Taking a Tesla through a car wash requires some care. Car Wash Mode is designed to simplify the process and protect the vehicle while it is being washed. It automates several settings, reducing the risk of accidental damage and making the experience easier.
What Car Wash Mode does
Accessed through Controls > Car Wash Mode, the mode automatically carries out several useful actions as described in this report:
- Closes all windows
- Locks the charge port door to prevent it opening accidentally
- Disables automatic windscreen wipers
- Turns off Sentry Mode
- Disables Walk-Away Door Lock
- Mutes parking sensor chimes
- Provides easy access to Fold Mirrors and Enable Free Roll, as well as selecting Neutral through the gear stalk on cars equipped with one
It also displays a checklist showing the real-time status of various components, highlighting issues such as an open rear boot.
The weak point: windows opened after activation
One detail could still be missed. Although Car Wash Mode closed all the windows when activated, the behaviour described in the report did not monitor whether a window was subsequently lowered. A video shared on X illustrated the problem: a user said a friend had accidentally lowered a window after activating the mode, with damaging consequences for the interior.
How the feature could improve
Tesla could address the issue in several ways:
- Show an on-screen warning if a window is lowered while Car Wash Mode is active
- Temporarily prevent the rear windows from being opened while this mode is active
- Offer an override allowing a window to be opened when needed, after on-screen confirmation
It would be a small but useful improvement, one of those details that make the experience smoother and help prevent avoidable mistakes.
Let’s discuss it
Experiences, questions and perspectives from the Teslhub community.
Please keep the discussion respectful. Members’ comments are moderated before publication.
Start the conversation. Leave the first comment.