Car Wash

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Motor Car Wash, Car Cleaning, Fast Wash

Category

Guidance and Information, Concessions, Transportation

Message / Function

To indicate the location of a car wash

	Source	Description
	Kapitzki	Side view of two cars, one in outline, partially underneath shower head with water indicated by lines, two arrows pointing in driving direction
	Parks Canada	Side view of car underneath horizontal line and trapezoid as water source, with water indicated by lines of dots
	Michel	Side view of car underneath horizontal line and trapezoid as water source, with water indicated by lines of dots
	Dreyfuss	Front view of car showing several details underneath shower head with water indicated by lines of dots
	CNIS	Front view of car underneath shower head with water indicated by lines of dots
	Shutterstock.com	Front view of car showing several details underneath shower head with water indicated by lines of drops
	SADC	Front view of car showing several details underneath shower head with water indicated by lines of dots
	Slovenia 2015	Front view of car showing several details underneath shower head with water indicated by several lines
	O'72	Front view of car in stream of drops indicated by lines of dots
	freizeitkarte osm.de	Front view of car in stream of drops indicated by three lines
	Aicher OAP	Front view of car with brushes indicated by parallel lines, on both sides and above
	Galicia	Front view of car with brushes indicated by parallel lines, on both sides and above
	Mark Rademaker	Front view of car with brushes indicated by zigzag lines, on both sides and above
	SSRS	Side view of human figure washing car (in front view) also indicated by large drops of water, bucket in foreground

Discussion

Pictograms found frequently show a car underneath shower head with water indicated either by lines of dots or drops. The second most common concept is based on a car between several brushes. Most renderings are based on displaying a car in front view.

In our research we did not discover any test data on comprehensibility of pictograms used to indicate the location of a car wash, but we have the impression that most variants could be well comprehensible. This is confirmed by the fact that since all pictograms that failed comprehension testing in Canada have been retired from use there, and the Parks Canada pictogram No 6-2-012: Car Wash displayed above does not have the status Retired, it should have reached a comprehension rate of 60 % or higher.

Recommendations

As no data is available on comprehensibility of any of the pictograms available to indicate the location of a car wash, we suggest to conduct a Comprehension Test for several representative graphical symbols shown above. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs.