How to Drive Through a Touchless Automatic the Correct Way

Lots of people always tend to get confused when they go to touchless automatics. Whether they get confused by how to pay, when to drive forward, or how to get onto the sensor that detects that their car is there, there is confusion. These step by step instructions will help anyone to know how to get their car clean in a touchless automatic with ever having to be confused again.

For this Instructable you will need to have a carwash near you, a vehicle, and money or another type of payment that is accepted at the car wash you are going to.

Side Note: I have gone to my local car wash called, "The Bubble Bath Car & Cart Wash." All photos are from this location, and instructions are based on the specifics of this carwash.

When you arrive at the car wash the first thing you will need to do is pull up the pay station. If someone is already there be patient, and wait for them to finish paying and proceed into the wash. As you are waiting make sure you are out of the way of any other cars. For example, you wouldn't want to be blocking an exit. Also, some car washes even have a spot for you to wait if there becomes a line for their wash. Pay attention to any signs that could tell you where you need to wait.

The first question you will be asked when you pull up to the pay station is to just touch the screen where it feels comfortable. This will help you to be able to use the pay station easier based off the height of your car.

After you choose your height, you will be asked to select a choice from the menu. What this means, is that a list of a few options are given to you like to purchase a membership, purchase a wash, etc. Because this Instructable is about how to purchase a car wash, in this step you would select Purchase Wash.

Now you must choose what kind of a wash. Most touchless automatics have a variety of options depending on where you go, meaning a different amount of money for those washes based on what comes with that wash. For example, at the car wash, I am using for this instructable, The Bubble Bath Car & Cart Wash, you can expect to find a seven dollar "Express Wash", a nine dollar "Deluxe Wash", and a twelve dollar "Ultimate Wash". Select your wash and continue onto the next step.

Next, you are asked if you would like additional services. The two options given to you are if you would like to upgrade to membership or buy a wash book. If you don't want either of these services just tap No Thanks to continuing with purchasing your carwash.

Now it is time to pay. Select one of the five payment options given on the screen. After you have done this, further instructions on how to make the payment are given. For example, if you choose to pay in cash you are instructed to insert the cash into the cash acceptor. After this, you can select to get a receipt or not. If you choose no, you may proceed into the wash. If you say yes, put in your phone number to receive a digital receipt, then proceed into the wash.

After you complete all of the steps at the pay station you now can proceed into the wash. As you enter the wash look for the sensor toward the front left of the wash, this is what your front left tire will rest on during the wash. It is hard to get onto the sensor sometimes, but here is how you do it. When trying to get onto the sensor be slow and careful, you can take your time. Do small gestures with your gas and brake pedals. Once you get onto the sensor put your car in park. There will be a sign that will let you know if you have parked on the sensor correctly.

As your car is getting washed you can sit and watch or just play on your phone. If you choose to watch you can keep an eye out for a sign that will indicate what part of the wash is happening, like tri foam or presoak. Although, if you choose to not watch make sure you are still paying attention so you know when it is done.

Depending on the car wash you go to or the wash you get they may or may not have blowers. If there are not blowers proceed out of the wash. If there are blowers move forward slowly making sure that your full car gets the majority of the water off of it. During this step don't expect to just sit and let the blowers do all of the work. You have to move your car forward and out of the wash slowly to make sure you get your whole car blown off. Also, don't worry about trying to keep track of how much time you have left, if you look straight ahead a timer will tell you exactly how much longer you have.

You are now done with the car wash. If you want after you get your car washed, there might also be a vending machine full of car care products, vacuums, and much more at the same location. After this, you can now drive home in your clean car! Don't forget, you should always leave your review because it is always greatly appreciated, especially when it is good.