A routine trip through an automated car wash turned into a near-collision for one Ford Puma driver, after footage circulating on social media showed the driver braking mid-cycle as rotating brushes moved across the vehicle.
Why Braking Mid-Cycle Is a Problem
Automated car washes rely on a conveyor system paired with sensors that assume the vehicle stays in neutral throughout the cycle. Any deviation, including braking, shifting gears, or touching the accelerator, can disrupt the system’s timing and create a hazard for vehicles ahead or behind. In this case, the vehicle behind the Puma nearly made contact with it after the Puma came to an unexpected stop.
[BlackVue DR-970X] Don’t brake on a carwash conveyor
byu/jantograaf_v2 inDashcam
How the Situation Was Resolved
An attendant quickly triggered the wash’s emergency shutoff to stop the equipment, a response that likely prevented further contact between the vehicles. No injuries were reported, and the video does not show what happened after the equipment was halted.
A Common but Costly Mistake
Automated car wash malfunctions caused by driver error are a recurring issue, occasionally resulting in chain-reaction collisions between multiple vehicles moving through the same wash cycle, sometimes leading to costly repair claims. Staying in neutral and avoiding any input to the vehicle’s controls during the cycle remains the standard guidance for avoiding these incidents.
Automakers Are Working on a Fix
Ford has reportedly developed a patented system designed to automatically prepare vehicles for automated car washes, including folding side mirrors, disabling windshield wipers, and locking the transmission in neutral for the duration of the cycle. Until such systems become widespread, car wash operators continue to advise drivers to remain still and follow posted instructions throughout the automated cycle.