With the Prius and now the TCH I have nothing but problems
in car washes.
Typically what happens is:
1) I tell the attendant it's a hybrid and he says he is familiar
with them. No probelmo.
2) I exit the car in park leaving the car in READY mode.
Still No Problemo.
3) The attendant will then either put the car in drive and
drive it to the car wash entry or figuring the engine isn't
running will push the START button. If the car is in neutral
(as it should be) this will put the TCH into ACC mode.
I guess this is OK.
4) Now the car exits the car wash and attendant #2
hops in and is oblivious to the fact it's a hybrid even
though it still has all its badges. Figuring the car is
off he presses the START button and doesn't hear the
engine crank since its a hybrid. One of a myriad of scenarios will
follow depending on whether the car is still in neutral
or park and whether the brake is pressed or not.
Usually the car ends up in neutral or drive and ACC mode.

I was thinking of putting a Post-It note over the START
button to keep them from pressing it but I think they
want assurance the car is really OFF before it enters
the wash for safety reasons.

Anybody have a proven protocol that works with
carwash attendants who may or may not speak
english?

J