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

 

Bucket and sponge?

I once had a hand car wash guy tell me that my engine sounded as if it was out of oil. He claimed he "used to be" a mechanic (so, why are you now washing cars then?) so he would know. Oil was perfect, so maybe he didn't realise it was a diesel...

A

 

Great point you bring up, schmitty. I had NEVER even thought of this issue.

Based on your post, I'm thinking of printing out a sheet of steps and putting it in the vehicle, using this as my translator:

http://world.altavista.com/


I haven't given it much thought, but something like "empuje el boton dos veces para encender el motor" (push the button twice to start the engine) or something.

Anyway, I'm sure with all of the brains we have on this forum, we can come up with something that works.

Oh, just thought of another'n : "No dañe mi coche, o usted pagará infierno" - Don't damage my car, or you'll have hell to pay. :-)

 

How about a sign that reads:

"If car does not move when put in DRIVE - contact owner"

Or my solution - I wash it myself.

 

I've been limiting myself to those car washes where you sit in the car and ride through them but I occasionally like to go to a full service wash to get the accumulated cruddies out of the interior cracks and crevises.

 

I've avoided taking the car to some valet parking events because of these issues...

 

Aaaahhh, if only to be young again.

 

It's the bucket and sponge that keeps you young!

 

My TCH came with a little grey card (that can be attached to the steering wheel with a string) with "how to start" instructions printed both in English and Spanish.

I have saved it carefully and plan to use it in such situations.

 

I don't know where you live, but I got the same thing. Your idea sounded great until I looked at the card and on mine at least it's printed in English and FRENCH, not spanish. French makes sence, due to the sales of the Hybrid in Canadia. Yes, I said Canadia.


Not hacking at you, just want to make sure you double-check your card to ensure you don't give FRENCH instructions to a carwash that doesn't employ any french speakers.

You do bring up a good point, though, one could easily translate those instructions into spanish and place that in the car.