Hand Car Wash vs. Touchless Car Wash

2020 GMC Acadia Grill

When it comes to maintaining your new vehicle’s appearance after some harsh commutes from Raleigh or Apex, which is best for your vehicle: a hand car wash or touchless car wash? It’s hard to beat the convenience of a hands-free car wash with so many popping up in shopping centers and strip malls, but can anything beat a gentle but thorough hand wash car wash? Hendrick Buick GMC Cary takes a look at the pros and cons of a hands-free carwash vs. a hand wash car wash.

Hand Wash Car Wash Facts 

When your vehicle needs a thorough washing, a hand car wash is best. You can do this yourself at home, or find skilled hand wash car wash services at dealerships like Hendrick Buick GMC Cary. Consider the following pros and cons: 

Hand Car Wash Advantages

  • A More Thorough Clean – Opting for a hand wash car wash means a deeper clean for your car, as you can get into the small crevices that may be missed by a hands-free car wash. Places like the undercarriage are more easily accessible and you can get rid of eyesores like dried bugs on the windshield or headlights. 
  • Affordable – Washing your car at home vs. having someone else wash it can save you money. 

Hand Car Wash Disadvantages

  • You’ll Pay a Bit More at Specialty Facilities – Naturally, you’ll pay more if you get your car washed at a dealership or specialty facility than if you took the DIY route. However, if you don’t have the time or space to wash your car yourself, it’s probably worth it.
  • Car Paint Could Be Damaged – This isn’t a guaranteed disadvantage, but it could happen if you hand wash your vehicle too frequently. 

Touchless Car Wash Facts 

Also known as a hands-free car wash, a touchless car wash is the automatic mechanized car wash you loved going through as a kid. Automated car washes are usually cheaper than bringing your car in for a hand wash, and they’re easy to find in Holly Springs, but they too offer their own advantages and drawbacks: 

Hands-Free Car Wash Advantages

  • Convenience – Automated car washes are designed for speed and efficiency, and can have your car cleaned in about 10 minutes or less. 
  • Easier on Your Paint – Touchless car washes are gentle on cars to avoid paint scratching and damage. 
  • Cheaper Costs – No manual labor is involved at a touchless car wash, so the costs are relatively low. 

Hands-Free Car Wash Disadvantages

  • End Result Might Be Unsatisfactory – Because automatic car washes are made to be gentle on car paint, they’re not always the best at removing stuck-on debris. 
  • Water Spots – Typically, air dryers are located at the end of automatic car washes to remove any stray water droplets, but they’re not always effective. Your car may end up with water spots. 

Keep Your Vehicle Clean With Hendrick Buick GMC Cary

It’s easy to keep your vehicle sparkling clean inside and out with the help of the Hendrick Buick GMC Cary service team! We have information on the best way to care for your leather car seats and floor mats. We can even help you preserve that coveted new car smell. Just contact our service department today with your questions.

Hendrick Vehicle Disclaimer:

 

$799.00 Dealer Administrative Fee included in advertised price.

All prices exclude all taxes, tag, title, registration fees and government fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all taxes and government fees and title/registration fees in the state where the vehicle will be registered. All prices include all manufacturer to dealer incentives, which the dealer retains unless otherwise specifically provided. Dealer not responsible for errors and omissions; all offers subject to change without notice; please confirm listings with dealer.

All vehicles may not be physically located at this dealership but may be available for delivery through this location. Transportation charges may apply. Please contact the dealership for more specific information. All vehicles are subject to prior sale.

 

Additional Disclaimers:

 


Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details. 

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #ZT20735. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 6/30/26. **Length of contract limited. Must finance through GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26. ***Deferred monthly payments for 90 days. Excludes residents of PA. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #ZT21070. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 6/30/26. **Monthly payment is $16.67 for every $1,000 you finance. Average example down payment is 10.3%. Must finance through GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26. ***Deferred monthly payments for 130 days. Excludes residents of PA. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #ZT20201. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 6/30/26. **Length of contract limited. Must finance through GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26. ***Deferred monthly payments for 120 days. Excludes residents of PA. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #ZT21070. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 6/30/26. **Monthly payment is $16.67 for every $1,000 you finance. Average example down payment is 10.3%. Must finance through GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26. ***Deferred monthly payments for 130 days. Excludes residents of PA. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #ZT21070. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 6/30/26. **Monthly payment is $16.67 for every $1,000 you finance. Average example down payment is 10.3%. Must finance through GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26. ***Deferred monthly payments for 130 days. Excludes residents of PA. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #T21144. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 6/30/26. **Monthly payment is $18.37 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment is 28.3%. Must finance through GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26. ***Deferred monthly payments for 130 days. Excludes residents of PA. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 6/30/26.

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Hendrick Buick GMC Cary 35.73971, -78.81744.