Air blowers/dryers – Blow air over a vehicle to remove water and help the drying process. 

Anti-collision control: Technology that detects vehicles at the end of a conveyor and automatically stops and starts the conveyor, preventing collisions.

Automated pay stations: Self-service pay stations that allow customers to choose a wash from the menu and pay using a credit/debit card, cash and/or gift card.

Boom: The arm extension in a car wash tunnel that holds a hose and nozzle for washing the vehicle.

Conveyor: Motor-driven mechanism utilizing belts, pulleys and rollers that transports vehicles through a carwash tunnel. Conveyors are mounted in the trench.

Express Wash – An exterior-only car wash tunnel that typically does not include any other drying or finishing process. Usually provide separate area for self-service drying/cleaning.

Front wheel pull – Roller comes up behind the left front wheel, engaging the wheel, and pulls the car through the wash tunnel.

Flex-service Wash: Usually a combination of express exterior and full-service car wash services.

Full-Service Wash – Car wash that includes both interior and exterior cleaning. An employee typically undertakes interior cleaning such as vacuuming, cleaning windows, wiping dash and console following a car’s trip through a car wash tunnel.

High-pressure wash/washers: System of rotating water jets that spray concentrated streams of water onto the car. Often used to remove mud, dirt and salt.

In-bay automatic car wash: Self-contained in a small bay and cycles over or around the vehicle while it is placed in the park. Common at gas stations and convenience stores.

Induction loops: Pads or stands that detect a vehicle passing over it by measuring a change in the magnetic pressure. Also signals when a vehicle has left the wash tunnel.

Mirror rinse: Applies spot-free water to sideview mirrors to prevent spotting, or freshwater to help remove soap, wax and reclaim water.

Motor control center (MCC): Houses the starters, switching and overload protection devices for electric motors used in the car wash system.

Presoak: Water/solution sprayed over the car in the initial wash stage to wet the vehicle before detergents are added and to loosen dirt and oil.

Pulse switch: A switch that measures the chain travel and communicates with the tunnel controller to turn equipment on/off.

Rear wheel push – Refers to the type of conveyor used to push the vehicle from the rear tire in a car wash tunnel.

Surface conveyor: A conveyor in which the rollers ride completely on the surface. Does not require a conveyor pit.

Water softener system: Softens the water used in the car wash tunnel for cleaning, especially with detergent applicator systems.

Wrap-around brushes/washers: Rotating brushes attached to knuckling arms for cleaning all vertical surfaces of a vehicle.