How Much To Tip At The Car Wash?

A classic car at the car wash getting washed

Tipping, in any industry, can be confusing. In the United States, we are most familiar with the concept of tipping at restaurants. Tipping then tendrils into other areas of the food service industry, including pizza delivery, your morning cup of coffee, and late night cocktails with tips to the bar staff.

But did you know that employees of other industries also enjoy some extra coin after a job (hopefully) well done? The auto industry is one such industry that leaves room for a few discretionary dollars to be exchanged after the transaction. In the old days, a gas station attendant might receive a tip for giving a car who pulled up for gas the "once over", where they checked under the hood for proper levels, the tires for air, and gave the windshield, front and back, a quick wash with some soapy suds and a squeegee.

Same held true for your local car detailers. Maybe the last time you got your car vacuumed out and your upholstery cleansed, you tossed the guy a $5 bill. Given that, we'd like to reintroduce you to tipping at the car wash. Yes, it happens. And if you're curious as to how much you should fork over, we'll get you straightened out.

Car Wash Tipping Guidelines

For starters, let's set some ground rules. You don't tip at the car wash when it's entirely automated. The kid that hardly looks up when he grabs your credit card as your car's tires slide into the rails of the washing track might need your money, but probably - your determination as always - doesn't deserve a tip. If he's not looking up from his smartphone to acknowledge you in the driver's seat, he's certainly not grabbing a bucket and a scrub brush to get those white walls looking sharp.

You can, and probably should, tip for dedicated labor. This comes in the form of a hand washing. Professionally done or via your local school fundraiser doesn't change that fact.

Remember, you are tipping on the general quality of service that you receive, as well as the type. While type might be specific based on the services rendered, quality extends into a variety of facets. Have you established a relationship with a particular employee? Are you a frequent customer? Etc.

Tipping, at a car wash no less, doesn't run with the same expectations as your favorite Italian joint across the street from the car wash facility. It's more about showing gratitude and appreciation for a job well done, as, to our knowledge, most car wash employees are receiving a wage or salary and not relying on tips like waitstaff.

How Much Do You Tip in General?

Do I Tip Based On My Vehicle?

You may not agree, but we feel that the make and model is important. We are going to tip more to have our 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible washed than we would our 2018 SUV. And, tip more to have our 2018 SUV washed than our 2012 small sedan. Hopefully that makes sense.

Empty car wash bay ready to wash the next vehicle

What About Self-Wash Bays?

No, you do not tip the company for the use of a self-wash bay.

The Proper Etiquette of Car Wash Tipping

Above all else, you don't tip until the job is complete. That is rule #1 in tipping. Next, make sure that you tip the person, or people, washing your car. As always, the owner of the car wash does not get tipped. That owner is collecting all the profits, no need to pad their bank account.

Types of Tips

Technically speaking, anything that contains value to someone else can be tipped. Now that we've established that, be cool and tip financially. Unless you have reason to believe that that high school kid with the chamois cloth absolutely loves home-baked chocolate chip cookies, you should tip with real money.