How to Go Through an Automatic Car Wash: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Timers

Pulling into an automatic car wash for the first time can feel a little stressful. Where do you stop? Do you put it in neutral or park? What about your mirrors, and do car washes even take cash anymore? This guide covers how to go through a car wash step by step, with tips specific to touchless in-bay washes like Ben’s ScratchFree CarWash in Fort Worth.

• 100%touch-free
• 3 minor less, every wash
• 8 ftmax vehicle height
• 24/7always open

Before You Pull In: A 60-Second Checklist

• Close all windows and the sunroof all the way.
• Turn off automatic wipers. This is the one people forget. Rain-sensing wipers can switch on mid-wash.
• Retract or remove antennas if you have a manual mast antenna.
• Secure the truck bed. Remove loose items and make sure tonneau covers are latched.
• Check aftermarket accessories. Light bars, racks, and bike carriers should be tight. Remove anything loose, like a flag or magnetic sign.
• Know your height. Lifted truck or roof rack? Ben’s Fort Worth bay fits vehicles up to 8 feet tall. (See our large vehicle car wash guide if you’re not sure.)

How to Go Through a Touchless Car Wash, Step by Step

1. Pick your wash and payPull up to the pay station and choose your wash. At Ben’s, single washes are $14 (Basic Clean), $18 (Premium Shine), or $24 (Ultimate Wash). Monthly members don’t need to stop and pay; your plan is linked to your vehicle’s license plate through the app.
2. Wait for the signal, then pull in slowlyWait until the entry sign tells you to go. Drive in slowly and keep your wheels straight. Watch the sign at the front of the bay, which will tell you to keep moving forward or to stop.
3. Stop, shift into park, and relaxWhen the sign says STOP, stop and shift into Park. Unlike a tunnel wash, an in-bay touchless wash doesn’t move your vehicle; the equipment moves around you. Keep your foot off the gas and your hands in your lap.
4. Let the wash do its thingLaser sensors measure your vehicle, then the arm moves around it with a pre-soak, tri-color foam, high-pressure rinse, spot-free rinse, and heated air dryers. It’s loud but completely normal, and nothing will touch your vehicle. The whole thing takes three minutes or less.
5. Wait for the exit signal and drive outWhen the sign says it’s done, shift into drive and pull out slowly. The dryers will get most of the water off. For a perfect finish, pull into a parking spot and wipe mirrors, door handles, and jambs with a microfiber towel.

Do Car Washes Take Cash?

Some still do, but more and more washes are going cashless, including Ben’s. Our Fort Worth location is 100% cashless:

• Credit and debit cards: All major cards are accepted at the touch-free automatic bay and the self-serve bays.
• Contactless payment: Tap to pay and skip the card slot.
• Monthly membership: No paying at the kiosk at all. Your plan is tied to your license plate, so you just pull in and go.

Cashless means faster lines, no broken bill changers at 2 a.m., and no need to dig for quarters. If you usually pay with cash, a monthly wash plan is the easiest way to wash without carrying a card.

First-Timer Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving auto wipers on. Turn them off before you pay.
• Stopping too early or too late. Follow the sign, not your guess. The sensors need you in the right spot to clean evenly.
• Hitting the brakes or gas mid-wash. Stay in park until the exit signal.
• Running a mud-caked truck straight through. After a weekend near Eagle Mountain Lake or on ranch roads, knock off the heavy mud in a self-serve bay first. Here’s our self-serve bay guide.

Is an Automatic Car Wash Safe for My Car?

A touchless automatic wash is the gentlest automatic option because no brushes or cloth touch your paint. That matters if you have a new vehicle, a ceramic coating, a wrap, or matte paint. Learn more in Are Touchless Car Washes Safe?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you put your car in neutral or park in a car wash? It depends on the wash. In a tunnel wash with a conveyor, you shift into neutral. In an in-bay automatic wash like Ben’s touchless bay, you stop where the sign tells you and shift into park, because the equipment moves around your vehicle.

Do car washes take cash? Many car washes are now cashless. Ben’s ScratchFree CarWash in Fort Worth accepts all major credit and debit cards and contactless payment, and doesn’t accept cash. Monthly members don’t pay at the kiosk at all.

Should I fold my mirrors in a touchless car wash? Because nothing touches your vehicle in a touchless wash, you usually don’t need to. If you have power-folding mirrors or loose aftermarket mirrors, folding them is a harmless extra precaution.

How long does an automatic car wash take? At Ben’s, a full touchless wash takes three minutes or less from pre-soak to dry.

Can I go through a car wash with a roof rack or light bar? Usually, yes, in a touchless wash, as long as the accessory is securely mounted and your total height is 8 feet or less at Ben’s Fort Worth location. Brush and cloth washes are more likely to snag accessories.