Spring-Loaded: Prepare Your Car Wash for the Increased Business Ahead

David Martin - Territory Equipment Sales Manager - Southeast

by Frank Donaldson, Service Manager / Howco Inc.

After months of harsh winter weather, spring ushers in a significant increase in traffic for car wash operators. Warmer temperatures, pollen, rain, and lingering winter grime drive customers back through your tunnel, bays, and vacuums. Is your car wash ready to handle the demand efficiently and profitably?

A proactive spring car wash maintenance plan helps ensure your equipment performs reliably, your site looks inviting, and your customers enjoy a smooth, high-quality wash experience. Below is a comprehensive spring checklist outlining what a Howco service technician addresses during our recommended semi-annual (spring and fall) inspection and tune-up, along with additional preparation items that set your operation up for Car Wash Success® during peak season.

Spring Car Wash Inspection & Tune-Up Checklist

Tunnel Equipment Maintenance

A thorough tunnel inspection by the Howco service team identifies action items to prevent costly downtime just as traffic ramps up. Our inspection points include:

Inspect all equipment bearings and motors to help recognize and reduce friction and wear.

Inspect conveyors, including sprockets, chains, pushers, the correlator, guide rails, decking, take-up, and drive sections.

Check trenches for debris that may impact the conveyor or reclaim system, such as road salt, leaves, sticks, trash, or debris from truck beds.

Inspect belts and chains for proper tension, wear, and alignment.

Check reclaim tanks. (Most operators are already on some type of yearly schedule for cleaning these. Howco will do a visual inspection and make any needed recommendations).

Inspect all hoses and nozzles (water, air, hydraulic, and chemical) for leaks, blockages, or low pressure, especially after cold winter conditions.

Inspect air systems, including compressors, regulators, valves, and cylinders.

Inspect all cloth and pressure wash brushes; replace worn or damaged materials to prevent vehicle scratching.

Inspect and clean vacuum systems, including filters and dirt pans.

Check and adjust chemical delivery systems and applicators.

Inspect blowers and dryers, ensuring mounting bolts, brackets, and oscillation are secure and functioning properly.

For Self-Serve & In-Bay Automatic Equipment

For self-serve and in-bay operations, consistent performance and safety are critical as usage increases. During your tune-up, a Howco service technician will:

Inspect and grease equipment bearings.

Inspect booms and hoses for water, air, or chemical leaks.

Check and adjust chemical delivery systems and applicators. (Adjustments will be performed by our chemical team for Howco chemical customers.)

Inspect guide rails for wear or misalignment.

Inspect proximity switches, targets, and photo eyes to ensure accurate readings.

Inspect air systems, including compressors, regulators, valves, and cylinders.

Inspect all cloth and clean or replace as needed.

Inspect and clean vacuum systems, including filters and dirt pans.

Looking Back at the Past Winter Season

As winter winds down and the details are still fresh on your mind, now is the ideal time to reflect on challenges your car wash faced during the colder months. Because no two sites experience the same conditions, documenting what worked and what didn’t for your unique operation will help you proactively address issues before next winter arrives.

Below are key areas to review as part of your post-winter evaluation.

Site Drainage

Winter weather puts extra strain on drainage systems, making this a critical area to assess.

Self-serve bays: Did the weep system create hazards from water freezing before reaching the drain?

Drains: Are all drains clean, clear, and free-flowing?

Walkways and exterior areas: Identify spots that consistently failed to thaw or that refroze after snow or ice events. Make note of these locations so you can plan ahead with proper drainage improvements or targeted ice-melt applications.

Bay and Backroom Heat

Maintaining adequate heat is essential to protect equipment and maintain uptime during freezing conditions.

Daily shutdown procedures: Would steps such as covering conveyor pits that extend outside the building have helped retain heat?

Bay doors: If your wash doesn’t currently have bay doors, would they have improved heat retention or reduced freeze-ups?

Weep and blowdown systems: Did these systems perform as expected, and were they sufficient during extreme cold?

Thermostats and controls: Confirm that all thermostats controlling heating and blowdown systems are accurate and functioning properly.

Site and Bay Lighting

Shorter days and longer nights make lighting especially important during winter.

Could winter conditions present an opportunity to upgrade bay and site lighting?

Modern LED lighting packages not only enhance curb appeal and attract customers, but also improve visibility, safety, and overall user experience for both customers and staff.

Additional Spring Preparation Tasks

Beyond a semi-annual car wash inspection and tune-up, spring is the ideal time to address deep cleaning, curb appeal, and customer-facing systems. Howco can assist directly or connect you with trusted vendors as needed.

Bay & Tunnel Deep Cleaning

Pressure-wash interior walls, ceilings, and equipment to remove winter salt and buildup.

Use specialized cleaners for stained walls or surfaces.

Inspect floor drains for standing water and remove sand or sludge to prevent backups during spring rains.

Inspect and clean sludge pits, ensuring proper sizing for your site’s volume.

Replace vacuum bags and filters; inspect hoses for holes and confirm strong suction to remove embedded road salt from carpets.

Exterior & Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, especially when customers are choosing where to wash.

Pressure-wash the entire exterior, including walls, entry/exit areas, and pay stations.

Inspect and replace burnt-out bulbs in signage and bay lighting.

Touch up paint on bollards, vacuum islands, signage, and walls.

Inspect landscaping and drainage; clear debris from drains to prevent standing water.

Chemicals & Fluids

The end of winter sees the need for restoration and adjustment of your chemical delivery system and program.

Check inventory levels and quality of detergents and waxes.

Consult with Howco on adjusting your chemical program for post-winter cleaning challenges.

Inspect hydraulic systems for leaks and verify proper oil levels.

Recalibrate chemical dispensing systems to account for temperature-related viscosity changes.

Test water quality and pH; refill water softener salt to maintain spot-free results.

Inspect, clean, or replace water and air filters and strainers to maintain optimal pressure and flow.

Inspect, clean, rearrange, and make repairs (if necessary) in your chemical storage area to ensure it is dry, well-ventilated, secure, and organized to prevent hazards.

Safety & Operations

Conduct regular visual walk-throughs and listen for unusual sounds during operation.

Inspect and clean on-site cameras to ensure clear visibility and effective monitoring of key areas.

Payment Systems & Customer Experience

As traffic increases, even small issues can create bottlenecks.

Test all POS components, including credit card readers, cash acceptors, and ticket dispensers.

Clean card readers and bill validators with specialized cleaning cards.

Restock air fresheners, wipes, snacks, and vending items.

Clean and organize all customer-facing areas—your facility should reflect the cleanliness you promise.

Get Spring-Ready with Howco

Spring is one of the busiest—and most profitable—seasons for car washes. With a proactive maintenance strategy and expert support, you can minimize downtime, protect your equipment investment, and deliver the clean, efficient experience your customers expect.

Contact Howco today to schedule your spring inspection and tune-up, and let us help you make the most of the busy days ahead.