Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Automatic Car Wash

In today’s world, automatic car wash systems around the world have transformed the entire car wash experience, bringing peace and satisfaction to car owners. With the number of options available, several factors to be considered even among the options available for automated car washes, and through this blog, we will try to make your choice easier.

Understanding Automatic Car Wash Options

When it comes to selecting the perfect automatic car wash system in Saudi Arabia or other countries, let us first understand what choices are available. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, the type of service and the thoroughness of service you require, automatic car washes offer a number of permutations and combinations. They can be broadly categorized as:

1. Stationary or In-bay Automatic: In this type of car wash system, the car owner drives his/her car into a bay area, where all the car washing functions are performed while the car is stationary.
2. Mobile or Tunnel Automatic: In the tunnel automatic system, the car moves through a tunnel on a conveyer belt, with each step of the car wash functions is performed as the car moves forward.

Automatic car washes can be either partially or fully automated.

1. Partially-automated – This type of car wash system combines both manual washing and automated washing. Professional cleaners are involved in some of the cleaning functions.
2. Fully-automated – This type of high tech car wash system is completely automated with no human intervention.

Automatic car washes can also be categorized into touchless, friction, or hybrid.

1. Touchless: In a touchless car wash machine system, equipment such as brushes or cloth do not come in contact with the car; only high pressure car washers and cleaning agents are used to wash and rinse the vehicle.
2. Friction: In this type of car wash, the car comes in contact with brushes and cloths to clean or rinse the vehicle.
3. Hybrid: Both touchless and friction components are used to clean the car.

Assessing Your Needs: Factors to Consider

As mentioned earlier, as a car owner, you need to consider certain factors while selecting the ideal car wash. Remember that your car washing budget as well as the wash requirements of your car will affect your choice. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself:

1. Partial or Full Service: Do you need a complete wash of both the exterior and interior of your car, or just the exterior? Based on your needs, you need to find a car wash that offers both variations.
2. Cleaning Agents required: Does your car have custom paintwork or come with precise care instructions? If yes, then you need to ensure that the car wash you select uses the right kind of high quality cleaning agents in the proper ratio, which will help protect your car’s surface from damage.
3. Type of cleaning technology: Does your preferred car wash provide a completely touchless experience or does it use a hybrid mechanism? Do they use the latest automatic car wash equipment, purchased from top car wash manufacturers?
4. Pricing: Is the car wash service affordable and does it fit into your budget?
5. Value-added Services: Do they offer value added services such as lube changes, tire cleaning, waxing, sealing, or polishing? Do they have a waiting area and/or a vending machine for refreshments?

Types of Automatic Car Washes: Pros and Cons

In-bay Automatic: These low price automatic car wash systems offer quick, thorough and inexpensive services. They also require less space, allowing car wash owners to find lucrative locations close to high-traffic areas. On the flip side, they do not generally have technologically advanced cleaning equipment and are rarely touchless, which may not be suitable for all car types. Moreover, because of the limited space, they may not be able to handle a larger volume of customers.

Tunnel Automatic: Tunnel car washes offer similar speed and quality of service compared to in-bay ones. Where they score significantly over the latter is in customer volume. This is because the cars keep moving along a conveyer belt from one cleaning equipment to the next, which means that multiple cars can be serviced along the service line. On the flip side, they tend to be more expensive than in-bay car washes. They also require more space so getting an ideal location could be difficult.

Touchless: This has a technologically advanced touchless car wash machine that offers a deeper cleaning experience and renders less damage to car bodies due to lack of contact with abrasive surfaces such as brushes. On the other hand they tend to be more expensive as the equipment and cleaning agents have to be of higher quality.

Full-service: They provide more extensive cleaning services as they offer both external and internal cleansing. Customers will get the full benefit of all-in-one cleaning services at one location. On the other hand, they are much more expensive than other types of car washes and tend to take more time to finish.

Technology and Features: What to Look For

Modern high intelligent automatic car wash systems feature the latest in car wash technology, offering safe, thorough, efficient and consistent washes. They boast a completely automated mechanism incorporating 3D sensors that identify the size and shape of the car, high pressure car washers that spray water jets at precise angles, cleaning even hard-to-reach areas, an automatic liquid ratio system that dispenses cleaning agents in the required levels of dilution, rotating brushes that apply just the right pressure to clean the car without scratching the paint, and blowers that dry the car for a spotless, shining finish. Ensure that the cleaning agents used are of high quality and the brushes used by the machine wash system are suitable for your car type and paintwork.

Cost Analysis: Pricing Structures and Value for Money

Depending on the location of the car wash and the specifics of your requirements, pricing structures for automatic car washes will vary. The thoroughness and care your car needs, the type of service you choose, and the quality of the automatic car wash equipment will dictate the price that you pay for your service. Moreover, additional services may incur extra costs or could be provided as value additions. Check if your local automatic car wash offers different car wash packages, monthly/annual memberships, discounts, free or discounted services, etc. Ultimately, you need to calculate the costs involved and decide for yourself if you are getting value for your money.

Environmental Considerations: Eco-Friendly Options

Compared to manual car washing, automatic car washes are an environment lover’s dream. They use high-speed jets that use very little water. Moreover, they are equipped with high-tech water recycling and treatment equipment that reduce water wastage and groundwater pollution.

Making Your Decision: Final Considerations

Automation across industries helps provide better service and improves quality of life. Having an automatic car wash near you makes one less thing to worry about. Given the range of options in automatic low price car wash systems, do your research carefully while selecting the best car wash for your precious vehicle. Check online reviews to understand the quality and consistency of service and don’t be shy about checking for additional services.

About SAB TECH

SAB TECH is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality and high intelligent automatic car wash systems. The company’s leadership and innovation in car wash technology, with primary focus on the environment makes it a force to reckon with in the industry. As a top distributor of the automatic car wash system in Saudi Arabia, SAB TECH is also known for the quality of its after-sales service and of its precision-engineered spare parts.