Chrysler/Jeep/Ram Neutral Lockout Transmissions

[CarBuff's]

Hello Fellow Carwashers:

Looking for some advice on how you are handling some of the newer Chrysler/Jeep/Ram vehicles that will not go into neutral without the engine running. We operate a full service tunnel that the customer exits their vehicle. We have been riding the vehicles through while they are running but, it is becoming very labor intensive. We have checked with our local dealer and they do not have a solution for us.

2012-2016 Chrysler 300's
2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee's
Some newer Ram pick ups with shift knob on dash

Has anyone discovered a way to process these cars? Thank you for any input!!
Clay

 

[Washmee]

Put the vehicle in park and shut off the engine. Without putting your foot on the brake turn the key to the Run position or if a pushbutton start press the button twice to get to the run position. You will now be able to place the transmission in neutral. Some of these vehicles have an auto parking brake function. That has to be shut off using the DIC. Check the owners manual for instructions.

 

[CarBuff's]

Jon, thank you for the input. I'll give it a try!!

Put the vehicle in park and shut off the engine. Without putting your foot on the brake turn the key to the Run position or if a pushbutton start press the button twice to get to the run position. You will now be able to place the transmission in neutral. Some of these vehicles have an auto parking brake function. That has to be shut off using the DIC. Check the owners manual for instructions.

 

[parsonii]

what's the harm in leaving the car in neutral and engine running and not having anyone in it? we do that and haven't had any issues. maybe it's fullserve 101 but help me understand your concern

 

[CarBuff's]

parsonii-

We do our best to follow the ICA "we care" driving procedures... after a few grand cherokees accidents and insurance companies getting very selective on full service carwashes, we don't really want to take the risk of anything jumping into gear.
We continue to struggle with Chrysler 300's, some 2014-2015 Grand Cherokee's and Chrysler/Ram vehicles with a turn knob type shifter, these vehicles will not go into neutral with the engine off. We are getting close to charging a additional fee on these vehicles to occupy them through the tunnel. Hope this helps?
Clay

what's the harm in leaving the car in neutral and engine running and not having anyone in it? we do that and haven't had any issues. maybe it's fullserve 101 but help me understand your concern

 

[Washmee]

parsonii-

We do our best to follow the ICA "we care" driving procedures... after a few grand cherokees accidents and insurance companies getting very selective on full service carwashes, we don't really want to take the risk of anything jumping into gear.
We continue to struggle with Chrysler 300's, some 2014-2015 Grand Cherokee's and Chrysler/Ram vehicles with a turn knob type shifter, these vehicles will not go into neutral with the engine off. We are getting close to charging a additional fee on these vehicles to occupy them through the tunnel. Hope this helps?
Clay

It looks like I was wrong about having a way to put those vehicles in neutral with the engine off. Most of the other makes work as I suggested but the Chrysler products don't.

 

[Washmee]

I have to believe that there is a way to get these vehicles into neutral without the engine running. In order to service them in a scenario where the engine would not run it might be necessary to roll the vehicle.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Since they need to be running to put them in Neutral, what happens if you put them in neutral and then try to shut off the engine?

 

[Earl Weiss]

BTW had a plaintiff attorney try to use the ICA procedures against us in a lawsuit.

 

[CarBuff's]

Since they need to be running to put them in Neutral, what happens if you put them in neutral and then try to shut off the engine?

Hi Earl, the push button ignition won't allow you to turn the vehicle off in neutral.

 

[CarBuff's]

BTW had a plaintiff attorney try to use the ICA procedures against us in a lawsuit.

Could you share with us? From using the procedures or for not using them?

 

[Earl Weiss]

Could you share with us? From using the procedures or for not using them?

I have an EE. Customer stays in car. Need to make a left turn inside building to exit. (Double lane inside building with side by side doors for exit) Coca Cola driver was bringing cases of pop to rear stock room which, using the path he chose (As Opposed to going around back which would be difficult with a tractor trailer, ) required him to cross in front of the exit end of the conveyor. (Although he could have walked inside the arc of the turn which would have made it impossible for a car to strike him while turning. )
Theory of liability was that we did not provide the driver with a safe way to access the store room.

For unknown reason, although delivery driver was well outside the normal path of travel as he crossed in line with the exit end of the conveyor, the driver went straight instead of turning and seemed to accelerate pinning him between the bumper and wall. He was severely injured. driver was about 80 years old.

At my deposition (A couple of years after the occurrence) Plaintiff's lawyers asked me if I new about and followed was following the ICA procedures at the time of the accident. I think they were laid out in an article by a Mike Benmosch (Sorry if I messed up the name - Phonetic Spelling from memory. ) I basically told them we did not follow those procedure for 2 reasons.

1. We were Exterior only and the procedures were for washes that had employees operating customer vehicles which we did not do; and
2. The article / procedures were published after the occurrence.

The lawyer also asked if we tested driving abilities of older customers. Also wanted to know why someone could not stop the "Tow Line" to prevent the occurrence.

 

[CarBuff's]

Sorry to hear that �� Hopefully your insurance company went after the driver of the car! Who would ever think that we need to guide your delivery driver!!?? You are completely right, the "we care" program was developed for a FS, Express Lube... where employees are driving vehicles.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Sorry to hear that �� Hopefully your insurance company went after the driver of the car! .......

That was a moot point since it was clear her policy limits were exhausted. Plaintiff sued her as well. Her company tendered the policy limits so Plaintiff needed another pocket to go after.

 

[Con316]

We just leave them running and in neutral the same way we do most cars. We average 600 full service washes a day and haven't had an issue doing this.

 

[CarBuff's]

We just leave them running and in neutral the same way we do most cars. We average 600 full service washes a day and haven't had an issue doing this.

Thank you for the response! Glad to hear no problems jumping into gear!!