Can An Electric Car Go Through A Carwash?

Buying an electric car doesn’t come without jitters over the most basic questions. We all know how electricity and water do not mix well, so most people are wary of taking an EV through a car wash.

Some believe that water can damage the electrical components inside an EV due to the high-pressure water jets in a carwash. Read on as we dissect this rumor:

You can take an electric car through a carwash without fearing any negative consequences. All electrical components inside an EV are protected by solid sealants that prevent water from seeping in and short-circuiting the wires. Unless these sealants have worn out, a carwash poses no threat to your e-car.

EV manufacturers have designed their cars to withstand water and other extreme temperatures. This is because they came installed with numerous safeguards to prevent water infiltration so that none of the electrical components in your EV get damaged.

In this guide, we’ll look at how these safeguards make it possible for your EV to go through a carwash and how you can wash an EV at home yourself.

Can An EV Car Go Through A Carwash Safely?

Electric cars are completely fine to be washed at a carwash wash as they have strong sealants that keep water from seeping into the battery pack and damaging the various electrical components.

All electric vehicles are soak-tested, which means they have been driven in severe rain. EV producers undertake extensive testing to guarantee that the sealants are waterproof and that the electric components can tolerate water exposure. EV makers additionally test the car in wet areas such as puddles to check whether the battery’s sealant covers are operating correctly.

Things can go south quickly if you drive an EV through a flood. However, car washes always remain well below flood levels. Furthermore, the water jets your vehicle is subjected to are safe and will not damage its paint or any exterior component.

3 Tips For Taking Your EV Through A Car Wash

Although taking your EV through a car wash is perfectly safe, it’s still a good idea to follow certain safety precautions. These include:

Before heading to the vehicle wash, ensure your EV’s battery is fully charged. Once entering the tunnel, put your vehicle in neutral to prevent the wheels from seizing so that you easily travel through the car wash tunnel.

Before starting the car wash process, it’s also a good idea to roll up your EV’s windows, retract its antenna, and lock the doors. This will keep the components that aren’t protected by sealants safe from water damage.

Once inside the car wash, turn your EV’s ignition on, but switch off any automatic functions. For example, windshield wipers can automatically start if you don’t switch them off.

Step-by-Step Guide To Washing Your EV By Yourself

Not everyone wants or can take their EV through a car wash regularly. Fortunately, you can easily wash your electric car at home following specific guidelines. If you want to get the job done quickly, you can use a pressure washer to speed up the cleaning process. If used properly, pressure washing can make even the dirtiest exterior shine.

For this process, you will need a pressure washer, two-three gallons of water, a car wash detergent, and a clean cloth. Here’s how to use these materials to clean your EV in a few simple steps:

1. Prepare The Pressure Washer

First, you need to prepare the pressure washer and adjust its settings. Be careful not to set the pressure too high or too low. The ideal pressure setting is around 1200 to 1900 PSI.

Next, you need to connect a hose to the pressure washer. Plug the hose in and check whether its length is sufficient to reach all regions of your vehicle.

2. Pre-rinse The Vehicle

Next, start rinsing your vehicle from the roof to remove the surface debris and grime. Ensure you rinse every part of the vehicle thoroughly, especially the tires, where most of the dirt mostly accumulates.

3. Wash With A Detergent

Now take the carwash detergent and pour it into a bucket of water. Clean the remaining debris starting from the top using a clean cloth. A mild up-and-down or sideways scrubbing can drastically reduce the presence of spiral patterns appearing on the body of your car.

Work in portions around your car, and wash the cloth in clean water after every few scrubs, which will keep dirt from accumulating back onto the surface’s exterior.

4. Rinse Off The Vehicle

Turn on the pressure washer and rinse the EV from top to bottom to remove any detergent residue. Once you’re done, gently dry the vehicle with a fresh microfiber cloth.

This cleaning procedure should take no more than half an hour. Just be careful not to spray the pressure washer directly on the headlights since this might damage their paint.

If you want to wash your vehicle by hand, ensure you’re not operating under scorching temperatures. High temperature may dry out the detergent before you even get to the washing procedure, leaving unsightly stains that are difficult to eliminate.

FAQs

How Frequently Should I Wash My EV?

You should thoroughly clean your vehicle at least once every week. However, how often you clean your vehicle depends on where you live. You might have to clean your vehicle more often if you live in an area with a lot of dust.

Can I Wax My Electric Car?

It’s always a good idea to wax your EV once you’re done cleaning it, as it will give it an extra shine and protect it from UV rays and watermarks. Just be extra careful while waxing so you don’t damage your car’s paintwork.

How Can I Clean My EV’s Seats?

Start by vacuuming the seats to remove the surface debris, making the cleaning process much more manageable. After that, you can use warm water and a microfibre cloth to wipe the stains from the seats.

Conclusion

An electric car is far more water-resistant than one would initially think. EV manufacturers have installed multiple safeguards to prevent water from harming the electrical components, which means that you can take your electric car through a carwash without worrying about you and your car’s safety.