El Cid

Please, this is not a thread re: the pros and cons of handwashing vs. using car washes.
Posted this before, but since a lot of new owners thought I would again. If you use an automated (conveyor) type carwash, there are special instructions on how the place an MB in neutral and then get out of the car.
Normally, if car is in neutral and you open door, it automatically shifts to park. Attendant doesn't know this and car goes down conveyor with rear wheels locked.
Instructions for placing in neutral and getting out are in the Operator's Manual. I have prepared a sign I leave on my front seat for attendants. Below are contents, but I have each entry on a single line and in very large letters.

OWNER (reminder to myself): Turn Auto Wipers OFF
Turn HVAC OFF

Car Wash Attendant:

AT START OF CONVEYOR
Engine Running;
Press and Hold brake pedal;
Shift to N (on speedo display);
Release the brake pedal;
Switch ignition off and leave key in;
Exit car

DO NOT USE BRUSH ON CAR

LEAVE THIS SHEET IN CAR

Thank You!!!!!

SteveE400

I'm not sure if all cars are programmed the same way, but I've tried opening my door when my car is running in my garage. If the car is in neutral and running, it stays in neutral. If it is in Drive or Reverse, it goes to Park.

mleskovar

Thanks for the reminder, although I rarely/never use car washes I printed it to put in the glove box just in case. Not sure where you live but I'm guessing most of the car wash attendants here won't be able to read it and at least I'll be able to show them now.

El Cid

I watch to see what happens and to check that wheels are turning when conveyor starts. If the attendant doesn't understand it, he goes and gets a senior person that has actually done it before - or understands the instructions.
Note that the engine is off when the door is opened. That may be why it goes to Park.
There are conveyor systems where you ride along and leave the engine running, but haven't used one of those in long time.

thefisch

Aren't the steps different for keyless go? IIRC opening the door puts it in park. I try to remember to insert the key to avoid this.

SteveE400

OK, maybe this is a naïve question, but I've never had a system like Keyless Go before. If I have to be out of the car while it is taken through a wash system, do I need to leave the key fob device in the car? If I have it in my pocket, and I'm "out of range" what will happen?


I live in northern Illinois and we have winters far too nasty to hand wash cars outdoors - especially if you have arthritis in your hands.


And, I'm still trying to find a good enough car wash in the Chicago/Des Plaines area that won't tear up the wheels or front lower valence on my 2015 E400 Sport. Any suggestions?

Airmousam

Use only touch less car washes, problem solved

El Cid

MB advises against using touchless car washes as they rely upon very strong chemicals.
Have used a car wash that uses the large hanging cloths for 30 years and multiple cars. No problems ever.
On my Nissan Rogue with keyless go, I have to leave the remote in the car. Probably because waiting area is all the way at other end of conveyor.

SteveE400

Except that my wife found the passage in the MB Owner's Manual that cautions owners not to use touchless car washes because these use a harsh detergent to clean without brushes, and that detergent is not recommended for MB paints.


Oh, and I can't do that because they just tore out the touchless wash a couple of blocks from where I work. I'm waiting to see what goes in its place - might be one of the cloth washes where the car just stands still. I might try that, if it looks safer.

Airmousam

No problems except swirl marks thought we weren't going down this road I've run my last 3 MB's thru the touchless and no issues with the paint. A lot of high end cars run thru our car wash and it sure beats following a nasty SUV or F250 thru a traditional car wash with those gross hanging cloths. Yuk! And never mind my wheels bouncing off of the wheel guides..

fintail

Touchless car washes seem like a good way to remove the wax from a car - I definitely noticed a difference the last time I used one, which will be the last time I use one.

Airmousam

You have to do what your comfortable with, I chimed in when Steve mentioned washing in the winter, which is the only time I use a car wash (touchless). All car washes will remove some % of wax or sealant, but when your car is covered in salt, that's the least of your worries. Again I'm more comfortable with touchless than lining up behind a filthy F250 on a conveyer style wash as my primary goal is to avoid swirl marks on my black MB's. You think the grim and salt is gone from the hanging cloths after the f250 or SUV rolls thru or 30 of them... it's not....Im pretty OCD tho, and will not even let my dealer wash my car when in for service! Cheers...

jahquan3

I use the car wash religiously, I'd say twice a week and if not I'll hand wash that second time a week on my own. Mainly because of the irritating brake dust. I've only used touchless once in the past few months. In my town the dudes working at the car wash barely speak English never mind would I expect them to read off a list. Nice guys though so it's cool with me.
In my experience they never cut the car off and they put it into neutral with the door open so it stays in neutral. A couple of places near me are hand dry specific so you stay in the car for those. So I've never encountered this issue yet. Now that I think of it, today is Tuesday and they have $3 car washes today lol. Still cost more to add on vacuum, armor all, tire brite etc. but hey it's a low starting point today at least