Did you know a sponge can be 2,000 times dirtier than a toilet when not cleaned and sanitized properly? According to DailyMail.com, a typical sponge can be one of the dirtiest items to use when it comes time to clean. This means that every time “at-home” car washers use a sponge to wash their cars, they’re exposed to a serious amount of germs and bacteria—and that’s to say nothing of the dirty water involved. Sponges and dirty water are just some of the reasons a professional car wash is a safer option than an at home scrub. The car’s exterior can also be at risk.

An At-Home Car Wash’s Effect on Your Car

Many people don’t realize that hand washing a car at home can have a significant negative impact on the car’s paint. A study by the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas revealed that a DIY car wash “can produce scratches that penetrate as deep as 1/10 of the total thickness of the automobile’s paint.” The study also found that a typical garden hose usually does not produce enough water pressure for an adequate, damage-free clean. However, “when cars were washed by professional full service car washes, there was virtually no change in the surface reflectance or shine readings.”

Importance of Car Wash Quality

While it is hard to trust an investment as big as a car to someone else, it’s important to remember finish and exterior quality are important when determining the overall worth of an automobile. The last thing a vehicle owner wants is a dull or old-looking car exterior, and Mr. Clean Car Wash professionals know how to protect a car’s finish.

Mr. Clean Car Wash understands that automobiles are not just vehicles, they are hard earned investments, and investments should be kept safe. Do the safe thing, and steer clear of germs and scratches, and save some time in the process. Head on over to Mr. Clean Car Wash and get $5 off our Signature Shine Full Service Wash that cleans, shines, and protects.

There is a lot to choose from in the world of motor oils. As a consumer, you may find yourself pretty overwhelmed by brands, varieties and technology when tasked with choosing the right oil for your vehicle at your local oil change place. Pennzoil motor oil offers the highest protection against engine sludge on the market. It comes in a variety of premium synthetic blends—so it meets the standards of every vehicle on the road. What makes Pennzoil stand out from the rest?

Let’s take a closer look:

Clean Technology

Tolerances in today’s engines are tighter than ever before. Today’s engines have reached the highest of performance and fuel economy standards. With all of their precision, engines are more dependent on clean running oil. As your engine runs, it creates combustion gases, moisture and other deposits that can gum up moving parts. Ultimately, this can hurt your engine’s performance and damage parts. All Pennzoil oils are designed with Active Cleaning Agents that keep your engine clean and free of debris and corrosion. That’s why they’re the oil of choice for flagship vehicles with names like Ferrari and Dodge.

Synthetics

According to Pennzoil, a cleaner engine is better protected and more responsive. Modern engines create a lot of contaminants that can corrode and damage its components. Full synthetic oils capture contaminants and prevent engine-damaging deposits that build up on parts and cause cooling and lubrication issues. Pennzoil offers a variety of synthetic oils from Platinum High Mileage (which is designed for higher mileage engines and restores worn seals and helps prevent leaks) to Platinum and Ultra Platinum (which are the standard for performance vehicles including the 640hp Dodge SRT Viper).

Guaranteed Protection

Pennzoil oils also come with their Lubrication Limited Warranty, which covers 15 critical engine parts. When you enroll in their warranty and use any Pennzoil motor oil except Ultra Platinum, you’re covered for up to 10 years/300,000 miles. Ultra Platinum extends that warranty up to 15 years/500,000 miles thanks to its PurePlus Technology.

Engines these days are precisely engineered. Keeping your engine running at peak performance is more important now than it ever has been. Pennzoil motor oils are designed to keep parts lubricated and to cool them off. This leads to a better running and longer lasting engine.

Mr. Clean Car Wash uses Pennzoil products. For more information on Mr. Clean Car Wash oil changes, check out Mr. Clean Car Wash & Oil Change Plus.

The used car market is booming. In 2014, sales of certified pre-owned cars topped all previous records. There are a lot of reasons for that—not the least of which is Millennials’ entering the job market’s need for transportation. The best-known reason for buying a used car is depreciation. The value of a new car drops by about 20% as soon as it’s driven off the lot. It drops another 10% during the first year. Buying pre-owned vehicles, especially newer vehicles turned in from leases, is a great way to avoid taking that hit. It’s also a smart way to get a better car for an affordable price.

Buying a “new” car is always exciting, whether it’s a one-year-old BMW or a 10-year-old Honda. Here are vehicle maintenance tricks new owners can employ to keep their purchases in like-new condition:

Oil Change

Unless the previous owner provided service records, it’s a good idea to get the oil changed. Some owners delay vehicle maintenance if they know they’re about to sell their car. Others put it off because they can’t find the time, unaware of the damage they’re causing. Starting out fresh with an oil change is the best way to avoid driving around with low or dirty oil. Mr. Clean Car Wash offers five different levels of oil changes to meet any vehicle need.

Routine Vehicle Maintenance

Oil changes aren’t the only kind of maintenance that should be performed at regular intervals. Air and fuel filters have to be changed, wipers and belts have to be replaced, transmission, power steering and differential fluids need replacing, etc. Without documentation of recent services, starting off with routine recommended services is a smart way to extend the life of the vehicle.

Interior Cleaning

Some people put the interior of their cars through a lot of abuse: muddy dogs, sticky hands, spilled drinks, smoke, etc. Even if the car looks clean, there could be dirt and allergens deep in the carpet or upholstery, caked into the rims of cup holders, or hidden in other nooks and crannies. A professional interior detailing is the best way to remove all remnants of a car’s previous life.

Exterior cleaning

While routine vehicle maintenance is what keeps a car running, the exterior is the first thing people see. A professional wash that includes cleaning the vehicle interior and applying a tire shine will improve the appearance of any vehicle, but a thorough detailing can enhance a used cars appearance.

A previously-owned car can be a smart investment, especially if you take good care of it. Mr. Clean Car Wash can help you with all aspects of vehicle maintenance and upkeep. Visit us today to learn more.

image: flickr via JD Hancock, 2009

How often should a car owner wash their car? Every week? Every month? Once a year? What if they had unlimited car washes?

Everyone loves a shiny new car—and the sleek look and feel of the paint on a car that’s come straight off the lot. Car washes can give a car buyer a rush—and may just be the easiest solution to “let your love shine.”

How to Get Unlimited Car Washes

Mr. Clean Car Wash knows how important it is to keep a car’s exterior in premium shape. Cleaning helps extend the life of the vehicle’s paint. The professional quality helps to protect the car from scratches that happen during ordinary car washes. Water pressure is a huge factor when it comes to protecting a car’s finish. If dirt and other particles are not properly removed—major issues can occur. This is why scrubbing a vehicle down at home can be dangerous.

So how can a car owner ensure a superior car wash every single time? That’s easy—with unlimited car washes . Driving a clean car has never been easier, or more affordable. Unlimited car washes give car owners the peace of mind they need—as they’re able to get a car wash whenever the car owner wants. In addition, car washes help to further protect the vehicle and keep the value intact.

How Cleaning Impacts the Future

Most car owners would be happy with some extra cash (especially when it comes time for a new car). What if a simple clean was the key? Keeping a car clean with regular professional car washes will not only help to keep it looking good, but can also help give the car a higher resale value. If getting a car wash can add even a little extra to the resale value, why not do it? Protecting a car’s exterior extends past the current life of the vehicle and into the future.

A new car owner loves to show off a new purchase the first chance they get—but are they still showing it off months or years down the road? Should they be? How can a car owner protect the initial shine so it lasts? When a car owner comes to get a car detailing, it important they understand that a detailing means more than just getting the outside to shine. Specifically, an auto detail can help protect the paint so the “wow factor” does not fade. Here are 5 simple tips to protect a car’s exterior paint:

1. Get regular professional car washes! Not only do regular car washes help reduce scratches, they also almost instantly improve the appearance of the exterior.

2. Wax! Waxing is not just for muscle cars. Mr. Clean Car Wash’s Express Wax keeps the paint protected for up to 3 months.

3. Use the right product! Demand the highest quality products. Not just any product will do when it comes to maintaining the quality of a vehicle. Make sure you’re using the Professional Series of products offered by Mothers Polishes Waxes and Cleaners.

4. Hire the right technicians! Make sure the technicians that do the work are properly certified. Nothing can jeopardize a paint job more than the hands that are being hired to protect it.

5. Keep the car clean! Get a Super Shine Detail from Mr. Clean Car Wash. There is no better way to protect a vehicle than to get a full clean inside and out. Car detailing can seem like a hassle, but overall the health and wealth of a vehicle depends on lasting quality and care.

Tags: car owner, exterior paint, paint, paint job

A new car is a big investment. It’s a purchase that most car owners spend 5-7 years paying for—so why not take care of it? Even the vehicle is older than most—a car detail, oil change and car wash are just a few things that can be done to keep the car looking and running like it did on day one. One of the first things most do when they buy a car is get car insurance. Why? They want to protect their investment. However, it takes more than insurance to keep a car protected—it also takes maintenance.

The Car’s Exterior

A vehicle’s initial “wow” factor is its exterior: the paint job, the specific rims and trim selected according to the owner’s individual taste, as well as the overall shine of the body. Sometimes it seems impossible to keep a vehicle in “straight off the lot condition,” but in reality it is not as difficult as it would appear.

Keeping Cars in Shape To whip a car into shape, make sure the car receives regular full service car washes from the professionals at Mr. Clean Car Wash. A professional car wash not only protects the paint on the vehicle from looking dull, but also reduces scratches from at-home car washes. Also, full service car washes can include a car detail. Car detailing can drastically improve the upholstery of any vehicle, which keeps it looking, and smelling, like new. Next, getting regular oil changes every 3,000 keeps a car’s engine in tune.

Many people think regular oil changes can be a huge cost, but they also help catch any other issues before they become a problem—saving the car owner money in the long run. An owner can also protect the engine and transmission from the extreme weather changes with Mr. Clean Car Wash’s radiator or transmission service. Protecting a vehicle inside and out becomes most crucial when it comes time to trade in or sell the vehicle. A well maintained car can get a higher resell value and a higher Kelly Blue Book score. Whether a car needs an oil change, detailing, a full service car wash or all of the above, Mr. Clean Car Wash is dedicated to vehicle maintenance. In the long run, it only benefits the owner to maintain one of their greatest investments.

Tags: car insurance, car washes, paint job

Checking a car’s oil regularly is important step towards maintain a car’s engine. However, for many, heading under the hood can be a bit nerve racking. With so many covers, reservoirs and do-hickeys, those with a less-than-mechanical ability tend to quickly shut the hood and head to the local oil change place.

Here’s a quick guide to checking the oil that breaks down when it’s time to get it changed.

Under the Hood

Car engines have what’s called an oil dipstick. Oil dipsticks are long rods that reach down into the bottom of the oil pan where oil is stored. The top of this stick is located in the front of the engine and has a brightly colored loop that can be used to pull it out. Once out, the other end will have a set of holes or some other system of markings that represent the minimum and maximum oil levels for the engine. If you can’t find the dipstick for your specific vehicle, check the owner’s manual for its location as some vehicles have it located in other spots.

Before You Get Going

When working with an engine, like any machine, it’s important to be aware of some safety measures and work in the right environment to avoid damaging it or injuring yourself. First, make sure that your engine is off and that the radiator fan or other externally moving components are not running. Also, the oil inside a running engine can reach temperatures of 200+ degrees so give the engine an hour to cool down before checking your oil. Finally, since you’re checking the oil level in the bottom of the engine, be sure to park your vehicle on a flat level surface where the oil level will be consistent throughout.

What’s That Sticker?

Often times, the last oil change place you took your vehicle to placed a sticker in the upper left corner of your windshield. This sticker indicates the date and mileage you will be due for your next oil change. While different oil manufacturers and shops will vary in their opinion on how often to change the oil, the sticker on the windshield will most likely range between 3000-5000 miles or 3-5 months. If you’re ever unsure about your oil level or when to have it changed, you can always refer to the sticker for a quick reference.

Ready, Set, Check

Now that you’re ready to check your oil, have a shop towel ready before pulling the dipstick out to check the oil. Pull the stick out and wipe it clean before reinserting it. This will help ensure an accurate reading. The stick needs to be wiped off to remove excess oil that may have splashed up on the stick while the engine was running. Remove the dipstick again and observe the oil level in comparison to the markings on it. Be sure that the level is correct and also that the oil is clean. Clean oil will have a golden brown color while oil that needs to be replaced will be dark or have debris in it.

What’s Next?

When you observe the oil you may notice that the color and cleanliness look good but the level is a little low. If this is the case, add some oil but be sure to use the same viscosity that was already in the engine. Not sure which oil to use? It may be better to be safe than sorry. Call the oil change place that last did the oil change and ask them what they put in. If the motor oil is dirty or very low, it may be time for a trip to Mr. Clean Car Wash for an oil change. Also, if you’ve gone past the amount of time allotted on your car’s oil change sticker, it may be time for a change.

So much advancement has been made when it comes to motor oil. That said, it can be difficult to determine just how long a car can go before it needs an oil change. The sticker in the corner of the windshield may say 3000 miles while some of mechanic friends may claim it can go 5000 miles. So how can the right time for an oil change be determined? Here are some best practices:

1. Go by the Book

When automakers design vehicles, they spend a lot of time studying the needs of the vehicles in terms of maintenance. They create a service schedule that best fits their products. This schedule can be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. This manual will not only describe how often the oil should be changed, but also will provide any additional details about the vehicle’s oil. With some manufacturers, this information can be search and downloaded online as well.

2. Don’t Wait until It’s Too Late

It’s important to remember that oil keeps the engine’s internal parts moving. That said, don’t put changing the oil off too long. Most importantly, don’t just wait for a warning light to come on. Not only does oil lubricate the moving parts, it also carries contaminants and dirt away to protect the engine. The damage caused by a lack of oil is permanent and can cause the engine to fail completely. Waiting to see the low oil light is one of the worst things a car owner could do.

3. Be in the Synthetic Know Synthetic oils have come a long way. Whether the car requires it (some do) or not, using it is something that should be considered. The lifespan for synthetic oil is typically longer than conventional oil and can range up to 7000-10,000 miles. Another factor that will indicate how long to go between changes is driving conditions. Things such as towing, driving in high temperatures or frequent cold starts are all factors that will shorten the lifespan of the engine’s oil. Regular oil changes are important and Mr. Clean Car Wash can provide car owners with more than just a car wash.

Find a local Mr. Clean Car Wash & Oil Change Plus and check the Promotions page for savings on oil changes.

Tags: conventional oil, free car wash, low oil light, oil change, oil change coupons, oil change place, priced oil changes, Regular oil changes, synthetic oil

What is a door jamb?

A door jamb is the area on a vehicle where the door connects to the body of the car. While most car owners rarely thinking about door jambs when doing regular car cleaning, they provide housing for parts of a car that are essential for the door to open and close properly. That includes things like the hinges, strikers, and guides.

Part of a door jamb’s job is to act as a seal between the interior of the car and outside elements. That said, door jambs collect a lot of dirt and grime. Moreover, manufacturers often apply a generous coating of grease to keep the door from squeaking when opened and shut—grease that attracts dirt and grime.

Why is a clean door jamb important?

Unfortunately, door jambs are an area of the car that’s frequently forgotten by the most conscientious owners during a full car cleaning. However, a dirty, smudged door jamb can cancel out the impact of an otherwise-thorough car cleaning in an instant. A filthy jamb certainly detracts from a car’s overall appearance, especially when the contrast is underscored by the car’s sparkling-clean exterior. In addition, it’s all too easy for that grit and grime to transfer to clothing, causing permanent stains. The dirt, grease, and moisture found on door jambs create the perfect breeding ground for rust. And rust is one of a car’s deadliest enemies. Finally, door jambs camouflage areas that have excessive wear and other developing problems, and therefore it’s important they get the attention they need.

How do I clean my car’s door jambs?

Cleaning door jambs can be done at home — but takes time and effort that could be used for more enjoyable activities. Car owners who want the job done right without the time commitment, the aching back and the throbbing knees can bring their cars to Mr. Clean Car Wash for detailing. Mr. Clean Car Wash wipes clean the door jambs with a full service wash. Mr. Clean Car Wash also offers a full detail service that includes a thorough cleaning and polishing of all door jambs, in addition to a full-service wash, carpet shampoo, an express wax, as well as a seat and interior hard surface cleaning and conditioning.

Mr. Clean Car Wash is currently offering a $5 off coupon on any single detailing package—so there’s no reason to let dirty car jambs undermine a car’s value. Stop by a Mr. Clean Car Wash today!

Image courtesy of flickr via 8one6, 2010

There’s nothing more frustrating than taking a vehicle to the car wash—and having it get rained on right after. Water spots, splashed up mud and even spray from other vehicles on the road can leave deposits. Instances like these may even make it seem like the car was never washed at all, while simultaneously ruining the car’s appearance

Rain Causes Damage

Believe it or not though, rain can do much more than damage a car’s appearance. Rain can cause issues below the surface of a car’s paint, too. In addition, acid rain can leave sulfates that ruin a car’s finish over time. The auto industry and EPA both agree that environmental fallout such as acid rain can cause damage.

While “environmental fallout” can include decaying bugs, bird droppings, air pollution and others, acid rain is one of the largest causes of automotive finish damage. As rain evaporates on a vehicle’s surface, it leaves behind deposits of pollution from burnt fossil fuels, which are collected in atmospheric water vapor such as rain, snow and even fog.

Protecting the Car’s Finish

Environmental pollution leaves acidic residue which, over time, will eat away at paint jobs. To protect a vehicle’s finish, Mr. Clean Car Wash recommends frequent car washes (especially after it rains). Car washes remove corrosive residues left behind by acid rain. Washing the car regularly keeps the surface clean of sulfuric and nitric acids, which can damage the clear coat and paint.

Mr. Clean Car Wash also suggests use of waxes and protective coatings, which can be applied during the car wash or by one of their exterior detailing services. In between washes, keeping the vehicle covered or out of the rain completely will help avoid damage. However, a car will inevitably face rain. Keeping it clean and waxed is the best defense to the effects of rain.

For more information on keeping your car exterior looking good, visit a local Mr. Clean Car Wash & Oil Change Plus and join Mr. Clean Car Wash’s free VIP Club to receive free car washes and other promotions.