Neutral in car wash?

[Ala Larj]

Due to a recent operation and unable to wash my car I decided to use an automatic one. I’ve never used one before and it was only when I was about to embark on the ‘journey’ that I saw the sign saying to disengage handbrake and put car in neutral. I am aware that it is not a good idea to use neutral in a hybrid due to lack of Battery charging. I had a tense 10 minutes worrying about whether or not I’d be able to drive out at the other end. Fortunately my fears were unfounded but it got me thinking that I was lucky and my Battery had enough charge in it before entering the car wash and wondered what could have happened if I was low on charge. Does anyone know how long you can keep it in neutral for, or what would happen if it ran out whilst in the car wash?

[Bluemarlin]

I imagine that you'd be fine in neutral for the duration of the car wash. If it does go flat you'd need a jump start, so it's always worth investing in one those portable starter Battery packs and keeping it in the car.

That said, can't you just turn the car off whilst in the car wash?

[Ala Larj]

I thought about that but the sign also says keep engine running! Not sure why. It’s actually the hybrid Battery I’m worried about. 

[LenT]

1 hour ago, Ala Larj said:

and it was only when I was about to embark on the ‘journey’ that I saw the sign saying to disengage handbrake and put car in neutral. 

This suggests to me that you were in a ‘tracked’ system in which you locate the front wheels on a moving track and the car is then moved along the system.  If that’s the case then I would have thought it safest to turn off the engine.  There may have even been signs to that effect.

I think this also usually applies when using the system in which the car is stationary and the washing unit moves around the car.  In fact the only reason for keeping the engine running appears to be the fear that water might be sprayed onto the electrical system, in which case keeping the engine hot will hopefully evaporate the water before it can affect the system.

I usually keep the engine running so that I can use the wipers to clear the screen before the blowers get to it. 
 

PS.  I should add that since having the car ‘Detailed’ with a ceramic coating, it’s not allowed through car washes anyway!

[Bluemarlin]

1 hour ago, Ala Larj said:

I thought about that but the sign also says keep engine running! Not sure why. It’s actually the hybrid battery I’m worried about. 

Apologies, I misunderstood. You should be fine for the short duration of the car wash. If you want to play it safe then make sure there's a decent amount of charge in the Battery and turn off your a/c. Also remember to turn off your rain sensing wipers and  automatic headlights if they're switched to on.

Altenatively use a hand car wash place, where you can switch the car off and leave it in park while they wash it.

[Ala Larj]

Thanks. That makes sense. Am wary about some of the hand washes as not sure what products they use and how grit free their rags are! The automatic wash I used was an IMO one which seems to get good reviews.  

[VFR]

21 minutes ago, Ala Larj said:

Thanks. That makes sense. Am wary about some of the hand washes as not sure what products they use and how grit free their rags are! The automatic wash I used was an IMO one which seems to get good reviews.  

IMO auto washes are just automated swirl machines (at best) 

Check the reviews on hand wash outfits in your area but they are expensive compared to the auto’s

[LenT]

14 minutes ago, Ala Larj said:

Am wary about some of the hand washes as not sure what products they use and how grit free their rags are!

And rightly so!

The kind that set up shop in Supermarket car parks have a particularly poor reputation in this regard.  After all, they may have a number of cars to do while their owners are shopping.  Even the type that operate along a tracked system are under a timing  pressure.

If you’re really concerned, then go for a specialist who’s using snow foam and the ‘two bucket’ method.  Otherwise I understand that a well-maintained automatic car wash will be preferable because of the copious amounts of water they use.  Although, as I said previously, if you’ve invested in a ceramic finish then they are to be avoided.

[Steven Lockey]

I believe they prefer you to keep the engine running more because of the exhaust. Don't really want water pooling
inside the exhaust.

Never seen one that told you to disengage the handbrake through. Most I've seen say set the handbrake....