Sonic Wash Express

Road grime builds up faster here than newcomers expect. Winter brings sand and brine off the highway and the hill routes, spring brings a fortnight of pollen and orchard dust, and summer adds lake spray, insects and whatever comes off a gravel shoulder. A vehicle on the west side rarely stays clean for long, which makes a wash a routine errand rather than an occasional treat.

Express washes differ in what they include and in how they are laid out, so it helps to know what you are buying. Ask what separates the packages, whether an undercarriage rinse is part of it, which matters most at the end of winter, and whether vacuums are available afterwards. If you tow a trailer, carry a roof box or drive something taller than average, check the clearance before committing to the lane. Monthly plans are common in this trade and pay for themselves quickly if you wash often, so ask whether one is offered before paying for a single visit. Expect company on a Saturday, when everyone else has had the same idea.