At DriveSmart, we always strive to push our customers to take their vehicles for regular servicing to keep the vehicle running smooth.  That is why every DriveSmart Protection Plan comes with eighteen months of introductory maintenance.  However, we here at DriveSmart also find it extremely important to keep your vehicle clean, so you can prevent rust and maintain value for your vehicle.  

Going to a Drive Through Car Wash is quick and convenient but can also be a little nerve-wracking if you have never taken your vehicle through a full-service car wash before, which is a great option if you don’t have the time to do a hand-wash at home.  

The Two Different Types of Drive-Through Car Washes

There is a distinct difference between a touchless car wash and an automatic car wash.  An automated car wash is also known as a soft-touch car wash because the car wash will use brushes and clothes to touch the vehicle and wipe it down. 

The biggest benefit to a soft-touch car wash is that it has the ability to clean all the hidden spots but it can also dull the vehicle’s shine and cause some mild scratches to the vehicle due to the chemicals that are being wiped across the vehicle surface.  

A touchless car wash only uses water jets and never physically touches your vehicle with any brushes or clothes.  Only the washing products and water.  However, the major downside to a touchless car wash is that the system can’t reach hard-to-reach areas as easily as the soft-touch system.  

Finding and Paying for the Car Wash

If you need help finding the best car wash near you, you should use Google to do some research and find the top car wash places in your area.  Read some reviews about the car wash to get a better understanding of other people’s opinions!

You can also ask some friends or family that live in your local area for some recommendations on their go-to drive-through car wash in the area.  

Once you arrive at the car wash, many of them offer different wash packages which include just a basic wash all the way to more advanced packages that include waxing and tire detailing.  

Most modern car washes will have a payment station outside but some of the older car washes will still require you to go inside to pay a cashier for the car wash.  

It’s Car Wash Time!

Once you have paid for the service, it is time to go through the car wash.  Move your vehicle towards the car wash opening, and follow all the signs and directions for when you need to stop your vehicle.  

It is extremely important to turn off your windshield wipers if you have the automatic feature enabled on your vehicle to prevent any major damage.  You will also want to make sure that all of your doors and windows are properly closed and secured.  Some automated car washes will also instruct you to turn off your car’s engine before the process begins.  

Once you are inside the car wash, you will want to move your front tires to get in line with the car washes system.  The system will most likely guide your vehicle using lights and arrows to help move your car into the next required position.  After your car is properly positioned the car wash might signal you to put your car in neutral if it’s a manual vehicle or put it in park if it’s an automatic vehicle, but be sure to take your foot off of the brake at all times.  

Leaving the Drive-Through Car Wash

Once your vehicle has left the car wash, if you paid for a full-service cleaning there will probably be attendants outside that will dry your car using cloth.  

We hope these tips and tricks will help you on your first journey to a drive-through car wash so that you can keep your vehicle clean, fresh, and at its highest level of quality.