Washing your car is not only for the looks- it’s also a critical part of your vehicle’s maintenance. When it’s that time again to head to the car wash, you may have several questions about where to go and what kind of wash is best for your car. However, there are several car wash industry myths that can leave your car looking lackluster. Here are seven common misconceptions about car washes and the real facts behind them.

When it rains, that’s good enough to use as a car wash

Rain water is not clean water. On the surface, rain does seem to remove mud and dirt- but it can leave your vehicle covered in rain spots. However, it cannot remove stuck on bugs, grime, or other substances picked up from the road. Rain water can also be acidic, especially in cities or high-traffic areas. Acid rain can cause damage to your car’s paint over time. If it rains, you should head to your nearest car wash as soon as possible.

I can’t clean an electric car in an automatic car wash

Logically, when you think of electricity and water, you think danger. In reality, washing an electric car in an automatic car wash is completely safe. It will not damage the electric system, batteries or motor. Electric cars are put through rigorous testing before being put on the market, including testing their ability to withstand water. If you have an electric vehicle, there’s no preparation you need in order to take it through an automatic car was- just treat it like any other vehicle.

Express car washes can cause scratches and damage

Our modern technology provides a gentle touch to all vehicles that enter the tunnel. At Caliber, we use gentler, softer equipment, to give you the best experience possible and make sure your car is protected. In fact, there’s actually a chance you could scratch a vehicle on your own if you hand wash incorrectly. Interested in learning more? Check out our tunnel video series.

Your wash packages are all the same- so it doesn’t matter which one I choose

All of our wash packages at Caliber are good choices but they are not all the same! Our Classic Wash is convenient if you need a basic clean. It includes a wash and dry and you’ll be out in a matter of minutes. If you want to upgrade, our Custom Wash includes underbody wash and wheel cleaning. Our top Caliber Wash includes it all- and more. With the top wash, you get Caliber wax and tire shine on top of everything else included with the other washes. Don’t forget, our Caliber wash also includes our Caliber Ceramic Coating for extra protection.

Automatic car washes are bad for the environment

Our automatic wash actually uses less water than washing a car at home or in a self-service car wash. All of the water used in our washes is filtered, cleaned, and reused. On average, we are able to use 30 gallons of water per wash, while other types of hand washes use around 140 gallons per wash. Pressurized systems require far less water than the low pressure water hoses used at home. All of our cleaning chemicals are also completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Being eco-friendly is a top priority at Caliber. In fact, last year, our customers saved around 14 million gallons of water!

I don’t need to wash my car that often

Washing your car might not be at the top of your to-do list- but it’s far more crucial to your car’s overall health than you might realize. Your ride is a huge investment and taking care of it protects its resale value and keeps it running its best. Regularly washing your car is an easy way to protect your investment. When dirt, debris, and grime build up over long periods of time, it can cause paint corrosion and other issues. How often should you wash your car? It depends on a few different factors including where you live, what time of the year it is, and how often you drive. A good rule of thumb is every week or every other week.

My car is shiny, so that means it’s clean

Just because your car looks shiny doesn’t mean it’s actually clean. The best inspection you can do to test vehicle cleanliness is by touching it. If you run your fingers across the surface of your car, you might be surprised by how much dirt is on the surface. Looks can be deceiving, and even if your car’s exterior is gleaming, it could still need a washing.

Whether you’re a car cleaning newbie or a seasoned pro, don’t fall prey to these common car wash misconceptions! If you have further questions about automatic car washes, don’t hesitate to contact your local Caliber and ask for a manager- they can help!

No matter what part of the country you live in, winter weather can wreak havoc on your car. Even if temperatures don’t hit freezing, it’s important to make sure your car is protected during the cold winter months. Taking the right precautions could save you from hefty bills or accidents in the future. These tips will keep your car rolling smoothly and looking good through the cold.

1. Wash Your Car Regularly

Winter weather can be tough on our car. Road salt, dirt, and water can leave unwanted marks. Salt and debris can stick to your car during chilly temperatures, leaving impurities and harmful deposits behind. This is why it’s important to get into the habit of washing your car regularly during colder months. Prevention is better than a cure, and if you regularly wash your car while it’s cold, you are preventing any future paint damage or other issues with the exterior. Also, consider maintaining your ceramic coating to prevent irritants from seeping into your paint job.

2. Keep Your Car Protected

When the weather turns cold, it’s time to add an extra layer of protection between your car and unwanted debris. Caliber Car Wash has a free “Caliber Ceramic Coating” technology that can extend your car’s paint job by making it more resistant to harmful elements. In the winter, that can mean ice, salt, road buildup, and more. Left untreated, winter grime can lead to rust or corrosion in areas that are difficult to spot.

3. Remember Your Interior

It can be easy to forget the inside of your vehicle, especially when the temperatures drop to freezing. However, it’s equally as important to pay attention to the inside of your car! Excess dirt and water can get trapped inside and cause issues with stubborn stains or even mold. Consider trying express mat cleaners, available for free at Caliber, that can keep your mats looking fresh in just a few seconds. Caliber also offers free vacuums and detailing air with all wash packages to help you get debris out of hard-to-reach places.

4. Keep Up with Regularly Scheduled Maintenance

This is one of the most basic, yet most important, aspects of keeping your car protected during cold weather. Skipping your routine oil change and check-up could mean an expensive bill down the road. You’ve most likely already invested thousands of dollars into your vehicle, so it’s important to maintain it properly. Routine checks extend the life of your vehicle and reduce repair costs in the future. This will also keep your car in top condition and increase safety during the winter months.

5. Check Your Battery

Avoid the dreaded feeling of a dead car battery by being proactive. A fully charged battery in good condition is a must during the winter months. The cold can put more stress on your battery, especially if you park outside or leave your car outside for long periods of time. Head to a local repair shop and test out your battery and make sure it’s in good shape. You never want to worry about being stranded on a frozen road with a car that won’t start.

6. Create a Survival Kit

Emergencies can happen to anyone. The important thing is that you are prepared with a car “survival kit” that will make sure you have anything you need if an emergency happens. The things you can add to your survival kit include blankets, a flashlight, batteries, an ice scraper, bottled water, snacks, a first-aid kit, and road flares.

7. Test Your Lights and Windshield Wipers

When temperatures drop, that means there is less daylight- especially on your commute home. This means you want to do everything you can to make sure your lights are working correctly. If a bulb is out or foggy, consider getting it replaced. Windshield wipers are also extremely important in chilly temperatures. Snow, rain, and fog can decrease visibility tremendously, so it’s essential to test them before heading out on the road.

8. Make sure your tires are in good condition

If you live in an area that gets snow or ice during the winter, it might be time to consider winter tires. Winter tires can provide improved traction, keeping you from spinning out in snow or ice. If you want to keep your regular tires year-round, it’s crucial to stay on top of your tire pressure. Tire pressure can drop with the temperature. This is because the air inside the tire condenses when it’s cold, taking up less space. Driving around with low tire pressure could cause premature wear, increased stopping time, and poor fuel economy.  

If you need any tips or tricks on how to keep your car clean during the winter, feel free to stop by one of our locations and our Caliber staff will explain which wash is best for your vehicle and answer any questions you have on our detailing tools. 

Keeping your car looking and feeling new is the number one way to preserve the value and length of its lifespan. Without washing and waxing your car, the paint will corrode quickly; and the older your vehicle is, the quicker the corrosion. Sun, rain, and almost every other weather condition can be harmful to your car’s paint. The best way to prevent this from happening is to wash and wax your vehicle regularly.

Ultimately, any hard object (including hard, old brushes) that creates friction with your car will contribute to future damage. However, any potential damage from a well-run car wash is far less significant than not washing it at all (that’s why it is important to visit the right type of wash). Depending on your location, dirt, acid rain, sap, salt, mud, or other contaminants will bind with the metal under the paint causing your paint to slowly fade until finally rusting away. Shortly put, washing your car avoids more damage than the alternative.

The key to preventing environmental damage is washing your car at least twice a month and even more if you live in an area with dirt roads, salty air, or somewhere they use salt on the highways.

Can Automatic Car Washes Damage My Car?

The type of car wash that you go to plays a large role in your vehicle’s longevity. For example, washes that have bristle brushes and hard water can potentially leave your car with scratches and water stains. Contrarily, a wash that uses cloth brushes and soft water (also known as distilled water) is more likely to leave your car with a flawless shine.

Features inside the tunnel of a car wash can vary greatly. Although you may pay a little more, the added benefits will prolong the life of your vehicle’s paint. Those features may include wax, ceramic coating, rain guard or paint protectant. These features are meant to create a coating over all the surfaces of your car’s exterior that is water resistant and protects against minor scratches and environmental contaminants. Meanwhile, the ceramic coating will bind with your car’s paint and creates a bond that increases its durability.

In cases of automatic car washes, you get what you pay for and the few extra dollars will go a long way in preserving your car’s exterior and keeping vents clean. That’s one reason why we specialize in soft water and brushes, with a side of extra protectant coating. For more information, stop by today.