Self-service car washes in Germany label their programs and machines in German. This glossary translates the terms you'll see on the control panel and machines, and explains what each one does.
Updated:
Wash programs
German
English
What it does
Vorwäsche
Pre-wash
Soaks road film, insects and salt
Powerschaum / Aktivschaum
Power foam / snow foam
Thick foam that clings and loosens dirt
Felgenreiniger
Wheel cleaner
Dissolves brake dust
Hochdruck(reinigen)
High-pressure wash
Rinses loosened dirt; keep ≥ 30 cm distance
Schaumbürste
Foam brush
Mechanical cleaning – rinse the brush first
Klarspülen
Clear rinse
Removes detergent
Lack konservieren / Wachs
Wax / paint protection
Thin protective film
Glanzspülen / Osmose
Final rinse / osmosis water
Demineralised rinse, fewer water spots
Machines and payment
German
English
SB (Selbstbedienung)
Self-service
Waschbox / Waschplatz
Wash bay
Waschpark
Car wash site with several bays
Waschstraße
Tunnel car wash
Staubsauger / Sauger
Vacuum cleaner
Mattenreiniger
Car mat washer
Trockner / Trockengebläse
Dryer / air blower
Druckluft
Compressed air
Reifenfüller / Luftdruck
Tyre inflator / tyre pressure
Wertmarke / Token
Token
Münzen / Scheine
Coins / banknotes
Kartenzahlung / kontaktlos
Card payment / contactless
Restzeit / Guthaben
Remaining time / credit
Kein Wechselgeld
No change given
Störung
Malfunction
Signs you'll see
Sign (German)
Meaning
Achtung! Kein Wechselgeld
Attention – no change given
Rote LED leuchtet: Produkt nicht verfügbar
Red light: product not available
Nach Programmwahl Tuch entnehmen
Take the cloth after selecting the program
Nicht auf Personen richten
Do not point at people
Box freihalten / Box nach dem Waschen verlassen
Keep the bay free / leave the bay after washing
Eimerwäsche nur, wenn niemand wartet
Bucket washing only when nobody is waiting
Typical order of programs
Vorwäsche/Powerschaum → Felgenreiniger → Hochdruck → (Schaumbürste) → Klarspülen → Wachs → Glanzspülen → dry. In English: pre-wash, wheel cleaner, high pressure, optional brush, clear rinse, wax, final rinse, then dry off the bay.