Valid concern or...?

[Trombean]

Hi everyone,

So as I get closer to pulling the trigger on a mach e, there is one thing that makes me a little nervous.

Car washes.

I've heard a lot of stories of car washes ripping out the charger door and what not. But even worse, some people say that when the charging port gets wet, it's ruined. Is there any truth to this?

Now the current car that I drive has a push-to-open gas tank cover and it occasionally will be pushed open when I go through a car wash, but nothing dramatic ever happens. I think that's because the one that I go to, there's no spinning parts that spin counter clockwise, so there doesn't seem to be much of a risk that something will get ripped off? (wishful thinking?) I'm more worried about the inside components getting wet and damaged.

Saw a post from someone in a facebook group that claimed if this happens, the whole car is ruined. Is that a possibility?

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[SpeedRacer72]

Hi everyone,

So as I get closer to pulling the trigger on a mach e, there is one thing that makes me a little nervous.

Car washes.

I've heard a lot of stories of car washes ripping out the charger door and what not. But even worse, some people say that when the charging port gets wet, it's ruined. Is there any truth to this?

Now the current car that I drive has a push-to-open gas tank cover and it occasionally will be pushed open when I go through a car wash, but nothing dramatic ever happens. I think that's because the one that I go to, there's no spinning parts that spin counter clockwise, so there doesn't seem to be much of a risk that something will get ripped off? (wishful thinking?) I'm more worried about the inside components getting wet and damaged.

Saw a post from someone in a facebook group that claimed if this happens, the whole car is ruined. Is that a possibility?

If the charge port gets wet, it will not cause any issues.
I have sprayed my charge port with water while charging and had no issues.
I have also plugged in my car during a rain storm and had no problems.
also, even without a charge handle plugged in to the port, the pins are sealed to prevent water getting behind the charge port

 

[BayPoodle]

There’s a long thread on here somewhere about car washes, in which someone recommends taping various doors/hatches closed, but there was some debate. I mostly hand wash with Shine Company’s Eco Wash. have never sprayed water directly into my charging port, but I have certainly plugged my car in in the pouring rain. No harm done.

 

[MacherAWD]

Going on 3 years old, used 5 different car washes, all automatic, probably 50 washes in that time, zero issues.

 

[Clockwork]

You are more likely to have issues with a car wash that isn't a touch free/brushless one, but that is true for all vehicles not just EVs.

There is really nothing different about your Mach-E.

 

[Vgkfan]

I don’t use auto hold, but I believe it has to be off. Mine is a 22 and if you aren’t staying in the car, there’s an additional step to keep it in neutral when you get out. Possibly has been changed in later models. I also use painters tape on thecharge door and frunk access door, and remove the rear wiper blade cover. Not sure if it’s necessary, but only one way to find out and haven’t had the nerve to try it. Several threads on washing your mach e on this forum for sure.
(EDIT) I also fold the side Mirrors in and turn off rain sensing.

 

[zvez]

for piece of mind you can tape the charge port door closed. This is what the manual says about running thru a car wash

 

[MBCook]

The only issue I’ve seen in 3 years is touchiness washes blowing open the little emergency frunk pop panel on the front bumper. So afterwards I just stick it back in place.

It’s designed to be easy to remove, seems reasonable enough.

Never had an issue with brush washes.

(Yes, I know. Paint swirls, only hand wash, don’t expose vehicle to air, blah blah blah. I’m lazy.)

 

[AtomicInternet]

I second the painter's tape for peace of mind. Keep a roll in your center console. If you forget to put it on, you can even ask the attendant to put it on the charge door (it's on drivers side so you can even point to it) before you enter.

After a few washes you'll probably forget all about it. Zero issues here.

 

[SonicBlue]

The charge port getting wet is not a problem.

The charge port door popping open could definitely happen. It doesn’t take much pressure.

I’ve taken my car through a car wash twice. A new, high-end Club Car Wash. The first time, no issues. The second time, one of the mirrors got bent backwards (think hyperextended elbow) and disconnected from the auto-folding actuator, and the front bumper jump port door got knocked loose. Both were easy to pop back into place, but I decided not to screw with car washes anymore.

Yeah, this car has problems with car washes. I don’t know that it is unique to this car.

I would spend a LOT more time thinking about things like resale value - not car washes - before you pull the trigger. Dude, look at the used Mach E market. I would demand an absolute fire sale price before buying new at this point.

 

[Bruboy]

I've ran mine through and ask them to tape it, they do the back wiper anyways....so....

 

[rainystateguy]

Hi everyone,

So as I get closer to pulling the trigger on a mach e, there is one thing that makes me a little nervous.

Car washes.

I've heard a lot of stories of car washes ripping out the charger door and what not. But even worse, some people say that when the charging port gets wet, it's ruined. Is there any truth to this?

Now the current car that I drive has a push-to-open gas tank cover and it occasionally will be pushed open when I go through a car wash, but nothing dramatic ever happens. I think that's because the one that I go to, there's no spinning parts that spin counter clockwise, so there doesn't seem to be much of a risk that something will get ripped off? (wishful thinking?) I'm more worried about the inside components getting wet and damaged.

Saw a post from someone in a facebook group that claimed if this happens, the whole car is ruined. Is that a possibility?

I'm on my 3rd and a half EV (the half was a Chevy Volt, a plug in hybrid) I have a monthly plan at a local car wash where I pay $29 a month and can go through the car wash as often as I wish, up to once a day. I take advantage of that 3 or 4 times a month and have had no problems. I should also point out that I live in an area of the country known for long, wet winters.

On occassion in the car wash the filler door has come open, and once or twice the brushes hasve pulled one of the mirrors to the far forward position, but nothing that wasn't fixable by exiting the car and pushing the offending item back to its original position. Yes, the vehicles are electric, but no a little water won't bother them.

When it comes to EV's there is a lot of misinformation bandied about, a goodly amount of which I suspect is planted by those who have a financial stake in the internal combustion vehicle industry. This very much seems like it would fit into that category.

 

[squirrels2nuts]

I have sprayed water directly into the open charge port during a car wash and then plugged in when I got home with no issues.

 

[Zardoz]

My biggest issue with the car wash has been a panel gap on the passenger side is sized just so it rips part of the car wash scrubbers off and leaves them embedded in the gap. The pieces generally come out by hand. And there are several areas where dust and dirt get, that the car washes do not reach.

 

[Zardoz]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J1772#Safety

Reading the safety section of Wikipedia, the pins are not energized when nothing is plugged in. I think that post on Facebook may have been made by someone who also forwards obviously photoshopped pictures to push their agenda...

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