Since we were little kids, we were taught that electricity and water don’t go well together which prompts the question can you put an electric car through car wash? Well, you can. There is absolutely no reason for you not to take your EV through a car wash as electric cars are designed to be soaked and rained on just like any other car.
Electric cars have their electric systems sealed off which prevents any water from getting in contact with the battery and other essential wiring. The fact of the matter is, electric cars are even better than combustion engine cars when it comes to water because they don’t have as many breathers as normal cars do.
This means that an electric car is going to withstand flooding much better than a combustion engine car. Elon Musk even said himself that the Tesla Model S is so well sealed that it can actually float on water. Be that is at may, DO NOT ATTEMPT to do this yourself.
However, there are some intricacies about car washes you need to know as some of them can damage your car.
Which Type Of Car Wash Should I Use?
- Self-Service Car Wash
- Your Local Car Was Guy
- Mobile Detailing
- Automatic Drive-In Car Wash
Self-Service Car Wash
One of the most popular ways to wash your car is to take it through a good old self-service car wash which usually is the most time-efficient and affordable option. These service station car washes have all the right tools for the job which means that you don’t have to worry about anything. These stations are only as good as your car washing skill.
Be sure to go through all the different programs if you want your car to be as clean as it can be. These car washes are quick and easy, usually are open 24/7, and are not expensive. However, they can also often be crowded, limited in options, don’t use the highest quality products, and can sometimes scratch your car easily.
Local Car Wash Guy
Taking your car to your local car wash guy is as old school as it gets. These guys have been around for decades and are usually really skilled when it comes to washing cars. They also have all the equipment you need and will usually take their time with your car until they make it shine. If they do a good job, you are likely to come back again which is a win-win situation.
As such, these guys tend to be really meticulous not to scratch your car. However, they can be really expensive at times and if they are any good, they are likely going to be busy all the time.
Mobile Car Detailing
In today’s day and age, you don’t even have to go to a carwash as a carwash can come to you. A mobile detailer is a person/group of people that are willing to come to you and wash your car on your driveway which means that you don’t even have to lift a finger. These companies tend to use the best products and are the most skilled at their job.
It is extremely convenient and time-saving to have someone come to you. However, these services are also by far the most expensive ones, sometimes costing a few times what you’d usually have to pay to your local car wash guy.
Automatic Drive-In Car Wash
If time is of great importance, going through an automatic tunnel car wash is always going to be the easiest and quickest way to wash your car. All you need to do is arrive at the location, wait for your turn, go into the car wash, pay, and you are free to go. If everything goes according to plan, this shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes or so.
However, these services tend to be really basic with absolutely no attention to detail. Humans aren’t involved in the process of washing your car which can often be a mistake. Low-quality products, potential scratches, and scuffs are all common with these types of car washes.
FAQ Section
Can I wash an EV while it’s charging?
Believe it or not, most EVs out there are designed to be washed while charging because most EV charging connectors are waterproof. However, it’s always a good idea to check your owner’s manual for any possible information regarding your specific car. If you don’t have to wash your car while it is charging, it’s better to unplug it.
Do be careful if you are using a pressure washer as these can often be really powerful, so much so that they can go through seals and even damage some of your electrical components. As such, don’t aim your pressure washer anywhere near the charge port.
How do electric cars do in the rain?
Contrary to popular belief, EVs actually perform better in the rain than their combustion engine counterparts. This is because EVs have all of their electrical components completely sealed off from the environment, and damaging these with moisture usually means puncturing layers upon layers of protective material.
As such, you can damage these components if you crash, but normal driving and even smaller accidents shouldn’t damage any of these components or make them vulnerable. If you do decide to drive your EV in a flood, your EV is designed to shut down all power if that is necessary to prevent short-circuiting. Either way, EVs withstand water and flooding better than combustion engine cars do because they need more air.
Do electric cars rust?
After we’ve established that an electric car powertrain can withstand water exposure better, we now need to talk about the rest of the car. As EVs and combustion engine cars are typically made out of galvanized steel and coated aluminum, they are perfectly safe from corrosion for at least a decade or two.
As such, there is no mentionable difference between EVs and combustion engine cars when it comes to rust.
