Can A Tesla Go Through A Car Wash

November 5, 2022

Purchasing, owning, and driving a Tesla is an experience in and of itself. Teslas are not just any car; they have features that make the ownership experience worthwhile. They are the pinnacle of electric vehicles and EV industry trendsetters.

To get the most out of it, however, you must keep it clean and maintained just like any other car. One of the most common and simple ways to keep your Tesla looking good is to keep it clean at all times. Can a Tesla go through a car wash? Yes, it can.

Car Washing a Tesla

Tesla owners have several car wash options, each with advantages and disadvantages. Although it is the most convenient, an automatic car wash can be hazardous. A hand car wash, on the other hand, takes much longer but is more thorough and safe. A touchless car wash can provide the benefits of both methods while posing less risk of harm.

Some people might prefer to wash their Teslas at home. Others may require more time and may prefer an automatic car wash. Whatever option you choose, you must exercise extreme caution with your electric vehicle.

Hand Wash For Your Tesla

The primary benefit of hand washing your Tesla is a more thorough inside-and-out cleaning. Even if your car appears clean after an automatic wash, the grooves and difficult-to-reach areas are frequently overlooked.

Hand-washing your Tesla also protects the paint, extending its life and maintaining its integrity over time. Spots of dirt, grime, or debris that were missed while washing is frequently covered with wax or shine. Before applying wax or polish, your vehicle requires the extra attention and level of detail that a hand wash provides.

Touchless car washes for your Tesla

At a touchless car wash, you must select a cleaning technique and enter payment information into a machine, just like at a conventionally automated car wash. This car wash can be found in a tunnel or a bay.

The Tesla owner will drive in and park in the in-bay option for touchless car washes. The vehicle will then be cleaned as the vehicle washing equipment moves around it. The Tesla will be carried through the tunnel containing the cleaning equipment by a conveyor belt in the tunnel option.

In contrast to other types of automated vehicle washes, an automatic touchless car wash does not use spinning brushes or cloth strips. Other types of automatic car washes include:

The brushless automatic car wash.
Soft touch car wash.
The standard automatic car wash.

a white tesla model 3 is driving down a city street next to a ford f150 truck .

How To Wash Your Tesla

You can safely wash your Tesla using either of the two methods described above, hand washing or touchless car washes. Both methods require you to follow some manufacturer-supplied instructions.

Here is a detailed list of what you should do when cleaning your Tesla.

Exterior Cleaning

To avoid paint damage, remove corrosive substances such as bird droppings, dead insects, tree resin, road salt, tar spots, and industrial fallout. Depending on the circumstances, using denatured alcohol to remove tar and difficult grease stains may be beneficial.

Immediately after removing the stains, wash them with water and soap to remove the alcohol. You do not have to wait until your Tesla Model 3 is due for a complete wash; you can do it on your own and keep your car looking fresh and amazing.

Car Wash Mode

Tesla recently introduced "car wash mode" for the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y to simplify the car washing process. Walk-away door locks, sentry mode, windshield wipers, and parking sensor chimes are all disabled in the new car wash mode. It also disables the charging port and closes all windows. Although you could activate these safety features manually, the car wash mode allows you to do so with a single tap. You can exit car wash mode after cleaning the exterior.

Rinse The Car Thoroughly

Before washing the car, use a hose to remove grit and dirt. When you hose your car, debris can accumulate and form mud in panel seams or wheel wells. Concentrate on these areas to flush out all the accumulated mud.

Hand Wash

Hand-wash your Tesla with a soft, clean cloth and lukewarm or cold water containing mild, premium auto shampoo. Rinse the soap away with clean water before allowing it to dry.

Dry completely, then wash the exterior glass.

To completely dry, use a chamois. If necessary, drive a short distance and repeatedly apply the brakes to dry the brake pads. When you don't press the brake pedal, your Tesla can roll freely in neutral. Clean the windows and mirrors inside and outside your vehicle with a vehicle glass cleaner. On mirrored or glass surfaces, avoid scraping or using abrasive cleaning agents.

Cleaning Camera

To produce a clear image, make sure the camera lens is clean and free of objects. Spraying water over the lens with a pressure washer or spray bottle will remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated.

Cleaning the Interior

Inspect and clean the interior on a regular basis to keep it looking good and prevent premature wear. Clean up spills and marks as soon as possible, if possible. For general cleaning, use a microfiber cloth dampened with a solution of warm water and a gentle non-detergent cleanser to wipe down interior surfaces and seats. To avoid smears, dry immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Touchscreen

To clean the touchscreen, use a soft, lint-free cloth designed specifically for cleaning monitors and displays. Never use rubbing alcohol or glass cleaners. Also, do not use damp wipes or freshly cleaned, dry microfiber. Enabling Screen Clean Mode allows you to clean the touchscreen without pressing any buttons or changing any settings.

Doors seals

It is best to use a moist cloth to clean any debris from the door seals. When material accumulates on the door seals, it can damage the paint when it comes into contact with adjacent surfaces. Avoid using chemical agents that can harm the door seal coating, such as alcohol wipes.