Car wash instructions
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Car wash instructions
I have posted this before, but seems we have a lot of people acquiring cars. These fit my 2010, so instructions may be different for later models. Check your Operator's Manual for using automatic car washes. These are the type where cars are pulled through on conveyors.
I have the below printed in BIG BOLD lettering on an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet I leave on the seat for attendant.
The top section is to remind me. HVAC needs to be on recirc and/or off to protect ventilation system (it's an MB).
Bottom section is because car goes into park if door open and below instructions not followed.
OWNER: Turn Auto Wipers OFF
Set HVAC to Recirc
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!!!!!
I have the below printed in BIG BOLD lettering on an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet I leave on the seat for attendant.
The top section is to remind me. HVAC needs to be on recirc and/or off to protect ventilation system (it's an MB).
Bottom section is because car goes into park if door open and below instructions not followed.
OWNER: Turn Auto Wipers OFF
Set HVAC to Recirc
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!!!!!
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From: New Jersey
2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
The dudes at the main car wash I go to can barely speak English. I love them though and respect their hard work. So I rarely tell them anything except to brush the rims good to get rid of brake dust in hidden areas.
I usually wash it on my own now and started a detail cycle ever 3 months. I have a place that'll do it for less then $100 where most places charge 200 for a detail.
I usually wash it on my own now and started a detail cycle ever 3 months. I have a place that'll do it for less then $100 where most places charge 200 for a detail.
Last edited by jahquan3; Aug 30, 2016 at 02:15 PM.
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2004 SL500, 2014 E350
This sequence does not work for me. The car goes into Park as soon as the door opens... I tried it a few times
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W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
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2004 SL500, 2014 E350
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From: Down Unda
W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
press button once WITHOUT stepping on the brake pedal and youre on position 2. twice to turn off.
what car are you talking about here? your sig says 2004 SL500.
nonetheless, try turning engine off whilst car is on N, then press button once without stepping on the brake pedal and see if that works.
Edit: N and not D
what car are you talking about here? your sig says 2004 SL500.
nonetheless, try turning engine off whilst car is on N, then press button once without stepping on the brake pedal and see if that works.
Edit: N and not D
Last edited by beejAMG; Aug 30, 2016 at 10:28 PM.
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Some have advised to insert the key when going to the car wash just to avoid the tranny jumping to park when someone opens the door. I think most car washes are used to smart key systems by now, but not sure how many automatically shift to park when driver door is opened. The smart key with my old Toyota didn't change tranny setting when the door was opened while running, only changed it when car was turned off.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 66
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2004 SL500, 2014 E350
press button once WITHOUT stepping on the brake pedal and youre on position 2. twice to turn off.
what car are you talking about here? your sig says 2004 SL500.
nonetheless, try turning engine off whilst car is on N, then press button once without stepping on the brake pedal and see if that works.
Edit: N and not D
what car are you talking about here? your sig says 2004 SL500.
nonetheless, try turning engine off whilst car is on N, then press button once without stepping on the brake pedal and see if that works.
Edit: N and not D
This is what works with my e350 with Keyless-Go:
1) Start with the car turned off
2) Without pressing brake, press the Start button once and the car wakes up - I think this is like position 1
3) Without pressing brake, press the Start button again - I think this is like position 2
4) Then press the brake and shift the car into Neutral and release the brake
5) Open the door, Leave the key in the ashtray, and Exit the car - This will allow them to start the car when it is thru the wash and the car will not lock (I tried by pressing the door handle 'button' and it will not lock).
Thread Starter
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Posts: 2,616
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
I think MB may be only company that has this automatically goes to park if door opened system?
There should be a section in your operator's manual on how to set the car in neutral and then get out of it without it going into park.
Problem is that places I use you park your car in the vacuming area and then an attendant moves it to the conveyor line. They won't let customers drive it to conveyor even if not getting it vacumed and such.
So, I could set it, but when the attendant drove it to conveyor and got out, it would go to park.
I watch as it begins moving to see if rear wheels are locked.
There should be a section in your operator's manual on how to set the car in neutral and then get out of it without it going into park.
Problem is that places I use you park your car in the vacuming area and then an attendant moves it to the conveyor line. They won't let customers drive it to conveyor even if not getting it vacumed and such.
So, I could set it, but when the attendant drove it to conveyor and got out, it would go to park.
I watch as it begins moving to see if rear wheels are locked.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
It's damned if you do, damned if you don't. That Star Trek actor was killed when he got out of his car and it was left in reverse so it backed up over him pinning him to a wall. That was Jeep. So it's pretty smart for MB to have the car go into park when you open the door. I still prefer the old gear selector in the W211.
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 78
Likes: 36
2008 CL550
I completely understand the owner creating instructions to help car wash attendants do this right. Not doing this correctly can really mess up your car...
I have the newer (actually maybe 8 years of this in MBs now makes it the "normal") shifter up on the steering column and 4MATIC. I find it is very fussy if I don't switch into Neutral just right as I pull onto these rolling/pushing tracks in modern car washes. I actually had to have a rear parking brake sensor replaced ($600) after I couldn't get into Neutral quick enough (kept lifting too hard and going into Reverse, then Drive, then Reverse) my first time going through a car wash, made worse by the dam wash attendance immediately started the belt pushing me forward (I hadn't even gotten on and touched the brake before he'd started the dam thing pushing)...
Anyways, I've learned the secret to doing this is to actually switch into Neutral before/as you are rolling onto the track... the car will still roll forward either with momentum or with the slight dip onto the track. So as I'm approaching, without even touching the brake, I gently lift the lever into Neutral and then let the car roll forward until they tell me to stop. Otherwise, no matter how I do it, if I'm already ON the track when switching into Neutral there is some nasty/rough/forceful sounds in the rear and I don't want to have to buy another sensor.
Hope that is helpful for someone out there!
Joel
I have the newer (actually maybe 8 years of this in MBs now makes it the "normal") shifter up on the steering column and 4MATIC. I find it is very fussy if I don't switch into Neutral just right as I pull onto these rolling/pushing tracks in modern car washes. I actually had to have a rear parking brake sensor replaced ($600) after I couldn't get into Neutral quick enough (kept lifting too hard and going into Reverse, then Drive, then Reverse) my first time going through a car wash, made worse by the dam wash attendance immediately started the belt pushing me forward (I hadn't even gotten on and touched the brake before he'd started the dam thing pushing)...
Anyways, I've learned the secret to doing this is to actually switch into Neutral before/as you are rolling onto the track... the car will still roll forward either with momentum or with the slight dip onto the track. So as I'm approaching, without even touching the brake, I gently lift the lever into Neutral and then let the car roll forward until they tell me to stop. Otherwise, no matter how I do it, if I'm already ON the track when switching into Neutral there is some nasty/rough/forceful sounds in the rear and I don't want to have to buy another sensor.
Hope that is helpful for someone out there!
Joel
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
indeed, I much prefer console shifters over this joystick thing, but I can't say I have any issues with neutral versus D/R.
now, I avoid drivethrough automatic car washes entirely, they scratch your paint
now, I avoid drivethrough automatic car washes entirely, they scratch your paint
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
If I leave the gear selector on D or R or N and turn off the engine before opening the door it will go to P when door is opened. My 2013 S550 works the same way.
Then, someone mentioned MB perhaps being the only car maker with this stupid automatic P when door is opened but also 2017 Dodge Durango that I have also does it.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I just love my car as it does not go to Park when door is opened if engine is running. It just gives warning beeps and the cluster turns red.
If I leave the gear selector on D or R or N and turn off the engine before opening the door it will go to P when door is opened. My 2013 S550 works the same way.
Then, someone mentioned MB perhaps being the only car maker with this stupid automatic P when door is opened but also 2017 Dodge Durango that I have also does it.
If I leave the gear selector on D or R or N and turn off the engine before opening the door it will go to P when door is opened. My 2013 S550 works the same way.
Then, someone mentioned MB perhaps being the only car maker with this stupid automatic P when door is opened but also 2017 Dodge Durango that I have also does it.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-p...-idUSKBN1GY2WC
