Car Washers Recognize Mercedes-Benz for Wash Innovation

Mercedes-Benz has announced that they will include a car wash function as standard equipment on their 2020 GLS model. The International Carwash Association (ICA) and its network of more than 15,000 car washers thank the Mercedes-Benz team for leading the way to vehicle set up simplification for drivers and wash operators everywhere!

Placing the GLS in “Car Wash Mode” automatically performs the following functions:

• The mirrors fold in
• All windows and sun roof close
• The automatic windshield wipers deactivate
• The climate control moves to recirculate mode
• The GLS has a 360-degree camera that switches to front view to assist in guiding the car into the wash
• The car’s active suspension moves to its highest position to assure ground clearance and aid in cleaning the wheel arches

All of these functions return to normal operation once the car leaves the wash and reaches 12 mph on the road. This makes it easier for drivers as they navigate increasingly complex automotive systems.

In January 2017, ICA published a survey of 245 carwash owners representing 500 car wash facilities. Wash owners reported a number of concerns with ADAS technology interrupting carwash movement:

• 78.7% reported damage to automatic wipers due to operation during the wash cycle
• 61.1% reported problems with transmissions not allowing vehicles to roll through the wash system in neutral (Auto Shift to PARK)
• 39.3% reported issues with stop/start systems applying during the wash cycle
• 38.4% reported problems with keyless fobs and 26.1% noted vehicles with keyless exterior entry systems being locked by contact with brushes
• 37.4% reported collision avoidance systems applying during the wash cycle

ICA recommended the addition of a “Car Wash Mode” that would deactivate these systems to allow unimpeded travel through an automatic car wash. With its car wash function, Mercedes is showing other vehicle manufacturers that this is an idea whose time has come!

OEMs and auto manufacturers seeking more information about the car wash function can visit www.carwash.org/carwashmode. Thank you to Mercedes-Benz from the entire car washing community!