Car wash in winter | BKF CarWash

In this article you will find a range of tips on running a car wash in the winter season. We have collected the questions our customers ask most often on this subject, and Konrad – a technical support engineer – has answered them. You can watch the video below or read the answers summarised underneath it.

Watch the video: Watch the video (in Polish)

How can we prepare our car wash for winter?

First of all, remember that all filters must be clean and unobstructed. A working anti-freeze circulation system is essential at a car wash. This means that the circulation tank or circulation well must be clean.

The next step is testing the circulation system. On the controller, go to Car wash > Temperature and set the switch-on temperature higher than the outside temperature. The circulation pump will then start and feed water from the tank to the guns. If water flows from the gun at the wash bay, the circulation is working properly.

What breaks down most often in winter?

The most common failures are pressure switches. These components monitor the pressure downstream of the circulation pump and are prone to being washed out and failing. Remember also to keep an eye on the alarms shown on the car wash controller. They must not be ignored, as this can lead to a serious breakdown in the near future.

What is the minimum temperature at which a car wash can operate?

As a manufacturer, we recommend using the car wash at temperatures no lower than minus 8°C. However, running a car wash at very low temperatures calls for common sense.

The car wash itself, as a machine, can operate at much lower temperatures because it is protected against frost by special systems such as circulation and floor heating.

At what temperature should we switch the car wash off?

Never switch the car wash off. When it is on, it keeps the anti-freeze systems running, which prevent water from standing still in the high-pressure hoses. However, the wash bays should be closed when the air temperature drops below minus 8°C, so that customers’ cars are not exposed to damage and water does not freeze on the paintwork.

How does BKF keep the car wash safe before winter?

Car wash owners can request an inspection of their equipment at any time as part of warranty and post-warranty inspections. It is a good idea to do this before winter. During the inspection BKF technicians check not only the main components but also the parts responsible for circulation and floor heating.

How else can we protect our car wash against winter?

It is worth considering additional options such as heated high-pressure hoses, hot circulation or the Smart Heating system. Car wash alarms are a very important area that needs to be watched. We also recommend analysing the alarm history, as it contains valuable information about what has happened on site.

Alarms can be monitored remotely once the car wash is connected to the internet, by logging in to cm.bkf.pl, where you have access not only to financial data but also to alarms.

What should we do if an alarm occurs at our car wash?

There are three options in such a situation.

Use the extensive knowledge base available in Carwash Manager.
Contact BKF service and try to solve the problem remotely.
In the event of a serious failure, a visit from a service technician will be necessary.

The most common alarms in winter

One of the more frequent alarms is a circulation failure. If the car wash software is up to date, the system can switch from automatic mode to open circulation via the solenoid valves, so the car wash stays protected with mains water.

If the car wash is equipped with Smart Heating, any irregularities are reported to the controller. In newer car washes the boiler can also be connected to the controller, so its operating parameters can be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Running a car wash in frost – the consequences

Some car wash owners decide to keep their business running in winter as well. However, remember that in severe frost this can bring more losses than profits.

Frozen equipment

Car wash components such as water hoses, nozzles and wash tips are exposed to freezing at sub-zero temperatures. This can cause damage, stiff hoses and even permanent destruction.

Freezing bodywork

The second common problem is water freezing on the paintwork. When water at a positive temperature comes into contact with very cold paint, micro-cracks or damage to the coating can appear. That is why it is worth informing customers about the rules for using the car wash in winter and temporarily closing the bays below the recommended temperatures.