Hand Car Wash vs. Touchless Car Wash
Regularly washing your car, SUV, or truck is an important part of maintaining your vehicle. Wondering whether a hand wash car wash or a touchless car wash is the better choice to keep your vehicle looking great on Normal-area roads? The car care experts in the Service Center at Sam Leman Ford are here to explain the pros and cons of both so you can choose the best way to keep your car looking new.
Hand Wash Car Wash
Whether you wash your car yourself at home or take it to a professional Decatur-area hand wash car wash, you should consider the following:
Hand Car Wash Advantages
- A More Thorough Cleaning – A hand wash car wash is better suited to cleaning small crevices and seams that may be missed by a hands-free car wash.
- You Can Do It Yourself – If you have the time and are up to the task, it’s fairly easy to hand wash your car yourself.
Hand Car Wash Disadvantages
- Hand Car Wash Facilities Can Be Pricey – A professional hand car wash costs more than a touchless car wash. Then again, if you don’t have the time or space to wash your car yourself, it may be worth it.
- Car Paint Could Be Damaged – It is possible to damage the paint if you hand wash your vehicle too frequently.
Touchless Car Wash Facts
A touchless, or hands-free car wash, is an automated car wash where a vehicle is typically put on a conveyor which carries it through various stations where it is sprayed down, scrubbed, buffed, and air-dried by machines. Here are some of the pros and cons of a touchless car wash:
Hands-Free Car Wash Advantages
- Convenience – At an automated hands-free car wash your car can be cleaned in about 10 minutes or less.
- Easier on Your Paint – Touchless car washes are designed to be gentle on the vehicle, reducing the chance of damaging the paint job.
- Cost – The price of a hands-free car wash in the Champaign-area is quite affordable.
Hands-Free Car Wash Disadvantages
- End Result Might Be Unsatisfactory – Touchless car washes don’t provide as deep a cleaning as a hand wash.
- Water Spots – The air dryers used in automated car washes are not always effective, so your car may end up with water spots.
Get More Car Care Tips From Sam Leman Ford
The experts in the Sam Leman Ford Service Center can provide a wide range of car care and service tips to help you keep your vehicle looking good and running at peak performance levels. Whether you’d like to learn how to clean car floor mats or want to know how often to change your oil, you can count on our team of professionals. Please feel free to contact our Service Center if you have any questions.
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*Active U.S. Ford Employees and Retirees only. Generate up to 4 PINs at FordServiceDiscount.com from 4/15/26-9/7/26 for personal use or to share. Limit 1 PIN per VIN. Receive a $50 instant discount on eligible maintenance services with a minimum $100 customer-pay repair order. Eligible services include oil changes, The Works®, brakes, batteries, tires, wipers, and filters. Requires purchase and installation of genuine Ford/Motorcraft® Parts or select name-brand tires. Valid only on Ford and Lincoln vehicles at participating U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® Store. Present PIN at write-up; prior authorization required. PINs expire 60 days after generation. See Service Advisor for full details through 9/7/26. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Quick Lane®, Motorcraft®, and The Works® are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company.
Expires: 09/07/2026
Sam Leman Ford
1508 Morrissey Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701
Service: 309-459-8115
Ford Employees and Retirees - Get four $50 instant service discounts to use or share.*
Eligible Services Include: The Works® Package, Tires, Brakes, Batteries, and More!
Expires: September 7, 2026
*Active U.S. Ford Employees and Retirees only. Generate up to 4 PINs at
FordServiceDiscount.com from 4/15/26-9/7/26 for personal use or to share. Limit 1 PIN per VIN. Receive a $50 instant discount on eligible maintenance services with a minimum $100 customer-pay repair order. Eligible services include oil changes, The Works®, brakes, batteries, tires, wipers, and filters. Requires purchase and installation of genuine Ford/Motorcraft® Parts or select name-brand tires. Valid only on Ford and Lincoln vehicles at participating U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® Store. Present PIN at write-up; prior authorization required. PINs expire 60 days after generation. See Service Advisor for full details through 9/7/26. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Quick Lane®, Motorcraft®, and The Works® are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company.
*To earn Points, activate Ford Rewards account within 60 days of qualifying activity. Points have no cash value; see FordRewards.com for terms, including Points expiration. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. **Limitations apply. Earn Points for the purchase of Ford, Motorcraft®, or Omnicraft™ Parts and associated labor at participating Ford Dealers. See FordRewards.com for terms and FAQ. Motorcraft® and Omnicraft™ are trademarks of Ford Motor Company. †The Ford app is compatible with select smartphone platforms and available via download. Message and data rates may apply. Visit Ford.com for privacy notice.
Expires: 12/31/2026
Sam Leman Ford
1508 Morrissey Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701
Service: 309-459-8115
Earn and redeem Points on Ford Service with Ford Rewards.*
Ford Rewards members can redeem Points for service and earn 10 Points per $1 spent on eligible Ford Service.**
Join and activate Ford Rewards by downloading the Ford app† or visiting FordRewards.com.
Expires: December 31, 2026
*To earn Points, activate Ford Rewards account within 60 days of qualifying activity. Points have no cash value; see
FordRewards.com for terms, including Points expiration. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. **Limitations apply. Earn Points for the purchase of Ford, Motorcraft®, or Omnicraft™ Parts and associated labor at participating Ford Dealers. See
FordRewards.com for terms and
FAQ. Motorcraft® and Omnicraft™ are trademarks of Ford Motor Company.
†The Ford app is compatible with select smartphone platforms and available via download. Message and data rates may apply. Visit
Ford.com for privacy notice.
*Offered by participating dealers. May be limited based on availability, distance, or other dealer criteria. Excludes parts and repair charges. Nonoperational vehicles are not eligible and require Roadside Assistance. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time.
Expires: 12/31/2026
Sam Leman Ford
1508 Morrissey Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701
Service: 309-459-8115
Ford Pickup & Delivery
When you need service, your dealer will pick up your vehicle, service it at the dealer, and deliver it back to you. It's complimentary and available at participating dealers.*
Expires: December 31, 2026
*Offered by participating dealers. May be limited based on availability, distance, or other dealer criteria. Excludes parts and repair charges. Nonoperational vehicles are not eligible and require Roadside Assistance. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time.
*Offered by participating dealers. May be limited based on availability, distance, or other dealer criteria. Excludes parts and repair charges. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time.
Expires: 12/31/2026
Sam Leman Ford
1508 Morrissey Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701
Service: 309-459-8115
Ford Mobile Service
Let your dealer come to you at your home or office to perform routine vehicle maintenance there on the spot. It's complimentary and available at participating dealers.*
Expires: December 31, 2026
*Offered by participating dealers. May be limited based on availability, distance, or other dealer criteria. Excludes parts and repair charges. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time.
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