Myth: You can't take your EV through an autoÂmatÂed car wash.
Myth BustÂed: EVs can go through a car wash the same as a gas car. Just put the car in neuÂtral and you're good to go!
Many peoÂple believe that an elecÂtric car isn't able to go through an autoÂmatÂed car wash. HowÂevÂer, not only is it comÂpleteÂly safe to do so, you simÂply shift it to a neuÂtral posiÂtion, the same as a gas car! This blog post will clear up some conÂfuÂsion about shiftÂing to neuÂtral in an EV and using autoÂmatÂed car washes.
EVs don't need a transÂmisÂsion because the powÂer to the wheels is regÂuÂlatÂed by the curÂrent flowÂing through the batÂtery. Gas cars, on the othÂer hand, need a transÂmisÂsion to regÂuÂlate the powÂer to the wheels, hence the difÂferÂent gears, such as neuÂtral. Since EVs do not have a transÂmisÂsion, many think that you can't put the car in neuÂtral. While EVs may not have a neuÂtral gear in the traÂdiÂtionÂal sense, they do still have a neuÂtral posiÂtion. This can be used to tow your car, or to send your vehiÂcle through an autoÂmatÂed car wash. Want to know more about the difÂferÂence between neuÂtral in gas and elecÂtric vehiÂcles? Read this blog post writÂten by EVCARTIPS.
WithÂout a transÂmisÂsion, elecÂtric vehiÂcles only have one gear, so it may not be as obviÂous how to switch to a neuÂtral posiÂtion in an EV. This can be conÂfusÂing at an autoÂmatÂed car wash because you need your car be in a neuÂtral posiÂtion. The process of putting your car in neuÂtral will vary dependÂing on your EV. For instance, in the NisÂsan Leaf you can shift to neuÂtral using the conÂtroller. You just need to put your car in park, place your foot on the brake, pull the conÂtroller all the way to the left and hold for a few secÂonds, and it will shift into neuÂtral. On the othÂer hand, for a TesÂla ModÂel 3 or ModÂel Y you can shift to neuÂtral by pushÂing the gear stalk either down or up and holdÂing for a second.
You should be able to find inforÂmaÂtion on how to shift to neuÂtral in your car's user manÂuÂal. There are also many disÂcusÂsion forums online for EV users that can help idenÂtiÂfy how to put your speÂcifÂic modÂel into neuÂtral. Next time your EV needs a good clean, don't hesÂiÂtate to shift your car to neuÂtral and enjoy the autoÂmatÂed car wash.
Source 1: Bruce, DarÂren. This Is Why ElecÂtric Cars Don't Have Neutral. EV Car Tips. 2022. https://evcartips.com/this-is-why-electric-cars-dont-have-neutral/
Source 2: MeyÂer, Erwin. How To Put TesÂla in NeuÂtral — All ModÂels Explained. EV Speedy. n/d. https://www.evspeedy.com/put-tesla-in-neutral/