Carl’s Wash, Lubritorium and Service Center

This review is only for the car wash. I’ve taken my car here a few times for a quick wash when I’m too lazy to wash it at home. The car washes range from $ 6.99 to $ 14.99 + $ 2.99 if you want to add the hot wax. The staff is pretty helpful and it’s a drive-​in car wash. Of course, nothing beats hand washing your car, but if you’re in a rush to give your car a quick wash and rinse, this is your place to go. Also, there is a self-​serve vacuum after getting your car washed which is a big plus. Would definitely come back again!

I have now taken my car (Oscar, my mighty 11-​plus year old steed, to those of you that know him) here several times and they haven’t disappointed. I have accomplished the oil change with time left to wash and vacuum the car during my lunch hour because they are as quick as you’d hope they would be. Met the owner once during a visit and he was adamant that he was training up his son to carry the torch and take it over. I think that change has happened, and there is non problems with their service. They make simple recommendations (filters, wipers etc if required), but don’t get a bee in their bonnet if you politely refuse. I know I will continue to be a loyal customer here for sure.

This place is awesome. Very professional staff and clean shop. Got tires and alignment done at a very reasonable price and quality service. Highly recommend this place to anyone who needs service.

Took my wife’s car here for a wheel alignment and was confronted with a $ 250 bill for simply a bent sway bar end link, something that wouldn’t effect steering. They wouldn’t show me the digital analysis of the wheel alignment after it was on the machine and still told me the work had to be done. This is a typical first time mechanic shop where they try to bleed your wallet without even as much as a kind smile.
Decent car wash for the price but avoid the shop unless you’re desperate.

This review is for the service section only. I needed an inspection and after checking my normal repair shops and being told the waiting times were 3 to 4 hours I turned to Unilocal and came across this place. I called about 1:30 asked about the wait time, they said they had 1 car ahead of me. When I arrived I was told the wait would be 1 hour (takes 30 minutes per car). Two and half hours later the inspector, who is rude, says they need to change my bulbs. He comes back, now after 4:00, and says my socket isn’t working but they don’t have time to look at it. I looked at the door with the hours posted and it said they were open until 7pm. Why couldn’t they look at a light socket in 3 hours?
Anyway, they failed my car and I was annoyed, more so because of the wait I already endured and the fact that they couldn’t explain why they were open for 3 more hours but couldn’t look at the harness to find the short. The awful inspector gave me some serious attitude when I went to pay. He was yelling at me to the point that I asked him why was he was so nasty? I have never been treated so poorly by a repair shop. When I left he was in the garage laughing with the manager.
Make a long story short, avoid this place. They are dishonest, lazy, unprofessional rude. You have to pass a number of places to get here, stop at one of the other places and avoid an awful experience. I took my car to a repair shop 5 minutes away. They fixed my light and in inspected my car all before 6pm. Go figure.

A tad pricey, but quick friendly service in a convenient location. This is my go to place for regular oil changes. However, for repairs, I tried to get some done, but they didn’t have the parts to do the repairs, were pricey on the quote ($ 323), and it was very difficult trying to schedule the work with them unless I left the car. Got the work done elsewhere same day in 2 hours for $ 191. The signage in the store promises deals and discounts for FB likes and Unilocal reviews, but when I did, no discount was given.

DON’T BRING YOUR CAR HERE!
I thought since Unilocal had four stars on this place it must be nice, I was very mislead. Yes, they are a drive in car wash, but you should warn people it is going to break the antenna on your hatchback scion. The wash was okay, not enough to warrant breaking my antenna, and then they give you one baby wipe sized moist towelette to wipe your car out with. The vacuums didn’t work very well, I tried two different areas, and the car mat cleaner did nothing. I had to bring them back and vacuum them out in my car. Sure it’s only a $ 15 dollar car wash but if you ask me, just go to a «do it yourself» car wash, it will look better and services probably work better. Take the money you would have spent here and make sure it is done right, heck you might even save money.

I love that these guys are fast and professional. They make suggestions but aren’t pushy at all. Thanks guys! Will be back for sure!

Great price, less than $ 10 for a wash and you get free use of the vacuum at the end of the wash. Very friendly and courteous employees. I will definitely be back!

I got a state inspection and their most expensive car wash combined for less than $ 30 on special. Best car wash in town quick easy to use three vacuums and they even have this incredible machine that cleans your floor mats in seconds.

A ride through car wash that can actually get the brake dust off the wheels of a VW? I am impressed.
My car is black so you know it is hard to keep clean. It came out the other side looking good.
The staff was really friendly and got me through quick.
The free vacuums work quite well and are easy to pull into.
I will be back.

Excellent work and customer service! I have been taking my car to Carl’s since the Lubritorium, and recently for routine/​non-​routine, and high mileage maintenance (engine gaskets, motor mounts, sensors). I have been a 3 year customer, and will continue to only service my car at Carl’s, based on their work and service. Best customer service in the Chesapeake VA area.

Originally I liked this place. I purchased a quick car wash and then bought a gift car for Mother’s Day and my mom liked it too. UNTIL my last experience this past Sunday, 9÷21÷2014. I came for a quick car wash again, the 2 ladies were very polite, 1 guided me onto the machine as expected, and everything was fine until I put my car in drive and pulled off to the vacuum section where I noticed my tire was FLAT! In complete shock, I notified the 2 ladies that something happened (in a calm manner because mistakes do happen) and they informed their co-​workers. The gentleman came outside and informed me that it appears that my air valve stem was broke and offered to put air in my tire. He then informed me of a few tire shops near by but did NOT mention reimbursing me the cost of the damages clearly caused by their machine! Of course I was outraged (internally) remained calm and placed a call to Merchants who were very helpful.
Overall, I was very disappointed in their lack of caring about my entire tire being flat when I clearly drove up with 4 perfectly fine tires, and left with a whole new flat one. After arriving to Merchants they informed me that my tire sensor was indeed broke and would need to be replaced. Since this place was of ABSOLUTELY NO assistance with my approximately $ 2 and $ 20 labor valve I didn’t even bother trying to get them involved with the sensor, but I absolutely refuse to let this go unknown. It was poorly handled and I felt like as a person more could have been done, then as a business who was responsible for the damage more should have been done! I have informed my friends of my experience and expressed my dislike in this establishment! Needless to say I will not be going back to that place ever again!

We were looking for a really good car wash when Unilocal revealed this place. It was 30 minutes away from us but, we love our car so driving the distance was not an issue.
When you first pull up there’s a bucket for a bug wash/​presoak that’s DIY. We went straight for the wash where we could choose between three options. We chose the most expensive wash for its hot wax. The cost for this was $ 16.98 but then we found out that military personnel receive $ 5 off the $ 16.98 service only. Bonus! A total score! In addition to this we were offered a dashboard cleaning prepackaged towelette. After the auto wash there’s a station for cleaning floor mats before the free vacuum section.
Overall, really good experience and military friendly establishments are always a plus! Highly recommend!

Quick, professional, and clean. This place is not a chain and is the only one of its kind, but well worth the effort to get here. Very professional. You can watch your car from the waiting room. High power vacuums, car wash, and understandable prices. They have plans on expanding and adding state inspections in the near future. They did the oil change and check over, as well as checked the code for the check engine light that had turned on the other day. Nice to have it all done in one place– and quickly. They let us know what the issue was and gave us a quote, letting us know the problem without a high pressure sales pitch. The mechanic patently answered my wife’s questions and concerns. Would likely go there again for future service needs– would be nice if they were closer to home though.
They also mentioned they would price match other quotes for service.

I’ve been going to what used to be call «The Lubritorium» since they first opened for business almost a decade ago. What kept my business there is the fast service and professionalism. Usually takes no more than 20min in and out, w the interior fully vacummed and all my fluids topped off. Their technician even keeps track of my service record and keep me reminded on any future maintenance. My only gripe is their free mat machine, mine got stuck a couple times in it but the guy got it out quickly. So far still a happy customer!

I have been taking my taking my 2001 Toyota Avalon to this place for many years now, so I have been remiss in not providing it a review. It used to be simply called the Lubritorium, but now they’ve teamed up with Carl’s wash and provide not only an oil change, and a very good automated car wash service, but also full car service options. If you don’t like getting your hands dirty or you don’t have time to pick up a wrench and do it yourself, I highly recommend these people. They don’t try to hard sell you or upgrade your service issues. I choose to give them 5 stars because not only have they been honest and good to me, but when I’ve needed help with service records or ask for recommendations, they provide it. Their service is excellent! If I were to make any criticism, it would be to provide a more relaxing/​useful customer lounge, but that’s pretty much true of most any automobile repair/​maintenance location (except some of the new dealerships). I have tried multiple service shops and dealerships, but I don’t think I would trust car maintenance to anyone else at this point. They also have one my favorite signs that sums up how they treat people: «Be nice or go away!»

They have 3 price tiers. I forgot what they called them, but there was a basic wash for about $ 5. The mid price was about $ 9 and included tire scrub and under carriage wash. There was a $ 14 with the works, as well. I asked the attendant which one should I get to get rid of all the salt after the recent snow, and he suggested the mid price one. You also get to use their vacuums for free with car wash. There are hoses on both sides of the stall, so you don’t have to crawl around trying to stretch the hose at odd angles. It’s automated, so you just drive onto the track, put the car in neutral and the conveyor pulls you through. Easy peasy! They also do oil changes, etc. I just found coupons on their website, too!

I have been taking my car to the Lubritorium for oil changes and maintenance for years.
Went in on Sunday for an oil change and I wanted to have someone look at my alignment. To my surprise my service came with a free car wash! The car wash was great. It took a few minutes and I was on my way. Clean car, new oil, and it drives straight! Couldn’t be happier.