I didn't see a "Car Wash Mode" selection in MBUX for the W223/ V223 S-Class yet so I generated an advanced Pre-Automatic Car Wash check list. This is preliminary and includes optional equipment so feel free to add suggestions or omissions. Some of the info comes right from the MB manual or other current MB vehicles equipped with a car wash mode selection.

I added the part about using a Faraday pouch to encase your key fob inside the vehicle so the door handles or trunk doesn't accidentally get deployed. I haven't confirmed that this works yet to see if the vehicle will stay in neutral or switch to park when its running and then suddenly doesn't detect a key fob and is pulled by the car wash conveyor. MB mentions having the key fob 20' (6 meters away) from the vehicle but that doesn't seem logical if your using a conveyor drive thru style car wash. You should be using a Faraday pouch to store your key fob in anyway to aid in theft prevention whenever you're out of the vehicle.

Mercedes W223/ V223 Drive-Thru CAR WASH CHECK LIST:
Raise suspension
Close Windows
Close sunroof(s) do not make any hand movements in the area of the overhead control panel. Do not deactivate the sunroof or roller sun blind option in MBUX Active Assistant
Lock vehicle from inside so door handles retract
Fold in mirrors
Turn OFF Active Brake Assist
Turn OFF Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
Turn OFF brake HOLD function
Turn OFF Active Parking Assist
Turn OFF rear/ surround cameras
Turn OFF blower for ventilation and heating / AC
Turn OFF windshield wipers on stalk
Switch transmission to Neutral
Have the key fob at least 20' (6 meters away) from the vehicle OR *Insert Key Fob into Faraday metal mesh lined pouch or wrap Key-Fob completely in aluminum foil (prevents trunk and door handles opening accidentally) *STILL TO BE CONFIRMED OPERATIONAL

Note: Make sure to re-enable safety systems you shut off when the wash is completed. Hopefully Mercedes will update us with a legitimate Car Wash Mode selection in MBUX that doesn't require key fob manipulation in a future update.

Oh boy.

You can disable keyless entry by pressing mercedes logo on key fob twice quickly so the door handles dont pop out when in vicinity.

You don't need to do any of that lol. Turn off the wipers, I fold the mirrors in and raise the suspension, but you don't have to do that, the parking sensors will freak out, but thats no big deal. Car in neutral and just let it go. I leave the key with the car. Mine's a W222 but I wouldn't do any different with a W223.

A Faraday pouch whenever the key is outside the vehicle? Please lol

Will that also disable the trunk from opening when movement is detected under the rear bumper area? Wonder if the trunk opener sensor is disabled when the vehicle is in NEUTRAL as it is in DRIVE? I believe the trunk can be locked or effectively deactivate the trunk opener in MBUX for valet parking security?

Great seeing some more options! Thanks

The car not being in park disables that. People all over the place get their cars washed with these foot kick sensors and there is no issue. My Pacifica minivan has them on the sides too, no issue.

Just turn on valet lock to prevent trunk from opening in the car wash but since the trunk only opens when it senses a key within very close proximity, like in your pocket and you are standing at the rear of the vehicle otherwise it should not open. As numerous times I left my key in the vehicle and I can't use the easy-pack (or foot-activated trunk release) function despite vehicle being unlocked. However, I am not sure if that changed for the W223.

It's a car, not an ICBM. Turn off the auto wipers and wash it...

Please don't take your $100k car through a carwash with brushes or rails that you have to drive into.

Its a non issue when the car is out of park.

I agree in spirit, but I have run all of my nice cars through carwashes (good carwashes, I took the time to find really good quality ones) and they have been fine. I ceramic coat them, and thats why I buy light colored cars...

W223/ V223
Motorized door handles extend and retract by touch
Motorized sunroof opens with non-contact movement in cabin
Rear motorized camera extends and retracts from under trunk lip when vehicle movement is sensed
Motorized trunk opens with sensed movement under rear bumper
Active braking system activates brakes when nearby item's distance is deemed too close when vehicle is in motion

Mercedes surely has there reasons for alerting W223/V223 owners about unintentional operations in automated car washes. They just don't seem to have a well documented plan yet like on the other recent vehicles such as the GLS in which has a dedicated Car Wash Mode. Not that I would necessarily be one to take a 150K vehicle thru a brushed automated car wash but also thinking inline with with the touch-less type as well without breaking stuff.

https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/keyless-car-theft/

You're way overthinking this. The active braking system doesn't operate in neutral. My W222 has front and rear motorized cameras, they do deploy in the wash, and there is no harm done. If the motorized handles deploy in the wash, there will also be no harm done. Motorized trunk does not operate when the vehicle is in neutral. Just don't gesture for the sunroof to open inside the wash.

If you're really that worried about it, just don't take it through a car wash. If you're that worried about keyless car theft, you should just turn the keyless go function off. Carrying around a faraday cage to put the key in when you aren't using it is way over the top IMO.

There are quite a number of such products out there and, of course, all claim to work.
May I ask, which (brand) Faraday bag are you using? I like to hear from your actual experience, especially on the longevity/life span of the bag effectiveness.

lol i do that all the time, and i have the diamond white color

Genuinely curious.... why? Even though my vehicle is "just" a C-Class, I hand wash mine as I just (personally) can't get myself (and feel bad as well) to put a vehicle like this (and in your case an S-Class) in a soft cloth wash that washes all sorts of vehicles and likely to scratch the paint. I also don't go through a touchless car wash that might have harsh chemicals that might damage the paint or plastics. Obviously paying someone to detail your vehicle isn't an issue for you which in that case you should have a different reason. Could it be that your detailer is fully booked, your detailer is located far away and they can't come over to you or because of the current you know what thing that is going on you just want to be extra careful and don't want to get in close proximity to another person?

I've noticed wax doesn't last as long when I use the touch less carwash. Probably cuz the soap is soo strong. But I only use it a few times a year

Yup it may be harsh as it can't touch your car yet still needs to be able to clean your car.

I want a clean car on demand. I don't want to have to make appointments or wait an hour. I want to on a whim run over and get the car washed.

Same here. I am more afraid the alloy wheels being scratched by those tracks than the paint being scratched.
In the past 10 or 15 years, I have only used a machine car wash once. Still remember clearly why I had to do that:- One afternoon I drove over a big pool of very very dirty water (kitchen waste and other ugly smelly stuff, accidentally spilled over from a garbage truck onto the road) and I just could not stand and wait for the daily hand wash tomorrow morning and so it went straight to a nearby car wash. :-(

Thats why you make sure you find a good one that wont damage the wheels...

I've used brushless washes for probably 30 years on all my cars, many of them at the dealership as they always wash my car for me. Nothing happened. I respect people that like to level up to a hand wash only, but these cars are pretty durable. Unless you plan on keeping it in bubble wrap and owning it forever I don't really think it matters.

As for aa Faraday cage or bag or whatever, the day I need one of these is the day they can have the car.

No question a car is better cared for with a good hand wash...if it were my garage baby that would be one thing, but my daily driven cars I keep 3 years and trade...carwash. I took the van in and had the $60 light interior steam clean done the other day, glorious, it gets beat on by the kids and the dog and it came out looking brand new for $60!? Why on earth would I want to do this myself?

My concierge from the dealership picks her up and has her hand washed, quick detail, and returned. Thats why you buy a premium car - for the premium product and service!!!

Wow! where is this dealer?

They do this just for a car wash, not as a part of a service?

I find that hard to believe.