have keyless go? I think the car will remain in neutral when you open the door when the key is inserted into the slot.

Don't you normally leave the car running while in the car wash since you have to drive out of it when done?
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by thefisch
Do you have keyless go? I think the car will remain in neutral when you open the door when the key is inserted into the slot.

Don't you normally leave the car running while in the car wash since you have to drive out of it when done?
I agree. Why would someone shut the car off for a wash that pushes you through?
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by noka
I agree. Why would someone shut the car off for a wash that pushes you through?
The car wash I go to has all drivers exit their cars and the attendant preps it and then the car goes alone (no driver) through the wash. The car needs to be in neutral with engine off and auto wipers off.

Last edited by homeofstone; Mar 8, 2015 at 07:10 PM.
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by homeofstone
The car wash I go has all drivers exit their cars and the attendant preps it and then the car goes alone (no driver) through the wash. The car needs to be in neutral with engine off and auto wipers off.
I've never been to one like that,.. but OK, it makes sense. Actually, I was in Alpharetta (I see you're in GA too) this past week for business and saw what I think might be that type. There were a whole bunch of cars outside that look like they were being cleaned in and out by attendants anyway. Nothing like that near where I live in MA.

Last edited by noka; Mar 8, 2015 at 05:13 PM.
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 05:21 PM
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In the manual

Originally Posted by iGeorge
I've noticed when the car engine is off and the door is open then closed, the transmission goes into,"park". Which is cool unless I'm in a car wash, and the engine has to be left on while the drag bar is moving the car. Does anyone know of a workaround?
It's in the operator's manual. I plan to print the instructions out so I can show them to the attendant when he takes car to the end of the conveyor. Also need to set recircutlation before he/she exits the car. Otherwise might soak the cabin filter.
More over complicated stuff from "German engineering?"
BTW, the place the place I use has the attendant use a brush to prep the front, back and sides. I stand there and tell them "NO BRUSH!" They claim it is soft, but how old is it and it sits in same bucket all day long.
Last time, the attendant "rode through" with the car and kept it in neutral by not opening the door. Stayed in it all the way. It was a slow day and I think he just wanted to ride in an MB. Also, he had noted the problem with other MB's going into park when he exited and wheels dragging through the wash.

Last edited by El Cid; Mar 8, 2015 at 05:24 PM.
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 11:36 PM
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Hi all, thanks so much, I look closer at the manual and try out both workarounds I see here. I have an old school reason I'd prefer the engine be off, but I'll ask that question in a new thread later on this week. It's about a giant bi turbo v8 idling in the Florida sun; even if it's in a car wash tunnel.
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Old Mar 9, 2015 | 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by homeofstone
The car wash I go to has all drivers exit their cars and the attendant preps it and then the car goes alone (no driver) through the wash. The car needs to be in neutral with engine off and auto wipers off.

My experience as well when I used to use a machine wash
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Old Mar 9, 2015 | 09:33 AM
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If I were the OP, I'd simply find another car wash, and better yet use a touchless
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Old Mar 9, 2015 | 11:01 AM
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I leave the car on
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Old Mar 9, 2015 | 11:30 AM
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Stronger chemicals

Originally Posted by Airmousam
If I were the OP, I'd simply find another car wash, and better yet use a touchless
Disadvantage to touchless is that they use stronger chemicals. Also, they do not clean as well because they do not touch the car.
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Old Mar 9, 2015 | 12:15 PM
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Agreed, can't debate that one. Works for me until I'm able to wash at home. Lack of swirl marks makes it well worth it on my black cars. No way I'm following a salt and dirt covered F150 thru a regular wash
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