Owners generally want what’s best for their car, even if it means paying a little extra. Most drivers have a basic understanding of maintenance they should never skimp on, such as oil changes, battery checks, and tire inspections. But what about services like a car wash? Does it actually make a difference if you choose the most expensive tier? That’s what TikTok creator Zoe (@zoeechantal444) wants to know. "Can somebody who works at a car wash, or who has worked at a car wash, tell me how you know that I paid for premium, and the person next to me, let's say we're zipping in line, paid for basic?" she asked in the video. She wonders whether the wash differs if it is priced higher. "How does the machine know that I'm getting the premium wash?" she asks. "Am I just paying more for the same car wash?" "Seriously though… how does it know?" she asked again in the video’s caption. People offered various explanations in comments on her post. "The one by my house has little stickers that go on your windshield with chips in them that I’m assuming gets scanned as you drive up," one commenter shared. Zoe responded, saying, "Interesting! Mine definitely does not do this lol." "It's programmed into the system when you select it, and the car goes through the system," another wrote. A third commenter said their location uses license plates as identification. "The one next to me, they go by license plate and it scans before you drive in and changes the wash," they shared. What Systems Do Car Washes Use to Identify Tier Selection? There are many software solutions for car washes that streamline this process, as commentors noted. There’s license-plate recognition, which, as the name suggests, reads a vehicle’s plate and links it to the car wash system. Then there are radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags that car washes provide to customers. A scanner then reads it as the vehicle enters the wash cycle. Some car washes also use digital POS systems, software that links license plates, membership accounts, RFID tags, and more to customer purchases, completely automating the process. Is It Worth Paying Extra For A Premium Car Wash? Cleaning your car isn’t just about cosmetics. Regular washing keeps your vehicle’s finish intact. If a car accumulates excessive road grit and residue over time, it can cause paint damage and corrosion. As for wash tiers, the standard, mid-range, and premium options do differ. A standard wash typically includes a basic wash and a dry, which is perfectly acceptable in most cases. The mid-range, on the other hand, typically includes additional services, such as undercarriage cleaning. Consumer Reports advises that drivers don’t need to pick this option every time they wash their cars. Instead, they recommend opting for it at least once per season, more often if you’ve accumulated dirt, grime, or driven in snowy conditions. With premium washes, car owners are usually looking at a surface treatment such as spray-on wax. Experts at Consumer Reports state that these treatments are primarily cosmetic, helping prevent water spots when drying, for example. Motor1 has reached out to Zoe via email to request a comment. We’ll update this article if we hear back. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team