Car-wash and Transmission

[jmdad]

Hello All

The other day, I took my CX9 FWD to a pull-along car wash (Driver side wheels on the roller, and the passenger side wheels on the ground). While in the wash, instead of being in Neutral gear, my car was in Reverse, with engine shut off. I realised this about 30 seconds later, and then I shifted the gear to Neutral. Would this have caused any damage to transmission ?

Since then,I see a slight RPM surge while downshifting and some delayed response/lack of torque when accelerating. This is bothering me abit.

Any thoughts appreciated.

regards
jmdad

 

[table5511]

If you were moving forward slowly on pavement and shifted into reverse while still moving forward, that could damage it, but in the situation you describe and you were stationary (I assume), had it in reverse, shut the engine off, and the left side track began pulling the left side of the vehicle forward while the right side of the vehicle remained planted...I could not image any detrimental damage being sustained by the trans. Afterall, the right and left half shafts are split, independent @ the torque converter, so my thoughts are the trans is fine. If you are still in your 6 year 60k mile powertrain warranty, bring it in and say your trans is not acting right. I have to take my company car through the carwash once a week, and I have noticed that automatic carwashes wreak havoc on brake pads and rotors...I guess due to wax or chemicals or something. Anyhow, my brakes make all sorts of noises for days after going through a carwash, noises that can be mistaken for trans noises.

 

[jmdad]

Thanks for the response helbigtw. Appreciate it.
Your assumption is correct. My car was stationary, before I shifted to reverse. Then I shut the engine off, and the track started pulling the car forward. 30 seconds later, while the car was still moving on the roller, I shifted to neutral (when I realised the mistake).

Car is still under warranty, so if it continues to act up, I'll take it to the dealer.