Even though an estimated 100,000 professional car washes exist in North America, the fact is that most vehicles aren't kept as clean as they need to be, which results in the loss of billions of consumer dollars. More than $24 billion a year is spent battling automobile corrosion damage, a cost absorbed by consumers in three ways: Funding auto manufacturer efforts to research corrosion-resistant paints and coatings, fixing damage caused by road or sea salt, or corrosion-related depreciation of cars.*

Research shows that 52% of American car owners wash their cars less than once a month - and 15% never wash their cars. (Can you imagine the 15% driving down Interstate-80 at night?) An estimated 37 million cars even smell because of interior garbage, according to a consumer survey conducted by the International Carwash Association (ICA).

Drivers should take better care of their cars by washing them professionally for numerous reasons:

• You'll protect your investment.
• A vehicle is the second largest investment most people ever make!
• Professional car washes are more environmentally friendly than driveway washing.
• Professional car washes use a fraction of the water than driveway washing, conserving water!!
• You’ll gain emotional satisfaction and pride in your vehicle.
 

Commonly Asked Car Care Questions (Source: carlove.org)

Isn't rain a natural, cost-effective car wash? No. Rain and snow contain dirt and pollutants from the air (acid rain) that can eat your car's finish. After acid rain falls on your vehicle, the water evaporates, leaving a film of acid. Concentrated by sunlight, this acid can become so strong that it will "eat" through your car's finish, ruining the paint and appearance.

If my car has a high gloss clear coat finish, do I still need to wax it? Yes. Most new cars have a clear coat finish, however this can be easily damaged by acid rain. Even with minimal time outdoors, any clear coat finish will begin to deteriorate after two years. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, salt, sand and road grime also damage cars. Wax is an effective and efficient way to shine and protect your car's finish. It is recommended that a car receive a professional hand wax once or twice a year, along with professional car wash at least once or twice a month.

Isn't a washing my car in my driveway better for my car and safer for the environment? No. Dirt that collects in wash water, sponges and chamois will scratch your car's finish. The technology used today at professional car washes will not scratch or create "swirl" marks on your car. Not only is a professional car wash safer for your car, many of them only a fraction of water over that of driveway washing, (drive way washing can use upwards of 80 to 100 gallons per car washed) and use biodegradable cleaning solutions to further protect the environment. Also, dirty water used by professional car washes is disposed of properly. Water from driveway washes end up in storm drains, which can pollute lakes, rivers and streams.

What if I don't have the time or money to wash and wax my car regularly? To maintain the value of your vehicle, you can't afford not to professionally keep your car's appearance looking its best. If you compare a professional car wash to a driveway wash - factoring in cleaners, waxes and water use - you will find that a professional car wash is not significantly more expensive than washing it yourself. Furthermore, most professional car washes take less than half the time of the typical driveway wash.

Is my car likely to be damaged by using a professional car wash? No. Professional car washes utilize an effective mix of soft cloths and/or water pressure to clean cars without damaging them. A tiny fraction of all cars professionally washed incur damage each year, which may stem from defects in manufacturing design or construction.

California Carwash Forecast (Source: carlove.org)

Located on the Pacific coast, California offers moderate to high risk for vehicle corrosion from three sources: airborne sea salt, road de-icing materials, and industry fallout.

Road and marine salts are estimated to cause more than $14 billion in damage each year to American automobiles. California can receive more 240 inches of snow in areas - and where there's snow, there's road salt. Furthermore, cars exposed to the nearby marine environment can suffer damage caused by sea salt.

Additionally, environmental groups such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the auto industry alike concede that acid rain, a serious problem in urban and industrial areas within the United States, also causes damage to automotive coatings. When the moisture evaporates, the acid remains - often forming a blemish that looks like a splattered raindrop. Acid rain eats through a car's finish, permanently etching it. Rainfall in California can be minimal in some regions, and excessive - more than 150 inches - in others, so it's important to wash a car soon after precipitation occurs. Once damage is done, the only solution is to repaint. Effects are most noticeable on vehicles with dark or metallic finishes.

If you park your car outside, drive long distances, or live in a heavily wooded area, you should also wash your car more frequently to avoid other damaging elements such as dirt, tree sap and even bird droppings (which you may be surprised to learn is very acidic and if not removed, will permanently stain your car's finish).

Car Wash Wizard Prescription: California car owners wishing to preserve their auto investment should wash their car every week for protection against long-term damage from salt, acid rain, and other harmful elements. If you see or feel salt building up on your car, wash it within a few days to avoid the beginnings of corrosion. A professional detail job at least once a year - preferably twice - will keep the carpets and upholstery looking like new. Research shows that resale or trade-in values for cars can be significantly increased (by more than $1,500) if the exterior and interior of an automobile were well cared for.

Benefits Of Car Washing

Benefit #1 – You’ll protect your investment
The fact is that if you're not washing your car at least once or twice a month, your car is probably suffering from environmental damage a little bit each day. Consider these facts:

• Acid rain, a problem throughout North America caused by industrial and automotive pollution, leaves a film of acid on your car after a rainfall. This can permanently damage your car's finish.

• Salt, which is used on winter roads, can corrode even the toughest paints and finishes in the long run if not washed off consistently.

• Bird droppings, road grime, and tree sap can also mar your car's shiny finish, leaving it dulled and imperfect looking. The outcome of this damage? Lost dollars when it comes time to sell or trade-in your vehicle. But don't just take our word for it.

According to Kelley Blue Book, a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer with 45,000 miles described as in 'excellent' condition (glossy paint, no visible defects inside or outside, no rust, and in excellent mechanical condition) is valued at $6,835.

In contrast, this same Chevrolet Blazer is valued at 20% less in 'fair' condition (paint, body or interior may need work, rust damage may be evident, some mechanical or cosmetic defects need repair). In this instance, the trade-in value is $5,475.

The bottom line: Professional car washes and detailing services reduce wear and tear to interiors and exteriors of cars, which directly impact the value of your car. Visit Kelley Blue Book to see how your trade-in value may be affected by interior or exterior car damage.

Quotes from the experts themselves:

On corrosion caused by road and marine salts: "…general corrosion can result in perforations in the body and can reduce the resale value of a vehicle… personal driving habits and diligent maintenance of the vehicle, such as regular washing and replacement of fluids, can have a significant effect on the reduction of corrosion." (NACE study: "Cost of Corrosion")

On carpet appearance: "Any stains will reduce the value." (Kelly Blue Book)

On upholstery appearance: "Should be clean… It usually has some added value if it is in good shape." (Kelley Blue Book)

Benefit #2 – Pro Car Washes are More Environmentally Friendly
Automatic and self-service car washes use water efficient equipment, such as computer controlled systems and high-pressure nozzles and pumps, to clean cars thoroughly while conserving water.

Professional car washes use an average of 32 gallons of water per vehicle. If this sounds like a lot of water, consider this: Washing your car at home can use up to twice this amount. In fact, some studies show that washing your car in the driveway can use up to 10 times more water than taking your car to a professional car wash.

The Clean Water Act, established by the government in 1972, mandates professional car washes to pipe dirty water to treatment facilities or into state-approved drainage facilities.

Quite the opposite, home car washes pollute the environment as soap and road grime (oil, tar, dirt) end up in storm sewers that flow into lakes, streams and rivers. Many North American cities have even banned driveway or parking lot charity car-washing events, which result in soapy discharge and wasted water. Increasingly, professional car washes are considered as better site options for such events.

Benefit #3 – Emotional Satisfaction
Surprisingly, the primary reason cited by drivers for not taking better care of their cars is lack of time. The truth is that professional car washes help save time. Considering that an average automatic car wash takes five to eight minutes, the investment of time to keep your car looking great is 20 to 35 minutes a month, if your car is washed every week. On the other hand, home washes typically take 30-45 minutes, totaling two to three hours a month.

Most people view their cars as a reflection of personality or status. A smaller group looks at their cars as simply a means of transportation. Regardless of what your car means to you, most of us feel a sense of pride when our car is clean. We feel more organized, too.

Surprisingly, the primary reason cited by drivers for not taking better care of their cars is lack of time. The truth is that professional car washes help save time. Considering that an average automatic car wash takes five to eight minutes, the investment of time to keep your car looking great is 20 to 35 minutes a month, if your car is washed every week. On the other hand, home washes typically take 30-45 minutes, totaling two to three hours a month.