Arbor Car Wash & Lube Center

The car wash was fast and seemed good (see below) but they scratched up the top of our car. Its less than a year old. They tried to tell me that no other cars had scratches, which is not really my problem. Hoping a manager will follow up, because this is ridiculous…
Edit: an hour later i found old dried up bird shit from a week ago still on my car door. I take back what i said about the wash being good.

Again with the transmission fluid scam! Every six months, I bring my car here for a synthetic oil change and every six months they try to sell me a transmission «flush». This time, the lube technician wanted to argue with me. I told him the car has been checked out by a transmission specialist and my own personal mechanic and both state there was nothing wrong with the transmission, the color of the fluid is consistent with the age of the vehicle, and a transmission should never be «flushed.» «Tito» didn’t want to listen to reason and continued with his sales pitch (after stating he wasn’t trying to sell me anything). He also said the transmission fluid shouldn’t be changed yearly – but couldn’t explain why Arbor’s techs recommend this to me every six months. I told him to put a note on my account to keep the techs from making this pitch again; he said he couldn’t, they were required to do this or they’d get in trouble. So, I won’t be coming back to this or any other Arbor car wash.

Went in for a wash and wax and paid for both. My car was returned to me still dirty and unwaxed. I went back in and talked to the clerk, who said she’d fix it – but all they did was run the car though again and wipe down the areas the auto wash missed — no wax. You shouldn’t have to hold a businesses feet to the fire to get a service you paid for.

Awful car wash. Car was left so streaky, almost need to get it washed again. Waited 40 minutes for car to be done.

I can’t even begin to describe what a crappy experience I had here today. First of all, they had me wait for an hour and 10 minutes for something I was told would be 35 minutes. Apparently when they are done with your car they «go inside and say your name» and completely ignore the customers in several of THEIR outside sitting areas that will not hear them inside (no intercom, no one coming out to say your vehicle name).
That part was frustrating but what ended up being worse was when I got back to work and got something from the back I saw they had COMPLETELY ignored the back inside of my little SUV — windows with dog nose prints all over them, the vinyl which had mud on it, everything except the back door window– that one back window part they DID do looked great — everything else looked the same as when I brought it to them to get the waterworks package plus inside detail (an extra $ 40). So then I walked around the outside of the car, because if I got the same wipe down treatment I saw all the other cars get in the hour and ten minutes I was there, surely it had to look great!
Nope!
Smudges and marks STILL ALL OVER the outside of the car, and it wasn’t like they were stubborn ones — easily removed marks/​spots/​etc still there. The rims look good, and my seats are SOAKING WET with something that is burning my eyes, even though there are still some stains on them and the doors that were also supposedly cleaned.
I’m wondering exactly what DID I just pay $ 54.95 for? So I called them and the guy was immediately apologetic and asked if I can come BACK for them to fix it? Uh, no? It couldn’t be done in the HOUR AND TEN MINUTES you had my car sitting there?
He offered another car wash, but if the first one I’ve ever gotten from Arbor Car Wash came back looking mostly like it did when I brought it to them, then you might understand my hesitation.
The rims DO look good… not $ 54.95 good, but pretty good.

I’ve lived in Austin for 8 years and this is the only place I’ll take my car moving forward. Desmond at the lube and inspection center is so helpful and informative. I trust his advice 100% and truly believe he cares about each of his customers. The car washes are amazing — with two dogs that shed and drag in mud into my car, these folks do an amazing job transforming the inside and outside of my car. Thank you so much, Arbor Car Wash!

Not bad– cleaning staff is very grumpy but eh very average cleaning…

Great job, !!! Car wash only, though! Any other feedback on the lube center???

Got a basic car wash. My car was in need of some TLC!!! They did an awesome job! Quick and clean!

5 stars for the car wash, 1 star for the Lube Center, so I’ll give them 3 overall.
Firstly the car wash, I’ll often bring my car for a thorough clean, and hang out at the excellent Hopfields next door, they have great brunch on the weekends. No complaints about the car wash.
I’ve had one very bad experience with the Lube Center, and one not so bad but which left me feeling a little conned.
I asked them to change the battery of my car (a 2007 Lexus), and do the annual smog check, which they were happy to do.
An hour later they call me, apparently they had (foolishly, it turns out) replaced the battery first, which screwed up the computer somehow resulting in them being unable to do the smog check, and even worse, most of the electronics in the car wouldn’t work, including the A/​C.
I later discovered that they should have connected an alternate power supply while they replaced them battery, I have a hard time seeing how they couldn’t have known this. I later brought my car to «Batteries Plus», and they were well aware that this was necessary and had the requisite equipment to do it.
I had to bring my car to the dealership to get the electronics sorted out, which cost several hundred $$$ if I recall correctly.
More recently I was getting my car washed, and it was due for an oil change. I opted for the basic oil change, I think it was around $ 40. Then the guy said that he didn’t think it was safe to use «non-​synthetic» oil in a Lexus, and he persuaded me to go for the $ 80 oil change. I felt like I was being upsold but short of calling Lexus to verify that the cheaper oil was ok, I went along with it.
A few minutes later (I was just tucking into my Eggs Benedict at Hopfields) I get another call, they wanted to flush out the system because apparently the oil was very dirty (not sure why, it wasn’t overdue for an oil change), that was another $ 40 or so.
Oh, and the one thing I asked them to do was to reset the oil change warning light, he assured me they would do this. Surprise! They didn’t (fortunately I found a youtube video that explained how to do it).
While it’s possible that these upsells were legitimate, I was pretty suspicious, and given my previous experience of their incompetence with changing my battery, I had little reason to trust them.

I understand there were a couple legitimate issues leading to bad reviews below, but it kinda seems like a lot of bad reviews are just whiny. Arbor didn’t blow my socks off or anything, but I had a good experience getting a car wash there, and I really think they don’t deserve (most) of the bad reviews.
I showed up at about 12:20 on a Thursday to get a car wash, and immediately the guy let me know I had a ton of really dried on crud on my hood, so they might not be able to get it all off (I park under a pecan tree/​squirrel hotel, so I was totally aware of this.) I let the guy know I just wanted a basic wash and they should just do the best they can with the hood.
He asked if I wanted to add on tire cleaning and I said no. (That was the extent of the «hassling and upselling» some people refer to below. If you can’t handle one question, you probably need to calm down!)
My car was done in about 15 or 20 mins. They were able to get most of the crap off my car’s hood, and the inside looked really good too (they wiped it down and vacuumed the floor and seats.)
Bottom line: for 16-​ish bucks, I think they did a great job and I would absolutely return.

This is a disappointing wash experience. Very cold greeting, no personality offered., I watched the car ahead of me go into the wash tunnel virtually dry. I should have left then. I asked then to put more water on my car before going into the tunnel, he said they couldn’t do that because of the special chemicals they use, only problem with this is they were only being sprayed on half the car. The guy with the broom did only one side of the car. The waiting area was full but nothing was urgent here. The facility is old, tattered and uncomfortable. The only bright spot in the whole experience was the person behind the cashier stand. She was very kind and personable.
BTW, there was still bird poop in the center of my hood, on the window door frames and bugs on the front of the car probably because there wasn’t enough moisture in the wash to get them off and the broom fancy chemical guy didn’t do his job.

Arbor, what happened to you???
This used to be my go-​to place. Free bottled water. Not phenomenal, but consistently pretty good wash job, and no bait and switch like the place I used to go to on Burnet.
So the first issue was back in June, when they stole all the quarters out of the change holder in by center console. Then the past four times I’ve gone, I’ve gotten the hard sell to upgrade to a $ 60 wash. Two of these times even though I asked for a «basic wash, that’s it» I got up to the register and found they had written something more expensive down. They were super nice and changed it, but as I’ve told them in person this new hard sell/​bait and switch approach is no bueno.
I hope someone over there realizes that they are driving loyal customers away, and goes back to their previous low key approach fast.

I just went to wash my car in the afternoon today. My car is «almost» clean! Almost means My car still has some dirty on it… But it was very quick, almost clean, shiny and the workers are friendly.(it’s embarrassing… my car was soooo dirty before wash). So, totally, it was fine service for me!

Don’t ask questions or you’ll regret it!
I paid 15.95 for the Waterworks (basic wash).
According to their website Waterworks includes: wash and dry, vacuum, windows, doorjams, dust dash, console, door panels, ashtrays.
I drove off after tipping the supervisor 4 bucks, but 2 minutes after leaving I found dust/​dirt in my door panel and console (basically the inside hadn’t been cleaned AT ALL). I went back to Arbor Cash Wash and kindly asked the first worker I saw, to clean these areas. The attendant went inside to get the supervisor (I didn’t think this was necessary, I just wanted the dirt wiped off the interior)… but six workers (including the cashier) came outside in gang form (snarling and staring me down)… One workers wiped the console (no soap), then looked up at me and snarled, «is that better?» I left unsatisfied and feeling mobbed and scared… DON’T go here. Someone must really treat these workers bad for them to have mobbed me this way.
You’re better off paying $ 6 at Chevron vs. paying $ 15.95 for Waterworks.

The car wash employees I give a bug positive recommendation with the sincere hope they find a better place to work before long.
But the guys who sign you in and explain the different offerings and how long it will take, price etc. should be working as ticket scalpers or three card monte dealers. I was told the wax and buff (not cheap by any means) would be done in an hour and a half. I’m pressed for time do I ask is he SURE. He says Hour 45 mins at the outside, that they are really good. At the hour 45 min mark I ask the worker instead if the shill out front. He says he needs another
20 minutes and like the rest of the help he seems very nice and hardworking.
So after a little more than 2 hours I’m released. If you need a wash it’s ok but order anything else at your peril.

I called these guys 45 minutes before closing on a thursday night. I had to drive clients in my car the following morning, and I had just returned from a road trip in it– it looked TERRIBLE! I told them I was in a pinch, and they told me to bring it in i HAD «THE WORKS» — FULL DETAILING INSIDE AND OUT, CARPETS AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANED–
I think 4 of them stayed half an hour past closing, and my car was the last to come out– well they cut no corners. It looked and smelled like a new car! I was proud to drive my clients the next morning.

A decent car wash made unenjoyable by the pushy service guy who, on my last three trips, began by insulting my car. «This thing is filthy! You sure you don’t want the upgrade?» Or «Look at those disgusting seats. Sure you don’t want the upgrade?»
No, dude, I don’t. Back off.
Then there was the guy who’s job consisted of stomping around the place cursing.
Or the counter girl, who couldn’t be bothered to use words or noises to indicate her acknowledgment of people or things.
When did customer service turn to such shit?
I’ll be spending my money elsewhere from now on.

I have some pesky birds in a tree by my house that enjoy giving me a hard time so I came in this morning for a quick wash. For $ 10 I was just going to have the exterior and tires taken care of.
The attendant that dealt with me was kind and explained my options in detail. After my wash I walked into the lobby to pay and was startled by a manager (I think it was a manager) yelling at an employee. Once the manager noticed I was in the room he stopped immediately, he apologized and his associate dealt with me kindly. Its a car-​wash, certainly not the nicest place ever but they did a decent job. My car is clean.
Car Wash ⁴⁄₅: missed some spots in back of car, but for $ 10 bucks, I’ll deal
Customer Service ³⁄₅: No customer wants to walk into a hostile environment. (though the issue was solved quickly)
This location is right by my office, so I am sure I will find myself here again.

Yes, They are bad pretty bad,
For a car wash of $ 12, the wash was pretty good, they did a pretty bad job at drying and cleaning some areas under the car spoiler etc.
I wouldn’t go here unless there is an emergency.
I think this is probably closest car wash to UT campus. and that’s why probably they are still open.