Car Washes
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in cleaning, washing, and/or waxing automotive vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, and vans, and trailers. Illustrative Examples: Automotive detail shops Mobile car and truck washes Car washes Self-service car washes
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Other Services (except Public Administration) sector comprises establishments engaged in providing services not specifically provided for elsewhere in the classification system. Establishments in this sector are primarily engaged in activities such as equipment and machinery repairing, promoting or administering religious activities, grantmaking, advocacy, and providing drycleaning and laundry services, personal care services, death care services, pet care (except veterinary) services, photofinishing services, temporary parking services, and dating services. Private households that engage in employing workers on or about the premises in activities primarily concerned with the operation of the household are included in this sector. Excluded from this sector are establishments primarily engaged in retailing new equipment and also performing repairs and general maintenance on equipment. These establishments are classified in Sector 44-45, Retail Trade. |
| 811 | Repair and Maintenance 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Repair and Maintenance subsector restore machinery, equipment, and other products to working order. These establishments also typically provide general or routine maintenance (i.e., servicing) on such products to ensure they work efficiently and to prevent breakdown and unnecessary repairs. The NAICS structure for this subsector brings together most types of repair and maintenance establishments and categorizes them based on production processes (i.e., on the type of repair and maintenance activity performed, and the necessary skills, expertise, and processes that are found in different repair and maintenance establishments). This NAICS classification does not delineate between repair services provided to businesses versus those that serve households. Although some industries primarily serve either businesses or households, separation by class of customer is limited by the fact that many establishments serve both. Establishments repairing computers and consumer electronics products are two examples of such overlap. The Repair and Maintenance subsector does not include all establishments that do repair and maintenance. For example, a substantial amount of repair is done by establishments that also manufacture machinery, equipment, and other goods. These establishments are included in the Manufacturing sector in NAICS. In addition, repair of transportation equipment is often provided by or based at transportation facilities, such as airports and seaports, and these activities are included in the Transportation and Warehousing sector. A particularly unique situation exists with repair of buildings. Plumbing, electrical installation and repair, painting and decorating, and other construction-related establishments are often involved in performing installation or other work on new construction as well as providing repair services on existing structures. While some specialize in repair, it is difficult to distinguish between the two types and all are included in the Construction sector. Excluded from this subsector are establishments primarily engaged in rebuilding or remanufacturing machinery and equipment. These are classified in Sector 31-33, Manufacturing. Also excluded are retail establishments that provide after-sale services and repair. These are classified in Sector 44-45, Retail Trade. |
| 8111 | Automotive Repair and Maintenance 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments involved in providing repair and maintenance services for automotive vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, and vans, and all trailers. Establishments in this industry group employ mechanics with specialized technical skills to diagnose and repair the mechanical and electrical systems for automotive vehicles, repair automotive interiors, and paint or repair automotive exteriors. |
| 81119 | Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing automotive repair and maintenance services (except mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance and body, paint, interior, and glass repair) for automotive vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, and vans, and all trailers. Illustrative Examples: Automotive air-conditioning repair shops Automotive tire repair (except retreading) shops Automotive oil change and lubrication shops Car washes Automotive rustproofing and undercoating shops |
| 811192 | Car Washes 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in cleaning, washing, and/or waxing automotive vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, and vans, and trailers. Illustrative Examples: Automotive detail shops Mobile car and truck washes Car washes Self-service car washes |
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Index Items
Automotive detail shops
Automotive detailing services (i.e., cleaning, polishing)
Automotive washing and polishing
Car detailers
Car washes
Detailing services (i.e., cleaning and polishing), automotive
Mobile car and truck washes
Self-service car washes
Truck and bus washes
How Item Can Help
Car Washes can optimize their fleet by tracking individual vehicle locations and status in real-time, ensuring efficient scheduling of wash bays and reducing idle time for equipment.
This tool automates the booking workflow by accepting online reservations, managing walk-in clients dynamically, and handling payment processing to maximize occupancy rates.
Logistics providers use this to coordinate the delivery of high-volume consumables like water, soap, and detergents to locations with remote or multiple station setups.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 811192.
National Car Wash Association
A leading global trade association providing education, research, and advocacy for the mobile and independent car wash industry.
U.S. EPA Car Wash Discharge Guidance
Official government resources offering guidelines and permits for managing automotive fluids and preventing waterway contamination.
Car Wash Industry Directory
A comprehensive online directory listing businesses offering car wash services including mobile operators and full-service stations.
