When going though a chain bottom car wash that moves the vehicle along as it is washed, is it necessary to put the car in Tow mode? Anything different on a model S than a gas vehicle?
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JenniferQ
Active Member
I would think N would be fine, same as ICE. But be careful of those wheels. Personally, I wouldn't put my baby on that chain bottom thingy.
FranKim
Member
If you put into N doesnt it automatically pop into P as soon as you open the door?
Seems like tow mode is the only option.
But I agree, Im leary about putting my MS through a conveyor wash
Seems like tow mode is the only option.
But I agree, Im leary about putting my MS through a conveyor wash
JenniferQ
Active Member
Oh, I thought it was one of the "sit in and drive you through" car washes where you don't open the door?
FranKim
Member
haha good point, perhaps you're right. i thought the OP meant one of those drop it off, walk along and watch it through hazy windows, pick it up on the other side setups
JenniferQ
Active Member
Here is an incredibly detailed and useful blog about no rinse car washing technique. Not what we do, but pretty amazing!
Washing Your Model S with A "No-Rinse" Product
Washing Your Model S with A "No-Rinse" Product
RogerHScott
Active Member
I had a conversation about this very topic with the Tesla service guy when he came out last week to check on a
problem with my new car. Apparently the "official" technique is to put it in neutral, but there's a pretty major problem
with that: after a certain, fairly short, amount of time the car will automatically put itself into Park, which can be real
bummer when you're being dragged along by a chain drive! Tow mode seems like generally a better solution, except
for one thing you need to be aware of: when you get to the end of the car wash you need to get it out of tow mode in order
to drive it away, and that takes a moment.
From the manual (emphasis added):
"Note: In Tow mode, Model S does not shift into a driving gear. To cancel Tow mode, shift into Park or touch Tow mode again."
problem with my new car. Apparently the "official" technique is to put it in neutral, but there's a pretty major problem
with that: after a certain, fairly short, amount of time the car will automatically put itself into Park, which can be real
bummer when you're being dragged along by a chain drive! Tow mode seems like generally a better solution, except
for one thing you need to be aware of: when you get to the end of the car wash you need to get it out of tow mode in order
to drive it away, and that takes a moment.
From the manual (emphasis added):
"Note: In Tow mode, Model S does not shift into a driving gear. To cancel Tow mode, shift into Park or touch Tow mode again."
Chopr147
Active Member
Yea, learned this the hard way. Put in neutral, get out went back into park. Try the same thing again because i'm insane, same thing 
As soon as i got home I opened up the manual and figured TOW MODE is probably the only way short of sitting in the car.
Then when it's done you need to jump ahead of the car wash guy and drive it out, which is good because i don't let them dry it anyway.
As soon as i got home I opened up the manual and figured TOW MODE is probably the only way short of sitting in the car.
Then when it's done you need to jump ahead of the car wash guy and drive it out, which is good because i don't let them dry it anyway.
mspohr
Well-Known Member
My neighbor took his X to this type of car wash.
Two flat tires and two damaged wheels.
Friends don't let friends use automatic car washes.
Two flat tires and two damaged wheels.
Friends don't let friends use automatic car washes.
RogerHScott
Active Member
You're asking that of people on this site? That's what you wonder where they find the time for?
PGeer
Member
I use a particular carwash at a detailing place in Port Townsend. Great results.
I use neutral and have had no problems EXCEPT the one time I released the seatbelt. I haven't tested it again, but this is what seems to put it in park. No damage, but an anxious few seconds getting it back into neutral.
I use neutral and have had no problems EXCEPT the one time I released the seatbelt. I haven't tested it again, but this is what seems to put it in park. No damage, but an anxious few seconds getting it back into neutral.
In the winter I do take my car to a local car wash. It was recommended by the local service center. The car wash has one of their guys who is familiar with Tesla sit in the car as it goes through the line - no extra charge, but I do tip well.
That said I prefer to hand wash - automatic wash misses spots. But in the winter there really isn't much choice.
That said I prefer to hand wash - automatic wash misses spots. But in the winter there really isn't much choice.
I used to use a 3 bucket system. Two of the buckets were for a two stage rinse.
Then I realized I was being an idiot and that a 1 bucket system guaranteed I'd never have to re-use a microfiber mit after rinsing it and I'd save water to boot.
I use a single bucket with a dozen microfiber mits. I wash one panel with each mitt and then throw it in the dirty mitt pile. No dirty mitt ever touches the bucket with the clean mitts in soapy water so there's no chance of reusing a mitt that hasn't been properly rinsed.
26K miles later and I'm still swirl free even under a 10 watt led paint quality light.