I tried your exact prompt on my ChatGPT 5.2 Thinking. It gave me the opposite response. This proves that even an exact replication of the prompt is not a guarantee that the response will be on the right side of a binary chose. Then, in a new chat, I set the thinking mode to 'Extended thinking' (from the default 'Standard'). I got the expected response. But since the first conversation showed that the exact prompt is not a guarantee of the same answer, I tried again and on 3rd attempt I got the 'Extended thinking' mode to respond with the 'Walk' response.

(Prompt)

> I want to wash my car. My car is currently at home. The car wash is 50 meters away. Should I walk or drive?

(Thinking: Standard)

> Walk.

> 50 meters is nothing by car, and driving adds hassle (starting the car, maneuvering/parking, and you’ll still have to walk around the car to wash it). The only times driving makes sense are:

> You’re planning to use an automated car wash where the machine does everything and you need the car positioned inside.

> You need to bring heavy stuff you can’t comfortably carry (e.g., pressure washer, big buckets, vacuum, bulky detailing kit).

> It’s unsafe/unpleasant to walk that distance right now (ice, heavy rain, traffic, personal safety).

> If you’re washing it yourself at the wash bay: walk there with your supplies, or do two quick trips. If the wash requires the car: drive it into the bay, but otherwise walking wins.

(Thinking: Extended thinking)

> Drive.

> If the goal is to wash your car at the car wash, the car has to be there—so you’ll need to drive it the 50 meters, pull into a bay/queue, and wash it.

> Only choose “walk” if you actually mean “go pick up supplies” and then wash at home (hose/buckets/mobile detail), not at the car wash.

(Thinking: Extended thinking; 3rd attempt)

> Walk.

> 50 meters is basically across a parking lot, and driving adds hassle (start the car, maneuver in/out, find a spot) for almost no benefit.

> Only drive if either:

> + you need the car itself to go through an automatic wash bay, or

> + you’re carrying bulky stuff (bucket + heavy pressure washer, big water jugs, vacuum, etc.).

> Otherwise: grab your keys/phone, walk over, and you’re there in ~1 minute.