Car came off the conveyor in the car wash

[dunwerkin]

I turned off the ignition as my car moved forward on the conveyor. Towards the end of the wash cycle I was looking out of the window on the driver's side watching the strips and when I looked through the windscreen again I was alarmed to see that my car was up against the exit framework. As the rear wheel was still on the conveyor it was pushed along a bit more scraping down the side of the car.

The car wash operative insisted that I must have driven my month old car into the framework myself!

I have been advised by a man who knows that turning off the ignition on a power steered car is the wrong thing to do in a car wash. Have any of you had a similar experience?

[sara3]

the car wash I use has a "conveyor" thing. I'm pretty sure there are signs not to turn your engine off.

[mickrog]

I realised long ago that the best thing to do is to avoid these car washes.There are so many hand wash centres around that do a good job without using the hard brushes etc that are used by automatic washes.To take any car, yet alone one so new,into an automatic car wash is not a good idea.

[SlackAlice]

I use a car wash conveyor. The instructions are switch off ignition, do not remove key, handbrake off, car in neutral.

[mickrog]

and get the t cut ready lol

[SlackAlice]

Don't need the t-cut, and would not use it on a metallic anyway.

[AlBags]

Ruddy handbrake 'ON' I would think!

Effectively you should be parked, engine off and doors/windows all shut.

[SlackAlice]

Handbrake definitely OFF! Car moves through the carwash which is static.

[AlBags]

OK ..
The TWO types are ..

Car stationary .. Machine moves along it and back.
Car moves on conveyor through machine.

[paddywak]

Like microg I get my car hand washed every week at £5.00 and once a month I have a mini-valet, washed, hoovered, dash polished, inside windows cleaned at £12.00 better then a machine wash and less chance of damage

[jg96]

My guess ignition off with steering lock on and wheels not quite centred so conveyor pushes car off to one side.

[dunwerkin]

Thank you all so much for your feedback. jg96 - I think your response could explain what happened. In the meantime my insurance company is dealing with it while I pay the £100.00 excess. The car wash company is 'checking the machinery' - so I think I know what that means. I haven't been back but I must check to see if they recommend switching the ignition off.