| Scenario | Minutes | Add-ons | Travel km | Tax % | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick rinse | 6 | None | 0 | 0 | $3.00 |
| Basic wash | 10 | Spot-free rinse | 2 | 5 | $8.51 |
| Full tidy | 14 | Vacuum + Wax + Tire | 4 | 8 | $17.82 |
These examples are illustrative. Your station’s pricing may differ.
- Time Cost = Minutes × Price per minute
- Travel Cost = Travel distance × Cost per km
- Subtotal = Start fee + Time Cost + Add-ons + Supplies + Travel Cost
- Discount = Subtotal × (Discount % / 100)
- After Discount = Subtotal − Discount
- Tax = After Discount × (Tax % / 100)
- Total per wash = After Discount + Tax
- Monthly estimate = Total per wash × Washes per month
- Enter your wash time and the station’s per-minute price.
- Add any start fee if your bay requires one.
- Select add-ons you usually purchase, then enter their costs.
- Include supplies and optional travel costs for a full picture.
- Set discount and tax if they apply to your payment.
- Choose washes per month to estimate your monthly spending.
- Click calculate, then export CSV or PDF if needed.
1) Why include travel cost for a wash?
Travel fuel and wear can be real costs. Adding distance helps compare nearby bays versus farther ones with lower pricing or better equipment.
2) What should I put for cost per km?
Use a simple estimate based on fuel price and your car’s economy. If unsure, start with a small value and adjust after tracking a few trips.
3) My station charges by tokens, not minutes. What do I do?
Convert tokens to minutes by timing one token cycle. Then enter the equivalent minutes and the effective per-minute price from your token cost.
4) How do I handle prices that already include tax?
Set the tax percent to zero. If only some parts are taxed, approximate by using a lower tax value or by adding tax into add-on prices.
5) Does “supplies cost” include water at home?
It is flexible. Use it for towels, sprays, or coins you bring. If you pre-rinse at home, add a small amount for water and detergent.
6) How can I estimate a membership discount?
Use your average savings percentage. For example, if you spend 100 and save 10, enter 10%. This keeps results consistent across different wash choices.
7) What if I sometimes add more minutes mid-wash?
Enter your typical total minutes per visit, not the starting amount. Tracking two or three visits with a timer will quickly improve accuracy.
8) Can I compare two stations with this tool?
Yes. Run the calculator twice with each station’s pricing and your usual add-ons. Export both CSV files to compare totals side by side.