Dec 8, 2012
Andrew Wolfe Car Wash problem
I took my Model S to the car wash this morning. (I know, blasphemy. I don't want to hear it)
The problem is that every time the attendant got out of the seat with the car in Neutral, the car went into park. It there a way around this? Do I need to set something differently?�
Dec 8, 2012
Jkam Maybe the car is trying to tell you something (i.e. don't send me through the car wash).:scared:�
Dec 8, 2012
goaliemanshark Perhaps we should have a car wash thread? Holy Crap is my car dirty, even after 3 days...�
Dec 8, 2012
Discoducky Nope, safety feature. Car shouldn't be moving when no one is in the drivers seat. Car washes were made for dinosaur ICE vehicles :wink:�
Dec 8, 2012
dflye I've taken mine to the car wash once, paid extra for the "hand wash" option to keep it off the conveyer belt. Forgot to show them how to open the frunk, have to remember that next time.�
Dec 8, 2012
Bearman Reading about this in another thread there might be a simple solution, try plugging in the driver seat belt and it might not go into park.�
Dec 8, 2012
KenEE This seems like a major problem to me. If you get 10k S's out there a lot of them are going to be put through car washes. Can't be good for either the car or the car wash to be pushing the car while in park!
And please don't say don't do it. I was at the car wash this week and saw a Panamara S go through. It IS done.
I've always either hand washed my car myself or used one of these big converyer systems.
I plan to use a mobile detailer with my S. I see him doing a great job on my neighbors mercs all the time.
BUT you know many many S owners will be putting them through Mr. Bubbles etc....�
Dec 8, 2012
Zythryn I use a full service detailer or a touch free car wash. I sit in the car while it is being washed, and the car sits on solid ground, no conveyor belt involved.
If the wash is only set up to wash unattended vehicles by rolling them along a conveyor belt in neutral, well I'd be looking for someone that does it differently.�
Dec 8, 2012
Zextraterrestrial just put it in tow mode
I washed mine by hand yesterday. It is a very easy car to wash compared to most�
Dec 8, 2012
jerry33 Because...�
Dec 8, 2012
spatterso911 +1. he beat me to it...
and how the heck does Zextraterrestrial have time to surf the forums when he has miles to put on his new Model S???!!�
Dec 8, 2012
jerry33 The Model S has a browser. Don't ask, don't tell.:scared:�
Dec 8, 2012
SuperCoug I've never gotten out of my car when going through a car wash. I didn't know automated washes have "attendants". Where do you go when your car is being sent through? Doesn't seem worth it to get out when it's quicker and easier to stay in.�
Dec 8, 2012
DrComputer The simple answer, as stated above, is to fasten the driver's seat belt. This will allow the attendant to put the car in neutral and exit without it going into park.�
Dec 8, 2012
William3 Thanks for the tip. This was a big concern for me.
I still think it is stupid of Tesla to *ever* automatically switch from N to P.
I can't think of *any* situation where I'd want this behavior.
If I ever put the car in N then I did it for a reason.�
Dec 8, 2012
shokunin Maybe he's driving and surfing while at stoplights looking for M5's.�
Dec 9, 2012
Andrew Wolfe Pretty common out here in No. CA. Attendants vacuum the car, spray down and wash off any large debris, wash the inside windows, and remove any external antenna or tape down rear wipers - then they drive it to the auto-wash and get out. On the other side, they dry it and inspect it for missed spots. The good ones use fresh towels for every car.
Hand washing is discouraged here and in some places can actually get you a ticket. The autowashes recycle all of the water and are environmentally monitored while hand washing tends to send all kinds of nasty stuff into sewer drains and into the creeks and the Bay. Plenty of people do it - but you can get dirty looks from neighbors (or your own teenagers).�
Dec 9, 2012
Andrew Wolfe Aha - I could RTFM.
NOTE: If you use the touchscreen to release the parking brake when in P
(Park), Model S automatically shifts into Neutral. However, when you exit
Model S, it shifts into Park. To keep Model S in Neutral after exiting, power
off Model S manually using the touchscreen.�
Dec 9, 2012
Zextraterrestrial I have a car with the internet, duh. (j/k) No cell phone but...
800 miles and counting
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Still haven't seen that M5 around here.
Had several people taking pictures today and someone from a car club take a picture for his blog.
Burning everything on the road, hehe
�
Dec 9, 2012
dmetcalf Congrats!�
Dec 9, 2012
Zextraterrestrial um, too you!
a little jealous you have flatland around!, I'll take the redwoods anyday ;>�
Dec 11, 2012
Ceilidh
Not trying to be a jerk here, but I don't see anyone else pointing out that the Panamera at the carwash is entirely irrelevant. My understanding of the reason that Tesla is saying no automatic car washes is that the battery pack is on the floor of the vehicle. It has seams. Although these seams are weatherproof for splashes from the road and such, there is a theoretical concern about the undercarriage jets that use higher pressure to wash road grime off the car. At higher pressures sprayed right at the seams, they could get into the battery and ruin the car. This is a pretty significant theoretical concern. Just making sure that you understand this. The Panamera has no such issue. Nor does any other ICE supercar for that matter.
The issue is not that nice cars shouldn't go through washes, it is that undercarriage sprays risk ruining the battery. At least that's how I understood it.
Having said that, I bought this car because I am a hippie tree hugger at heart and a carwash that can recycle the water is certainly desirable.
The solution if you need to hand wash at home (which is what I am going to do with this car 100% of the time) is to use a product like No Rinse car wash that just requires 2 buckets of water to wash your entire car with no need to spray it with a hose if you opt not to. You can clean the whole thing in your garage with the garage door closed with little mess.
Just something to consider. Not trying to rebuke your for using the car wash, but I wanted to make sure you understood that it could be risking your new car. Whether this is a real world concern or just a theoretical issue I have no idea, however.
Cheers.�
Dec 11, 2012
clea That is not what I understood at all. What I recall from somewhere was that Tesla stated that touchless car washes were OK. So that would imply that they were not concerned about the jets, contrary to what your understanding is. Have we seen other official guidance from Tesla on this that I have missed?�
Dec 11, 2012
mnx You are correct clea, the owners manual says touchless car washes are ok.
�
Dec 11, 2012
Ceilidh I am just repeating what I was told elsewhere. Most touchless washes I know do not utilize the same undercarriage sprayers that the conveyor belt type wash places use. This could account for the difference, but I may well be wrong.
Cheers.�
Dec 11, 2012
Doug_G Tesla doesn't recommend any automatic car washes for the Roadster, but that's more because of the soft carbon fiber body. That said I know people who DO take their Roadsters to touchless washes (not me!) without issue. I do plan to take my Model S to the touchless wash, at least in the winter when hand washing is not very practical.�
Dec 11, 2012
shokunin I've been doing rinseless washes for awhile and prefer it to the traditional hose and bucket method. with Rinseless and 2 buckets (1 with the soap, the other plain water) and hand held sprayer to presoak / prespray each panel.
I spray (with the rinseless solution in the spryaer) one panel at a time, like the front fender. The pre-soaking spray starts lifting the dirt off the surface, emulsifying it and then use the soap in the bucket and a MF towel, MF sponge, or grout sponge to then wipe the panel in one direction at a time, flipping the wash media (if you're using a grout sponge or mf towel) as you go. Put the dirty sponge in the plain water bucket to rinse off the dirt, squeeze dry and then put it back in the soap bucket. Then I simply wipe off the washed panel with a microfiber towel until dry. That panel is done, now move to driver side driver door, then passenger door, etc.
I like using this method as my current car is black, southern California has super hard water and when I do the traditional wash, I cannot run around the car fast enough without getting hard water spots. It is slower doing 1 panel at a time, but it comes out so much cleaner, uses less than 4 gallons of water total, and for me is much more enjoyable.
I use Optimum No-Rinse (ONR) wash, but there's Ultima Waterless wash Plus, Duragloss rinseless with Aquawax and several others that provide great washing polymers.
There is a difference between rinseless and waterless if you do look at different cleaners. Waterless are more like quick detailers where you don't even need a bucket, but provide much safer and stronger cleaning polymers than traditional quick detailers.�
Dec 11, 2012
Ceilidh Just to clarify, I was not suggesting that touchless car washes with sprays from the side or top or any angle in between pose an issue.
I was told some time in the past (and now I can't remember the source, so reliability is questionable but the concept makes some sense) that it was the undercarriage high pressure sprays where the conveyor passes the car over nozzles on the ground pointing straight up, or an angle close to straight up, from underneath the car. With those type of washes, the nozzle is positioned mere inches from the battery pack seams and shoots water at high pressure directly at them. Common sense would seem to tell me that a $30K battery pack may not be worth that risk, regardless of whether this is technically correct as the reason for the car wash recommendations.
I don't recall ever seeing a touchless car wash that had this configuration, which is why am am thinking this is a possible reason why Tesla would say conveyors are bad and touchless is ok.
Now, whether this is really the rationale I am not sure but that was my understanding. If this is not TMC's rationale, I would be very interested in knowing what the rationale actually is so I can make sure to avoid whatever they think is bad in any other scenarios where it may be applicable.
Cheers.�
Dec 11, 2012
jerry33 One of my co-workers just had his outside mirror torn off yesterday by one of the non-touchless car washes. I suspect that's the main reason. Also, for those car washes with tracks, the bolts holding the tracks together can do a number on the tires' sidewalls--especially if the tires are wide. I've seen far too many tires damaged that way.�
Dec 11, 2012
Kipernicus Won't the battery and undercarriage get corroded from all the winter salt (where applicable) if it isn't washed off? Is it sufficient to stick the hose down there and spray around?�
Dec 11, 2012
EarlyAdopter Not 100% sure, but I think the battery pack is encased in aluminum. Much of the rest of the undercarriage will be aluminum from the body, and most of the major suspension parts are aluminum, so no issues there with salt corrosion. The motor casing is likely stainless steel.
A spray from a hose should be plenty to remove road salt. Give it a good blast in each wheel well and under the body, particularly around back by the motor, and you should be fine.�
Dec 11, 2012
Darren I washed my car last weekend, and left the key in the car and had the door handles retracted. The two-bucket method is the best way to wash. When I was drying the car, I just extended the door handles and dried each one with no problems.
One thing that was difficult was getting under the windshield wipers. I couldn't figure out how to put up the windshield wipers. I usually keep it up when i'm washing my other cars. The frunk was blocking them.�
Dec 11, 2012
Doug_G Unfortunately salt corrosion is? an issue with aluminum.�
Dec 11, 2012
byt Anyone recommend for or against this stuff?
Mr. Clean Autodry Carwash System with Starter Filter:Amazon:Home Improvement�
Dec 12, 2012
EarlyAdopter Galvanic corrosion can be an issue with aluminum where it is in direct contact with other metals, like steel or copper, but that can be readily mitigated by keeping the metals separated, either by design or use of insulating materials between them where they must come into contact, like bolts. I presume Tesla has knowledgable materials engineers on staff and they did the right things here. If so, salt will be a non-issue. If not, then indeed there could be problems over time.
Aluminum, on its own, can be directly exposed to salt water for decades with only minimal surface pitting and no reduction in strength.�
Dec 12, 2012
mknox The touchless wash I use does, but if you buy a less expensive wash package, you can get it without the undercarriage spray...
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I LOVED that system, but it has been discontinued :crying:�
Dec 12, 2012
byt It's been discontinued? So they still sell the supplies for it at least as I still have the system.�
Dec 12, 2012
mknox Supplies are discontinued as well (I still have the system too). I have been able to find some supplies on eBay in the US, but there are apparently restrictions on importing "chemicals" into Canada. There was a discount store near me that bought up a bunch of "remainders" the filters and soap, but they got cleaned out (pardon the pun) before I was able to get there and stock up.
For those that don't know, the big claim to fame was the special filter that created a perfectly contaminate free rinse, and the car would air dry to a perfect shine (no water spots) without any toweling off.�
Dec 12, 2012
Brian H No, steel. In the NatGeo Factory film, at 41.50, it's mentioned.�
Dec 12, 2012
EarlyAdopter Ah, cool. Thanks. Makes sense for the extra armoring and better containment of catastrophic thermal runaway.
Here's hoping that big slab of steel is properly insulated from the big hunk of aluminum (the body) it's attached to.�
Dec 13, 2012
Brian H Actually, strength and rigidity is mentioned as the benefit.�
Dec 13, 2012
Brian H And Aluminum is a better heat (and electricity) conductor than steel.�
Dec 15, 2012
EarlyAdopter Armoring = strength and rigidity.
Catastrophic thermal runaway = ignition and venting, well past caring about thermal conductivity�
Dec 17, 2012
montgom626 Tow mode! Great!�
Dec 17, 2012
spleen FWIW, all this was essentially a deionizing water filter that removed contaminants from tap water (removes all hardness) and therefore, prevented spots from forming when air drying. You could accomplish the same thing by washing your car normally and doing a final rinse with deionized (DI) water. Amazon has other products that do something similar as the old Mr. Clean system (albeit more expensive but the filter will last much longer since it's a lot bigger)
Spotless Water System�
Dec 17, 2012
mknox Fantastic! Thanks.�
Dec 18, 2012
contaygious I just receivd a ton of products from chemical guys. I'm pretty impressed with their towels and mitts so far. I used to mess up my microfiber because I put it in the wash with detergent, but this time I got the microfiber cleaner. Small price to pay, but can't take the s to the car wash. I bought 2 of each below:
-CHENILLE MICROFIBER WASH MITT ELITE DELUXE SUPER PREMIUM SCRATCH FREE
-MIC_1995 WOOLLY MAMMOTH DRYER TOWEL 25 x 36 EXTREME FURRINESS Gray with Gray Silk Edges (1 Towel)
-MIC_801_03 POLISHING TOWELS - Edgeless NO-BUNCH MICROFIBER TOWELS 16 x16 (SUPER SALE 3 Pack)
-CWS_201 MicroFiber Rejuvenator Microfiber WASH Cleaning Detergent Concentrate (1 Gal)
-MIC_403 Chemical Guys Microfiber Wheel Wedge & Rim Detailer
-ACC_101 DETAILING BUCKET WITH GRIT GUARD AND EXTRAS! (NICE)
-MIC_1024_1 SUPER QUALITY MICRO-COTTON MICROFIBERS Ultra Plush Detailing Towels - 24" x 17" BUFFING MICROFIBER TOWEL (1pkg)
Plus 2 free shampoos�
Jan 1, 2013
Mike_Schlechter So, opinions on carwashing or not aside, my car needs a wash and my driveway isn't an option due to snow and freezing temps.
I decided to test the driver seatbelt trick to no avail. I also looked for Zextraterrestrial's tow mode, but don't see it... HELP!
Oh, and I am writing this from inside my Model S!�
Jan 1, 2013
William13 Stay in car.�
Jan 2, 2013
Mike_Schlechter Thought that might be the trick.... Hoping this can be resolved in a future release.�
Jan 2, 2013
efxjim A car wash mode that lets the car stay in last gear selected would be great. I doubt the wipers are connected to the computer but if they are how about stopping at a half wipe for cleaning the windshield.�
Jan 2, 2013
mknox There are a number of "Touchless" washes in my neck of the woods where you drive in, put the car in Park and the mechanism moves around the stationary car. When done, you drive slowly out the other end where high speed blowers dry the car. They don't do a perfect job, but in the depths of winter, what choice do you have?�
Jan 4, 2013
Brian H There is no mid-wipe stop on the MS wipers. They always go home.�
Jan 4, 2013
Mike_Schlechter Can the car be safely driven, albeit for only a few yards, in jack mode?�
Jan 5, 2013
TheAustin Well, that was interesting...
I went to the car wash yesterday, got there right before closing. I got the whole "What kind of car is that?!?! from the guy that started me up...And by the time I got through the wash, everyone that works at the place (with the exception of the female cashier) came out and crowded around the car to have a look at it. The two brothers that work there even got their dad (the owner) to come out and look at it...He said "Wow, I was just reading about this car!!! This is the first one we've had here! He seemed about as excited to see it and have it at his place as I was to get it delivered before New Years! They all asked tons of questions, and marveled at the styling of the car, the huge touch screen, and it being all electric. I swear, I bet they fuss over Lamborghini's less! It was quite an interesting experience...I've had people remark about the car and ask me questions, but never in a group like that.
Some things to note: I followed the instructions in the Owners Guide about putting the car in Neutral and keeping it there (Raising the car up, putting it in Jack mode, and then manually turning the car off on the touch screen)...But, as soon as I got out of the car, it popped back into Park. Hmmmm. So, they told me to stay in the car (which the normally don't let you do at this car wash) to keep it in Neutral...Which worked, but even still, about half-way through we hit a bump and the car slammed back into Park. They had to emergency-stop the wash and let me get it set back into Neutral...It was a little disconcerting, to say they least! But that was the only hiccup, we made it through fine after that.
One last note: While they were drying the car off, I popped the Frunk (I'm still having a hard time saying that with a straight face though, so I usually just say 'the hood,' or 'the bonnet'), and there was a fair amount of water around the flat edges of the storage area under the hood...I didn't seem to have dripped down into the storage area, but I was not thrilled to see that. FYI, this was not a "Brushless" car wash, but it's the only car wash anywhere near here...And we survived�
Jan 5, 2013
kishdude Great story. I had a similar experience with my car at the wash, but I had them hand wash the car instead of putting it through the wash. So there is no way for the car to remain in neutral without the driver being in the seat?
Also, which type of wheels do you have? I have the the 21s and I'm worried that they may get scratched by the track that the wheels go in.�
Jan 5, 2013
TheAustin There must be/should be, but it didn't work for me...I'm going to try it again at home and see what happens. I also have the 21s, and I was concerned, but the car was covered with road debris, and salt/grip for the snow we had last weekend, so I really needed to get a quick, clean wash on it, and didn't have time to schedule a hand wash detail. It was dark when I got home, but I'll check the rims today and see if there was any scuffing.
�
Jan 5, 2013
Lloyd I know that Daedalus ran his through a wash here, and had wheel damage on his 21's when he was finished from the rail. I highly suggest that you do NOT allow your car to go through an automatic wash!!�
Jan 5, 2013
jerry33 He's lucky he didn't get tire damage as well. Car wash rails are not kind to tires.�
Jan 5, 2013
efxjim I took mine through the "hand wash". Inspected the track and it was new and smooth. Left the car on (wipers off). Put it in neutral and let it pull me through while steering about 1/2" right to keep the 21's from rubbing on the outside. Enjoyed the ride and didn't wiggle around in the seat:wink:. Then drove over to the wipe down area and told him to keep the front door open a little so it wouldn't lock. Only then could I leave my baby and pay up. Tesla needs a a car wash mode that lets the car stay in the gear it was left in. Leaves it on with out the key fob present and doesn't lockup or retract door handles. It could automatically exit this mode after driving a preset distance.�
Jan 5, 2013
Mike_Schlechter Ok, I've tried the hi suspension, jack mode, neutral, powered off method and as soon as I get out of the car the parking brake is applied. Vey annoying.�
Jan 5, 2013
Francis Lau I would not use an automatic car wash so I hand washed my car once at home. I used a car wash brush with a long handle to apply soap and then rinse off with a hose. This kept me warmer in the cold winter weather. The brush meant I don't have to get my hands wet.
Then, the other evening, I tried a self wash location like the one shown below. It was even better. Finished washing in warm water in 8 minutes for $4. The powerful spray also got the wheel wells very clean.
But alas, in the Seattle rainy weather, my baby was no longer spotless by the next day :smile:�
Jan 5, 2013
GDH The large gaps between the hood and the fender are a concern.�
Jan 5, 2013
Mike_Schlechter So, for $3 more I am getting the hand wash. They won't let someone sit in the car as it goes through the line.
Also, there are four guys just staring at it right now. I the mean time I'm enjoying the free wifi and crappy coffee.�
Jan 5, 2013
JohnQ Mike--Which car wash did you take it to? The one on Rt 7 across from the schools in Wilton? Curious if they did a good job or not.�
Jan 5, 2013
Doug_G This time of year I can't even get my car home before it is dirty again.
If you want an automated wash, find one where you drive the car in and park, then the machine works around the car. Most of the washes around here work that way.
Also if you want it to not pop out of neutral, turn the car off using the touchscreen.�
Jan 5, 2013
Mike_Schlechter Yep, the Splash in Wilton. They did a great job, and were good about asking questions, like how to open the back and the frunk, and even managed to de-smudge the touchscreen. For $3 more it was a good deal, thought I do hope the ability to stay in neutral eventually works. If this thing needs to be towed it isn't going to be easy.
If you are interested in a test drive and live nearby PM me.
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Doesn't work. I've tried it several times. There is a bug in 4.1, as it worked when I had 4.0.�
Jan 5, 2013
William3 Sounds like neutral is problematic. Since you're going to be in the car, how about leaving it in Drive but with Creep turned off?�
Jan 5, 2013
spentan There is a car wash near my work (in Canberra Australia) which is brushless (High pressure water), and it has no rails or anything, you just drive in, there is an underbody high pressure wash while you're driving in, and once you're in, there is a high pressure upside down L shaped set of jets that go around the car.
I find its the best automatic wash for my current Chrysler 300C, All the others I've seen have rails, and use brushes which leave at least microscratches etc.�
Jan 5, 2013
huntjo Went to Whistle-clean in Ft. Collins today to get the snow grime washed off. Much to my chagrin, they said this was the SECOND model S they'd seen!! Someone stole my thunder! I'm looking at you wycolo!!!�
Jan 5, 2013
GeekGirls The owner's manual suggests putting the car in neutral and then turning the car off manually from the touchscreen, which prevents the automatic shift into park. Just make sure nothing will touch the screen or the brake, either of which will restart the system. I haven't yet experimented with how this interacts with key proximity with the Tech Package. Perhaps you also need to leave the fob in the car?�
Jan 8, 2013
byt I just bought this stuff, Freedom Waterless Car Wash online for the areas of the car I can't spray open water on. Under the frunk, trunk and interior door wells are the perfect example. Anyone try this stuff or have something better? This is also good for cold weather, in the garage cleaning of the Model S.�
Jan 8, 2013
DrComputer Did you try the trick of buckling the driver's seat belt behind you before getting out?�
Jan 8, 2013
Blurry_Eyed I watched Cinergi's video of what a Factory Delivery walk-through of the features of the Model S are - Tesla factory delivery on Livestream - and I learned a few things that I didn't know before!
One of them solves the issue of getting out of the car in a car wash - While the car is on go to the car controls where the 'E-brake & Power off' controls are. Turn off the parking brake through the touch screen and then power the car off through the touch screen. That should put the car in neutral and keep it there so it's free rolling. You should be able to get out of the driver seat without the parking brake activating and the car going into park!�
Jan 8, 2013
cinergi You may need to put the car into neutral using the touch screen and not the lever on the steering column (and then power down).�
Jan 8, 2013
kevincwelch Didn't this lock Rob and Barbara out of their car back in the fall?�
Jan 9, 2013
Mike_Schlechter Worked in 4.0, not 4.1.�
Jan 10, 2013
DavidM The best automatic car wash I've ever used was a brushless wash in San Diego. There are no rails. You slowly drive the car in, until instructed to stop. You remsin there until the wash is done. When the wash is done, you are instructed to pull forward and the drying begins. Nothing touches the car but soap, water, and air. This is the only type of automatic car wash that I would dare take my Model S to. Now if I can only find one of these in Florida.�
Jan 10, 2013
TheAustin I actually figured it out yesterday...The process works, and at some point, you do have to hit the brake and then tap a button on the touchscreen to put the car in Neutral...HOWEVER...The most important step, which I didn't see mentioned anywhere is, you have to perform the procedure with the driver's door OPEN. If not, it will shift back into Park when you open the door and get out. But if you open the door and then run the procedure, the car stays in Neutral, even after you get out and close the door. Yay!
And, believe me...I would much rather to to a touches car wash...But there is one car wash within 30-45 of my house...So, for better or worse, it's the drive-through, or me and a bucket & sponge. And, considering it's been in the 20's-30's in New York the last couple of weeks, I don't plan on seeing my bucket & sponge for quite some time!
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At this particular car wash, they normally don't allow people to stay in the car, they made an exception for me due to the glitches...But I have to say, I really like your idea...I think I may forget that I "figured it out" and try your suggestion next time (Assuming that they continue to allow me to sit in the car during the wash). Thanks for the great suggestion!
�
Jan 10, 2013
NigelM See also this thread: Eco-friendly-waterless-car-wash-products-services�
Feb 14, 2013
SSher For those of you in the northern Chicago suburbs, Splash Car Wash on Dundee and Skokie Valley in Northbrook did a great job with my first hand car wash.�
Mar 4, 2013
giants2001 Took a road trip last weekend to LA using the SCs. It was a great experience and met some really nice Model S owners along the way. The only downside was how dirty the car got. I live in a Townhome and there are HOA rules against washing you car in the street. I use some waterless products in the garage to keep the car clean in between major washes, but after this road trip my baby blue needed some real lovin.
I was fortunate enough to find a local detailer in the South Bay that did an incredible job. Christine from My Messed Up Manicure spent over 5 hours detailing the car inside and out. Fabulous work and at a great price. If anyone is looking for a local detailer who knows what they're doing (ehem, I'm looking at you AJs), then I highly recommend you contact her. She even went to TeslaMotorsClub to get some information on any trouble spots to look out for without me even mentioning this site. Can you say proactive and attention to detail :biggrin: . Sorry if this turned into an advertisement, but just wanted to share how thrilled I was with the end result.
Here is a link to her FB Page and Yelp if interested. She took a lot of before and after pictures, so I wont post any here. Just look at all that sap...ewwwww :scared: - so happy to have the car looking like I did when I picked it up from the factory!!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Messed-Up-Manicure/124141380999405
My Messed Up Manicure/ Automotive Detailing - San Jose, CA�
Mar 4, 2013
pilotSteve Drive to Bend Oregon (again) this weekend from Portland. Up and over Mount Hood (4000'+ elevation gain) and there was considerable wet road grime as well as about 15 minutes of light snow.
upon arrival the car's lovely rear was covered in road grime and cinder dust. Uggh. So I took it thru a touch-less car wash (machine moves around the car). I have to admit, the end result was pretty darn good!
I've tried to use high pressure wand washes in rise only mode (to avoid scratches) and the car just doesn't get close to clean. The 'touch less' does use chemicals but they do an 80% job of removing road grime while not scratching the car. I was pretty impressed.�
Mar 4, 2013
Kaivball Good to know.
What's her hourly rate?�
Mar 4, 2013
giants2001 She quoted me $175 for a complete detail inside and out. She had estimated 3-4 hours, but it took about 5 hours. Next time I come back it will be $50 and shouldn't take more the 2 hours.
So I would talk with her and settle on a price that fits the job, not necessarily how long it will take. Also, you can use her Audi to run errands if you don't have a spare vehicle or if you drop off the car like I did. It's no Tesla, but allowed me to get around town ...and definitely makes you appreciate how fortunate we are not to be driving an ICE :wink:�
Mar 4, 2013
Kaivball That's very low. My normal detail guy charges $50 an hour but then you car is concourse level when he is done (15 hours later...
Even regular detailers charge about $350 for a solid inside and out job.�
Mar 5, 2013
Al Sherman My quote is 255 for a 4 hour interior/exterior detail. This includes: Degrease & hand clean entire engine area. So, I guess some negotiation is in order?�
Sep 12, 2013
vfx http://www.carwash.com/articles/88191-attention-be-aware-of-the-tesla-model-s-electric-vehicle
�
Sep 12, 2013
texex91 And the part that he is spot on about (no pun intended) is:
"Jones also indicated that Tesla does not recommend using automated car washes to clean the Model S."�
Sep 12, 2013
gnelson I use 2 gal of water when I hand wash my Model S�
Sep 22, 2014
hughconn Car Wash - The Final Word?
So in the end, is the car wash with the rollers that move the car through the car wash - a bad idea for the Model S? But touchless ones are OK? Tried Tow mode for a car wash but it took a few tries to get tow mode off. Car doesn't like to stay in Neutral for long, thinks it should shift to park instead. Made me think I better just go back to hand wash.�
Sep 22, 2014
dsm363 Hand washing is better for any car I believe. Touch less better than roller car washes.�
May 15, 2015
EdA Car wash visit goes terribly wrong; Porsche destroyed - Massachusetts news - Boston.com�
May 15, 2015
WillAustin I was told by Tesla when I picked up my 85D, hand wash only. No touchless either.�
May 15, 2015
rickgt will not let this car through a car wash... I hand wash. use very little water, finish with sprays and soft cloths... works fine.�
May 15, 2015
wayner What's wrong with a touchless? I have only had mine hand washed but one thing I have noticed after it is washed is that water seems to get down into the door. When you roll down the window and then toll it back up it is covered with water.�
May 15, 2015
Thud That's because Tesla uses paint that conforms to California environmental restrictions, which is only slightly tougher than the paint in your kid's watercolor set. A high power water jet will just expose the bare aluminum underneath.
Don't use an automatic car wash, or brush, or any sort of sponge, or even look at it the wrong way, because it'll scratch!
In fact, before you even drive the car, might as well just go ahead and plop down another couple grand on paint protection films and sealants.�
May 15, 2015
Skotty Where are you all finding car washes where the car is sent through with no one in it? That's crazy. I've been through plenty of automatic car washes (mostly in Missouri), and you always stay seated in your car while either a conveyor pulls you through or you drive through following stop/go lights. There's no getting out.�
May 15, 2015
gg_got_a_tesla The first battery swap station is a repurposed car wash facility; just saying�
May 15, 2015
Nitram I go to a regular (but nice quality) car wash regularly with my S. I have 19' wheels and would not do it with the 21's because they would rub against the side rails.
But I noticed that even when sitting in the car during the process, after a while the car switches to P. To work around this, I now turn creep mode on, then set it to N. For some reason it does not switch to P when creep is on.�
May 15, 2015
MajesticSound In the weeks before my S arrived I did a lot of research on caring for my new ride. I follow the 2 bucket wash with grit guards and a foam gun (love the foam gun). I get most of the water off with my Toro Blower (it's what they do at a car wash right?). Then a light synthetic chamois for what is left. All rubber, vinyl, plastic, and leather gets 303 Aerospace Protectant (fantastic stuff). Aquapel rain repellent glass treatment is great. A few people have written manifestos on car cleaning, I read them and used some ideas and not others. My car just hit a year old and no swirls at all.�
May 15, 2015
AmpedRealtor Scottsdale Service center washes all cars at a touchless car wash.�
May 17, 2015
brucet999 I'm surprised overhead clearance was enough with those 19-foot wheels.�
May 17, 2015
Nitram Needless to say that it was very tight. :wink:�
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