Hi All,

Yesterday I took my 5th gen RX350h to automatic car wash for the first time and it was nerve wracking to be honest. Here in texas, in the automatic car washes, you basically drive the car to a moving platform, put the car in Neutral and the automatic car wash will move the car to different stages of the wash. There were couple of issues with this type of wash.

1. First, how do I put the car in neutral? I managed to keep the car in neutral by moving the shift lever to left and took it through the wash but the manual is recommending another hard-to-understand method. (see the attachment) Am I doing something wrong by simply shifting the level to N? I don't want the car to go into "P" mode in the middle of the wash and cause a domino-effect to other cars behind me!
2. Second, when the cleaning brushes, dryers etc approached the car, the RX collision sensors went crazy and beeping throughout the wash. Is there any way to disable them?
3. This being hybrid, do you guys recommend doing under the carriage wash as well? Will that cause any issues to hybrid system?

Overall, I kept it simple basic car wash and ignored the beeping alarms, but the overall experience was little scary.

thoughts?
-maadfw

 

Drove mine through one for the first time today too and I was a nervous wreck. I’d love to figure out how to get the sensors to stop dinging.

 

I only use touchless “LaserWash” types. No problems just pulling in and putting it in PARK. It’s a one-car-at-a-time wash with no “track”.

 

Geebus! Who wrote those instructions??? LOL

 

This must be a special procedure for the hybrid, I think in the gas car you just move the selector to the left and hold it there for 2 seconds - that's neutral. But this procedure seems to shut the engine off, is that what you want? Or does the car go through the wash while running? I haven't used an automatic car wash in decades.

 

The vehicle is shut off going through these auto car washes;. The vehicle moves by the car wash itself, neutral is to allow the wheels to rotate freely while going through.

 

Well then yes, if you want to turn the engine off in neutral - I guess the procedure above applies to the gas engine as well.

The same issue of finding neutral exists for towing the car - this is a big topic on the German car forums. Without power and the ability to start the car, you can't put the gearbox in neutral. The ZF autos used to have threaded service port in the transmission body that you could screw a bolt into to release Park (assuming you could slide under the car and find it), so the car could be towed/flat bedded. Apparently on the newer ZFs, that no long exists. So car washes aside, how do you engage neutral in the Lexus if the car has no power and/or otherwise cannot be started?

 

If you look at your screen, you should see an image of the car showing the sensor alerts that are being activate. There is a mute/silence button on the bottom of that.

 

I have an unlimited monthly car wash membership and have taken my 23 RX350h through several times. I do nothing different from what I did with my 2022. I simply put the car in neutral and pull the side mirrors in.

I think someone asked how to put it in neutral.... just push the shifter to the left and hold in that position for about 3 seconds until you see the car in neutral.

 

Thanks all, this is helpful next time. Also, I tried the instructions as per manual as well, that is also working. Using the manual instructions, we can put the car in neutral and turn off the hybrid system. I don't think it is needed for automatic car wash but will be helpful for towing, etc. hopefully I never get to use that

-maadfw

 

Pretty sure that you should NOT tow anything remotely related to an AWD. None of my other AWD/4WD can be towed. They go on dollies or better yet, a flat deck.

 

Yes, flatbed only for AWD. But the car still needs to be in neutral so it isn't dragged onto the deck. If this car behaves like the German cars, if you have no power and can't start the car, you can't engage neutral, and it becomes a big problem if you need to be towed (flat bedded).

 

I would only use a no touch car wash. Those other car washers with the giant hanging rags will scratch your clear coat. I turn off park assist, brake assist and the auto rain wipe setting to off and it’s perfectly quiet.

 

Dang, that is some scary stuff. Automatic car washes are scary enough because they beat the hell out of your car. But all those other issues on top of that. I think I'll just keep to washing myself or have it done with a rag and bucket. And you're right about those instructions from the OM. HUH?

 

Is there no car wash mode for these RX's? Don't forget the auto wipers as well.