Ready to give your gleaming Tesla the wash it deserves? While washing a car might seem straightforward, your high-tech Tesla requires a few specific steps to ensure a safe and efficient car wash, especially when it comes to putting it in neutral. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from activating "Car Wash Mode" to manually engaging neutral, ensuring your Tesla emerges spotless and unscathed. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understanding Tesla's "Car Wash Mode" – Your First Line of Defense ️
Before you even think about putting your Tesla in neutral, you should familiarize yourself with Car Wash Mode. This dedicated feature is your Tesla's built-in safeguard against accidental damage during an automatic car wash. It's designed to automate several crucial actions, making the process much smoother and safer.
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| How To Put Tesla In Neutral For Car Wash |
What Car Wash Mode Does:
Closes all windows: Prevents water from entering the cabin.
Locks the charge port: Ensures it doesn't accidentally open due to water pressure or brushes.
Disables automatic windshield wipers: Stops them from activating and potentially getting damaged.
Turns off Sentry Mode: Prevents unnecessary recordings or alarms.
Disables walk-away door locking: Keeps the doors from locking automatically while you're in the wash.
Disables parking sensor chimes: Avoids constant beeping from the sensors.
Activates "Free Roll" (Optional but Recommended): This is the key to keeping your car in neutral for conveyor belt washes. We'll explore this further in Step 3.
How to Activate Car Wash Mode:
To engage Car Wash Mode, your Tesla must be stationary and not actively charging.
Tap "Controls" on your Tesla's touchscreen.
Navigate to the "Service" tab.
Tap "Car Wash Mode".
Once activated, your car will automatically perform the listed actions. You'll typically see a visual confirmation on your screen. Keep in mind that Car Wash Mode will automatically disable if your vehicle's speed exceeds approximately 9-10 mph (15 km/h) or if you touch "Exit" on the touchscreen.
Step 2: Parking and Preparing Your Tesla for the Wash ️
Before entering the car wash, a little preparation goes a long way.
Secure Your Vehicle:
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
Find a safe and level spot: Before you even think about entering the car wash, pull over in a safe, level area. This allows you to perform the necessary steps without rushing or holding up a line.
Engage the Parking Brake: Once you've stopped, ensure your vehicle is in Park (P). This will prevent any unintended movement while you prepare.
Manual Checks (Even with Car Wash Mode):
While Car Wash Mode automates many things, it's always a good idea to perform a quick visual check:
Confirm windows are fully closed.
Ensure the panoramic sunroof (if equipped) is closed.
Consider folding your side mirrors manually (if not automatically done by Car Wash Mode) to protect them from the brushes. This option is usually found under Controls > Quick Controls or similar on your touchscreen.
Some owners also recommend setting the air conditioning to recirculate to prevent car wash fumes from entering the cabin.
Step 3: Putting Your Tesla in Neutral (and "Free Roll") ➡️ N
This is the most critical step for automatic car washes with conveyor belts. There are a couple of ways to achieve neutral in a Tesla, depending on your model and preference.
Method A: Using the "Free Roll" Option within Car Wash Mode (Recommended for Conveyor Washes)
This is the most seamless way to get your Tesla into neutral for a conveyor car wash, as it's specifically designed for this purpose and prevents the parking brake from engaging if you leave the driver's seat.
Ensure Car Wash Mode is active (as per Step 1).
Once in Car Wash Mode, on the touchscreen, you will see an "Enable Free Roll" button.
Press the brake pedal and then touch "Enable Free Roll".
Important Note: The "Enable Free Roll" button often becomes clickable only when your foot is on the brake pedal and the car is stationary.
This will put your Tesla into neutral, allowing it to free-roll along the conveyor belt without issues.
Method B: Manually Shifting to Neutral (for situations where "Free Roll" isn't used or needed)
While Car Wash Mode with "Free Roll" is ideal, you can also manually shift your Tesla into neutral. This is particularly useful if you're in a self-service bay where you'll be pushing the car, or if for some reason, "Car Wash Mode" isn't accessible.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
For Models with a Gear Stalk (e.g., most Model 3, Model Y, and older S/X):
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From Park (P): With your foot on the brake pedal, gently push the gear stalk up or down to the first detent position (not fully into Drive or Reverse) and hold it for about one second. You'll see "N" appear on your display.
From Drive (D): With your foot on the brake pedal, gently push the gear stalk up to the first detent position and hold it for about one second. This is a "soft push" – do not push it all the way up into Reverse. If Autosteer or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is active, you'll need to hold it for a bit longer than one second to disengage those features before entering Neutral.
From Reverse (R): With your foot on the brake pedal, gently push the gear stalk down to the first detent position and hold it for about one second.
For Newer Models without a Stalk (e.g., newer Model S/X, some Model 3 Highland):
These models often have on-screen or physical buttons for gear selection.
On the touchscreen: Navigate to "Controls" and then press and hold the "Neutral" (N) icon until it engages.
Physical Buttons (if equipped): Some newer models have physical gear selection buttons. Locate the "N" button and press it. These are typically found either near the charge pad in the center console or on the overhead console by the hazard lights.
Step 4: Monitoring and Exiting the Car Wash
Once your Tesla is in neutral and the wash begins, a few final tips:
Stay in the vehicle (if it's an automatic wash): Unless instructed otherwise by the car wash facility, remain in the driver's seat. This ensures you can react if anything unexpected occurs.
Keep an eye on the process: Watch your car as it moves through the wash to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Exiting Car Wash Mode: Once you're clear of the car wash and ready to drive, simply shift into Drive (D), and Car Wash Mode will typically disengage automatically. Alternatively, you can touch "Exit" on the touchscreen. Remember to press the brake pedal when shifting out of neutral.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Washing Your Tesla
How to activate "Car Wash Mode" in my Tesla?
To activate Car Wash Mode, ensure your Tesla is stationary. Then, on the touchscreen, go to Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode.
How to put my Tesla in neutral if it has a gear stalk?
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
With your foot on the brake, gently push the gear stalk up (from Drive) or down (from Park or Reverse) to the first detent position and hold it for about one second until "N" appears on the display.
How to put my Tesla in neutral if it doesn't have a gear stalk?
For models without a stalk, use the touchscreen by going to Controls and then pressing and holding the "Neutral" (N) icon. Some models may also have a physical "N" button.
How to enable "Free Roll" for a conveyor car wash?
After activating Car Wash Mode, ensure your foot is on the brake pedal, and then on the touchscreen, touch "Enable Free Roll".
How to make sure my windows don't open during the wash?
Car Wash Mode automatically closes all windows. Always visually confirm they are closed before the wash begins.
How to prevent my charge port from opening during a car wash?
Car Wash Mode locks the charge port to prevent accidental opening.
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
How to disable automatic wipers for a car wash?
Car Wash Mode automatically disables the windshield wipers, preventing them from activating unintentionally.
How to exit Car Wash Mode after the wash?
Simply shift your Tesla into Drive (D), and Car Wash Mode will automatically disengage. You can also touch "Exit" on the touchscreen.
How to prevent Sentry Mode from activating during a car wash?
Car Wash Mode automatically turns off Sentry Mode to avoid unnecessary recordings and alerts.
How to deal with my Tesla automatically going into Park when I leave the driver's seat?
When using "Car Wash Mode" and enabling "Free Roll," your Tesla will remain in neutral even if you temporarily lift from the driver's seat, which is crucial for conveyor washes.
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