What are the best options when taking my car to a car wash?

1. Dont use the brush. Or if you insist on using the brush, powerwash it first. Why? The brush has can have rocks in it which will scratch paint.

2. Clear coat protectant is a myth. Not necessary. Waste of money. Dont need it.

3. Use just hand wax it. Makes it shinier. Use Maguiars. Spray on wax dont make it that shiny. Plus its sexy for a girl to hand wax a car.

4. And if be sure to tell them NOT TO USE THAT DAMN BRUSH. If you are driving something older than 1984, it the brush could reveal oxidation on the paint. Which can be frustrating to buff out. But again, use Maguiars to remove all paint oxidation.

5. Last but not least, stay away from Armorall for any rubber, vinyl, or leather. It contains silicon which hardens vinyl and leather and cause it to dry out and crack faster. Plus you have to keep using it to keep the surfaces moist. No bueno. Use Mothers or Maguiars or something. Something which doesnt have silicone.

Go to a touchless car wash to avoid the paint from getting marred.

Don't, at least not the mechanical automatic ones. They just scratch and do a poor job as well.

Pick one where they do it all by hand, don't leave anything valuable laying around in the car.

I only know of two reasonable ones. Drive it or haul it on a trailer. You could have a tow truck tow it there, I guess.

Wait until it's not freezing.

You sound pretty LAZY and are looking for the easiest way out, i bet you dont take care of a vehicle very good and are going to ONLY go to a car wash where you can stay in the vehicle instead of getting out and doing ANY washing by hand, which is the BEST WAY to keep one clean. so, it really doesnt matter what we say, your going to sit on it and be LAZY no matter what we say.

Don't... use household cleaning agents like hand soap, dishwashing detergent, or glass cleaner on the paint. These aren't formulated for use on a car's paint and may strip off the protective wax. Do... use a dedicated car-wash product, which is milder and specifically designed for use on automotive paint.

Closing the windows and sunroof helps

Option #3.