A gas station car wash is a convenient way to clean your vehicle. You’re already stopped for fuel, so why not take care of another automotive chore while you’re at it? Regularly cleaning a car is key to keeping your vehicle’s appearance nice and protecting the exterior, and it could also help you get a better price for it if you sell it. Even a basic wash will remove paint eaters like road salt and dirt. Assuming you opt for the wax cycle, you’ll also help protect the clear coat from sun damage.
But is the gas station the place to do this? Here, we talk about the pros and cons of using an automatic car wash.
Should I Use a Gas Station Car Wash?
- What Distinguishes a Gas Station Car Wash From Standalone Washes?
- The Pros and Cons of Getting a Car Wash at a Gas Station
- The Typical Cost of a Gas Station Car Wash
- Tips for Finding the Best Gas Station Car Wash
- Keeping Your Car Clean Between Washes
What Distinguishes a Gas Station Car Wash From Standalone Washes?
Usually, the facility attached to – or in the same lot as – the gas station is a self-service car wash, with no attendant standing by to spray down the car prior to the wash. You simply drive into the designated lane, select the service you want via a kiosk, insert a credit card, and do what the signage says.
Most gas station car washes have limited services, all of which are done by automated equipment. You can select an express wash or something a little more involved but you won’t typically receive the amenities of a full-service car wash, such as free vacuum use and available drying rags.
Dedicated car wash locations, on the other hand, usually have someone waiting at the entrance of the wash to hose down your car’s exterior and give any particularly stubborn grime a quick, high-pressure rinse. The equipment is usually kept clean and in good repair, and many places have complimentary vacuum stations, where owners can park before or after going through the wash to clean their car’s interior. Some standalone washes also provide customers with microfiber towels and detailer spray. Obviously you pay a slight premium for this kind of service, although many of these places offer loyalty programs, car wash clubs, and gift cards to win your business.
The Pros and Cons of Getting a Car Wash at a Gas Station
As with most things in life, there are pros and cons to using a gas station car wash.
Pros:
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Convenience: This is perhaps the biggest advantage of using a gas station car wash. Many people do not have the option, or the time, to hand wash a car. Taking a quick pass through the nearby gas station car wash after filling up is the easiest way to get a clean car.
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Professional equipment: Gas station car washes are equipped with large rotating brushes, high-pressure washers, underbody sprayers, and industrial drying systems that are designed to efficiently clean your vehicle.
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Water conservation and environmental impact: A car wash system is often a greener option than hand-washing your car in the driveway. That’s because many modern automated car washes have on-site water recycling and filtration systems that prevent the run-off from going into groundwater or storm drains. They’re also likely to use less water overall and employ detergents that are formulated to be eco-friendly.
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Value: If you are looking for a quick and affordable solution for routine cleanings, it’s hard to beat the gas station, where a basic wash typically costs between $8 and $12. The bill may go up to $20 or $25 if you opt for extras. A full-service wash, meanwhile, often starts at $20, and professional detailers charge multiples of that.
Cons:
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Incomplete cleaning: Gas station car washes can do a decent job cleaning a car’s exterior, but they may fail to fully remove caked-on mud, bird droppings, or tree sap. The blow dryers, too, tend to miss areas like the side mirrors or rear glass, leaving water marks.
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Potential for exterior damage: While you can find touchless car washes, wherein only fluids and blown air hit the vehicle’s exterior, most gas station car washes use brushes and rollers to wipe away grime. These can cause scratches or swirl marks on your vehicle’s paint, especially if the brushes are not cleaned or replaced regularly.
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Inconsistent quality: The effectiveness of a gas station car wash can vary depending on several factors, including the age of the equipment, the facility’s maintenance practices, the water pressure settings, and more. If the rollers look dirty or the equipment seems outdated, it’s best to go elsewhere.
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Limited customization: In addition to the basic wash, lots of places offer extra-cost add-ons like triple-action foam, an undercarriage wash, a clear coat protectant, and a wheel and tire shine, but that’s about it. You can’t opt for an interior cleaning or a clay bar treatment to remove sticky substances like tree sap. If your vehicle needs special attention, the gas station car wash is not the place for it.
The Typical Cost of a Gas Station Car Wash
As noted above, a car wash price — consisting of a quick rinse, a soap treatment, a spot-free rinse, and a blow-dry — should run between $8 and $12.
Car washes in urban or high-traffic areas tend to be priced higher than those in suburban or rural locations due to demand and increased operating costs (e.g. higher real estate prices and utility rates), but it’s usually not a significant difference. And while a professional detailer takes the size of the vehicle into consideration when determining the price, all cars cost the same at an automated car wash.
The primary factor affecting the wash cost is the number of add-ons you select. These may include a presoak foam, spray-on wax, undercarriage cleaning, wheel brightening, and tire shine.
Tips for Finding the Best Gas Station Car Wash
If your car is new, not too dirty, or painted a color that shows scratches easily, stick with a touchless car wash. It eliminates the risk of a brush or roller damaging the exterior of your car, which can happen if these components are worn or embedded with dirt. This option may require washing the vehicle more frequently, but it’s cheaper and less inconvenient than repairing the paint.
Also, it’s a good idea to read customer reviews of any automated car wash before trying it out. Search Google and toggle over to the reviews or look at what people are saying on Yelp. Others can let you know if the facility is high quality or not.
If you frequently get your car washed, consider finding a location that offers a loyalty program or an all-you-can-wash monthly subscription for a fixed fee. Generally, gas stations do not offer such things – but dedicated automatic car wash locations do. Before signing up, be sure to check if the contract requires a minimum number of months.
Keeping Your Car Clean Between Washes
Here are a few tips to maximize the amount of time you can go between washes:
Keep a microfiber cloth handy for wiping down dust, dirt, or bird droppings from your car’s exterior as they appear. This will help you avoid buildup, which will be harder to remove later. Make sure to use light pressure when wiping up grime, as you don’t want to rub any abrasive particles into the paint.
Whenever possible, park your car in a covered garage, as it will minimize sun damage. Be careful about parking under trees, especially during the spring and summer, as sap or bird droppings can easily damage a vehicle’s paint.
Regularly clean the interior, so the car won’t feel dirty to you. Keep a microfiber cloth available for wiping down areas that accumulate dust, and eliminate clutter by removing unnecessary items from the car. Use a portable vacuum or one of the free car-wash vacs to suck up crumbs if you eat while on the go.
Hand-apply wax every few months after a thorough wash. Some automated car washes offer a spray wax option that can help keep the exterior shiny, but beware: The wax will also be sprayed on the glass of the vehicle and may streak when you turn on the wipers.
