Automatic car wash

WARNING Braking efficiency is reduced after washing 
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For this reason, you must drive particularly carefully after washing the vehicle until the brakes have dried.

You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car wash from the very start.

Automatic Car Wash as these use special Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless Automatic Car Wash as these use special cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can damage the paintwork or plastic parts.

If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before cleaning it in an automatic car wash.

make sure that the automatic transmission In car washes with a towing mechanism, make sure that the automatic transmission is in transmission position N, otherwise the vehicle could be damaged.

• Vehicles with a SmartKey:

Do not remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. Do not open the driver's door or front-passenger door when the engine is switched off. Otherwise, the automatic transmission selects park position P automatically and locks the wheels. You can prevent this by shifting the automatic transmission to N beforehand.

• Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:

Do not open the driver's door or frontpassenger door when the engine is switched off. Otherwise, the automatic transmission selects park position P automatically and locks the wheels.

Observe the following to make sure that the automatic transmission stays in position N:

► Make sure the vehicle is stationary and the ignition is switched off.
► Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
► Depress and hold the brake pedal.
► Shift the automatic transmission to position N.
► Release the brake pedal.
► Release the parking brake.
► Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey in the ignition lock.

Make sure that:

• the side windows and the sliding sunroof are fully closed.
• the ventilation/heating is switched off (the OFF button has been pressed).
• the windshield wiper switch is in position 0.

Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.

After using an automatic car wash, wipe off wax from the windshield and the wiper blades. This will prevent smears and reduce wiping noises caused by residue on the windshield.

    See also:

    Locking the vehicle (mechanical key)
    If the vehicle can no longer be locked with the SmartKey, use the mechanical key. - Open the driver's door. - Close the front-passenger door, the rear doors and the tailgate. - Press the lockin ...

    Problems with the engine
    Problem Possible causes/consequences and Solutions The engine does not start. The starter motor can be heard. • There is a malfunction in the engine electronics. • Th ...

    Folding the exterior mirrors in or out electrically
    - Make sure that the SmartKey is in position 1 or 2 in the ignition lock. - Briefly press button 1. Both exterior mirrors fold in or out. Make sure that the exterior mirrors are always fol ...