Can you take a hybrid or electronic vehicle through a car wash?
With the rise in EV and hybrid vehicles in Australia, we want to reassure our customers that it is completely safe to wash electric cars in automatic rollover car washes, tunnels or to wash them using a self serve jet wash.
Car washing equipment will not cause damage to the batteries or electronics.
Below are tips from Istobal on how to wash your electric vehicle or hybrid car.
Car Wash Tips for EVs
When it comes to car cleaning, electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars are not much different to petrol and diesel cars. Below are Istobal’s top tips and recommendations for keeping your EV or hybrid car clean and shiny.
In terms of choosing the right wash program, we recommend carrying out a pre-wash on the car with products designed to effectively remove even the most stubborn dirt, as well as using wax to protect the paintwork.
EVs and Rollover Automatic Car Washes
- Wash the car with the engine off and the handbrake engaged.
- Ensure there are no issues with the vehicle that are likely to be affected during the wash.
- Remove any external elements that are not fixed to the vehicle.
- Ensure windows, sunroof and doors are fully closed.
- Fold in wing mirrors.
- Remove the aerial.
EVs and Self Serve Jet Washes
- Wash the car with the engine off and the handbrake engaged.
- Ensure there are no issues with the vehicle that are likely to be affected during the wash.
- Remove any external elements that are not fixed to the vehicle.
- Ensure windows, sunroof and doors are fully closed.
- Fold in wing mirrors.
- Remove the aerial.
TIP: Make sure the cleaning products don’t dry on the surface of the vehicle as this can dull the shine of metallic parts. Select the appropriate wash gun for each stage, spraying the vehicle from top to bottom, maintaining a distance of 30cm between the end of the hose and the vehicle.
EVs and Car Wash Tunnels
- In car wash tunnels, the ignition should be on and the car should be in neutral with the handbrake disabled so that the drag train can pull on it in the car wash tunnel.
- Electric, hybrid and automatic cars should be in position ‘neutral’ to stop the wheels from locking. This allows the car to move through the car wash tunnel.
- It is recommended that all automatic functions such as the front and rear windscreen wipers and folding in the wing mirrors are disabled. Remove the aerial and any other protruding elements such as roof racks and other accessories.
- Check the windows and doors are closed.
- Drivers of hybrid cars are advised to make sure they have sufficient battery before entering the tunnel so that the electric engine can be used during the wash.
Information for car wash business owners
If you’re a car wash business owner and have questions about whether your equipment is suitable for EVs and hybrid vehicles, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team. Since 1968, Good Sight have been the leading suppliers of car wash equipment and accessories in Australia. We are backed by a national team of 40+ car wash service technicians and support staff and offer 24/7 customer service.
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