Wondering How to Wash Electric Cars? Use These Tips

Part of electric car maintenance is keeping the vehicle clean. With more people investing in electric cars these days, it is essential for car wash owners and their employees to understand the most effective ways to properly handle EV auto detailing.

Can Electric Cars Go in Car Washes?

Even though electricity and water do not mix, electric cars can go in car washes, with a few exceptions. The most important exception is electric cars should never be taken through a soft-touch brush-based car wash.

These types of car washes can damage electric vehicles in various ways, especially to the sensors used for advanced safety features. Potential water damage can also occur to the charging port as the brushes can force water in through the charging port door.

The best choice for an electric vehicle car wash is a touchless wash or self-serve wash. These cover all the necessary electric vehicle details without any harsh contact or scrubbing. A self-serve car wash with a good variety of quality detailing supplies gives EV owners the freedom to care for their vehicle with the tools and products they prefer.

Touchless Car Wash Tips

There are two common types of touchless car washes: one where the wash system moves around the vehicle in the wash bay, and one where the vehicle is pulled automatically through the wash system.  

Whichever type it is, here’s how to properly take an electric vehicle through a touchless car wash:

1. Make sure the vehicle has been put in neutral following the manufacturer’s instructions. Teslas and other electric vehicles will only remain in neutral for a short period. However, there is a way to put the car into neutral for transport purposes so that the conveyor can move it safely through the car wash. Otherwise, the vehicle could put itself back into gear.

2. Make sure the charging port door is closed. To keep excessive water from getting into the charging port, take the time to verify the door is closed and latched shut.

3. Avoid using high-pressure on cameras and sensors on the vehicle. The wash settings may need adjusting to avoid potential damage to exterior cameras and sensors on the vehicle.

4. Any excess water should be dried off using a microfiber cloth. Once the car exits the car wash, you want to remove all excess water, including water on the cameras and sensors. Carefully open the charging port door and dry off the inside of the door and any water that gets inside.

Self-Serve Car Wash Tips

Self-serve car washes offer more flexibility, as the vehicle owner is able to do the washing for themselves and make sure everything is done to their satisfaction. However, there are a few essential tips electric car owners can follow to ensure high-quality car detailing:

1. Turn the car off. The vehicle should be powered down before it is washed.

2. Close all windows and doors. This should be a given, but you would be surprised by how many people forget to roll their windows up on those hot summer days!

3. Verify the charging port door is closed. The charging port door should be securely closed before washing the vehicle.

4. Never use the wash brush for EV detailing, with few exceptions. It is okay to use the foaming wash brush on the tires and wheels, but sensitive vehicle systems may be damaged by accident. Scrubbing with a wash brush could cause exterior cameras and sensors to be misaligned or damaged.

5. Use high-quality car detailing products for the best results. Protecting the vehicle with the right auto detailing supplies is an important part of EV maintenance.

6. Be careful when using high-pressure water. Vehicle owners need to be careful not to spray high-pressure water directly onto exterior cameras and sensors.

7. Dry off any excess water with a microfiber towel. Excess water should be dried off, including inside the charging port door.

Learning how to wash a Tesla and other electric vehicles is not complicated when using these tips for touchless and self-serve car washes.

How Self-Serve Wash Owners Can Support EV Detailing

To make sure electric vehicle owners are able to safely and properly detail their cars, it is highly recommended to put up signs in each wash bay that detail the wash instructions for electric vehicles. Car wash owners can also sell or stock vending machines with various detailing supplies geared toward electric and luxury car detailing.

Get the Best Car Wash Supplies at Wholesale Prices

To find car wash supplies you can use at your car wash or sell to your customers in vending machines at wholesale prices, please shop our online store, or contact Superior Car Wash Supply at 800-554-9274 today! Our team is ready to help you choose the best products to meet your needs and keep your car wash business thriving.