In Episode 2 of ICA’s Car Wash Exchange (formerly Conversations with ICA), host Kendra Johnson talks with Tim Hinder (Industry Marketing Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Automation) about how automation and controls help operators keep the whole system running smoothly in 2026.
A note on tone and complexity: This episode goes a bit more “under the hood” than usual. The copy and interview below includes a gentle heads-up for audiences who are not deeply technical, while still respecting the engineering and control topics covered.
From the driver’s seat, a wash is effortless: pull in, glide through, pull out, shine. For operators, it’s a coordinated system running in a wet, abrasive environment where downtime hits revenue and reputation.
A key takeaway: a car wash isn’t one machine. It’s multiple sub-systems—conveyor, pumps, blowers, chemistry delivery, doors, pay station—working in sequence. When those pieces communicate, small variances stay small. When they don’t, a minor drift can cascade into rewash complaints, chemical waste, or a shutdown.
That’s why “control” is an operating advantage, not a feature checklist. Better control can mean smoother motor starts, steadier pressure and flow, repeatable wash quality, and clearer diagnostics when something moves out of spec. The goal isn’t complexity—it’s fewer surprises and faster fixes.
A little “alphabet soup” goes a long way:VFDs (variable frequency drives) regulate motor speed and torque, reducing stress and improving consistency.
IGBTs, key components in power electronics, influence performance, heat, and long-term reliability.
Operators are also swimming in data. The win isn’t more dashboards—it’s a tighter loop from signal to decision to action tied to outcomes like uptime, throughput, wash quality, chemical usage, and labor efficiency.
AI and predictive maintenance can help, but only after the fundamentals are in place: consistent controls, reliable instrumentation and connectivity, and clear response plans.
Next steps: map your sub-systems, prioritize integration in upgrades and new builds, and get “technical enough” to ask better questions—and buy smarter—starting today. See industry innovations at The Car Wash Show, May 11-13, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.
📺 Watch the full conversation below.
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Car Wash Exchange | 2026 season, episode 2