There is no question that keeping your car in good condition will extend your car’s life and help to preserve its value, but you may question the benefits of using an automatic car wash. You may also be wondering how effective an automatic car wash is at cleaning your car’s exterior. In this article Splash and Go Express Car Wash will go over these questions and so much more.  

Routine car maintenance, such as changing the oil, filters, rotating tires, and replacing brake pads, is critical for getting the most mileage out of your vehicle. Additionally, visiting an automatic car wash is key to caring for your vehicle as well. As a result of routine maintenance, cars last much longer than ever before. In reality, the average car age on our roads is now over twelve years old. Improper care of your vehicle will most definitely shorten its lifespan, making routine car maintenance more important than ever before. So, keep reading for all the answers to possible questions and concerns on taking your car to an express car wash. 

Automatic Car Washes FAQ’s

How frequently should I wash my car?

It is apparent when your car needs a good wash. You may see dust from the roads, flecks of mud, or even debris from mother nature in the form of bug splats and bird droppings. When you notice any of these things, it is time for a car wash. We recommend that you do not wait until your car is so dirty that you cannot tell its color. Build-up of dust and pollutants can cause damage. 

Ideally, a good car wash, at least twice a month, is best. Consider it as part of your routine car care rather than an afterthought. When the weather conditions are more harsh, such as during the winter when road salt is common, wash your vehicle as often as you can. Washing your car’s undercarriage is not required with every wash. However, washing the underbody helps to remove debris that might retain corrosive chemicals and plug drain holes.

Is it Safe to Use an Automatic Car Wash?

As with every product or service, all automatic car washes are not equal.  However, if you take your vehicle to an automatic car wash that is equipped with proper equipment, and wash solutions, your car is in good hands. Technology and car wash practices have come a long way since the beginning. Today, an automatic car wash is safer than ever with modern design and wash engineering. Not only is it safe to use an automatic express car wash, but it can actually protect your car from damage when you visit the car wash regularly.  

The primary purpose of washing your car is to remove dirt, debris, and pollutants that might harm your car. Pollutants can cause corrosion and paint damage if not treated. As a result, it is critical to remove pollutants from the exterior of your car. 

The reality is that dirt, dust, and debris can be abrasive and cause harm to your car’s finish. Road tar and mud can also retain moisture, which can cause corrosion. Additionally, corrosive chemicals and road salt can also cause rust. Finally, if not removed promptly, bug splats, bird droppings, and acid rain can eat away at your car’s finish. Washing your car regularly at a quality automatic car wash like Splash and Go can help keep your car’s exterior in top shape.  

automatic car wash safety

Do Automatic Car Washes Reuse Water?

It is true that automatic car wash tunnels are designed to reuse water, making them by far the most water-efficient and ecologically friendly wash option. However, reusing water does not imply that it runs to the bottom of the bay and then blasted onto the next car. Automatic car wash tunnels have specially designed tanks and equipment for collecting water and purifying it before reusing it.  

The reuse process employs two primary methods: Separation and Reverse Osmosis Separation. Separation is less rigorous, employing density filtration to remove chemical agents and heavy dirt and sand. The outcome is clean water with small amounts of cleaning products. 

In contrast, reverse osmosis takes water and pushes it through a special nanocarbon filter to remove hardness, particulates, and chemical contaminants. The filter pores are extremely small (smaller than sand grains), resulting in considerably cleaner water than the water in your home’s water hose. Reverse Osmosis water is utilized in the final rinse of your car wash, making the car wash more efficient and much safer than hand washing your car with your city’s water.

car wash reusing water

Will the Brushes in an Automatic Car Wash Damage my Paint?

Automatic car washes use special fabric created from tightly woven cotton or polyethylene microfibers in their brushes. These materials are designed so they are not able to pick up or hold onto grit or dirt. Furthermore, the brushes are constantly primed with clean water and soap, eliminating dirt and protecting your vehicle. Finally, the brushes move at a precise pressure and speed to eliminate human error and effort—as anybody who has damaged their car’s paint by cleaning with the incorrect cloth will confirm.

Are the Chemicals and Soaps at Automatic Car Washes Too Harsh?

Most automated vehicle wash products are manufactured by the same firms that manufacture products for home use, and they frequently use the same product name and formula.  When you hand wash your car at home, you have to guess the correct detergent to water ratio. The correct ratios are preset to clean your car and protect your clear coat at an automated wash. 

Can Car Wash Rollers Damage My Wheels?

At Splash and Go Car Wash, driving your vehicle into the wash is simple. Our staff will guide you into the bay for the proper positioning, so your car glides through easily. In addition, our wash is equipped with the highest quality equipment, allowing anyone to pull in for an exceptional wash without stress.   

car wash rollers

Car Wash Tunnel Recommendations

Before washing your vehicle at an automatic car wash, you should do some things to prep your vehicle. Follow the below simple steps for the best outcome.

  1. Make sure your license plate is secure.
  2. Be sure to empty the bed of your truck of all debris. 
  3. If you have a retractable antenna, lower it.
  4. Side mirrors should be pulled in for trucks and SUVs.
  5. Remove detachable racks.
  6. Roll up all windows and turn on child safety locks if you have children or furry friends in the vehicle.

When You Should Not Use an Automatic Car Wash

  1. If the window seals or door seals are damaged.
  2. Classic cars with original paint should not use an automatic car wash because antique paint is much thinner and softer than modern paint products.
  3. If your car has matte paint.
  4. If you have excessive mud on your vehicle (spray off chunks of mud before going through an automatic car wash).  
  5. Vehicles with loose components or large sections of rust.
automatic car wash tunnel

Final Notes on Using an Automatic Car Wash

As a car owner, you want to keep your vehicle in pristine condition. Visiting an automatic car wash can help you do just that. Even Tesla understands how important it is to regularly wash your car. Recently, Tesla released their new software update with a carwash mode. The setting allows drivers to automatically close all windows, lock the charge port, and disable windshield wipers, sentry mode, walk-away door locks and parking sensor chimes. 

So, now that you know not only visiting a car wash is safe for your vehicle, but it actually saves more water than washing your car by hand along with improving your car’s longevity, what are you waiting for? Visit Splash and Go Car Wash today, Lee’s Summit’s favorite automatic car wash