Used a coupon for $2 off, so my $9 wash was supposed to be $7 according to the digital screen at the car wash. But my card was charged $10.

I am a total HANDS-OFF type of person with my car -- I barely drive, filling up the tank once a month at most (lucky me, with gas prices the way they are). So I very seldom get my car washed, and when I do, I want it to be hassle free. That said, $3 for the automatic car wash was a total rip-off. Another reviewer said 5 minutes? It sure didn't feel like it. I might as well have run my car through the evening sprinklers on Sacramento for how much good it did. But oddly enough, $5 for the "double" wash and rinse actually felt like it was worth the money. So if you're going for an automatic car wash, I actually recommend the upgrade -- otherwise you're really much better off stepping out of the car and doing it on your own. read more

While not perfect, I have been happy with this wash since the Berkeley Touchless closed. I am able to get my car nice and clean there. Nothing fancy but it does the job. read more

I was verbally accosted by one of the attendants after asking a car how much longer they would be at the vacuums when they were just sitting in their car and doing nothing. Before I left the attendant asked if I was American, which I don't know if they were about to question my citizenship status or rationalize why I would be asking someone how much longer they would be. Overall a negative experience and I will be looking for other options in the area. read more

I used my debit card to vacum my card started off at 5 min at about 3:56 Vaccum turned off I asked the O.g by the name of Anthony to assist me he told me to call 1888 number I said no bigger slid my card again as Im Vacuuming Anthony is Videoing me while bent over in my car another customer made me aware I have left a message on the owner machine and currently waiting for B.p.d to file a complaint I'm 9 months pregnant and just wanted to wash my car now my day is messed up because of the NASTY OLD ***** read more

Solar Car Wash - Nasty Old Man! - Car Wash Near Me - Berkeley, California

Chris was a great help to me when my card didn't scan! Super helpful & nice guy. Thanks Chris! I love the convenience of this car wash! read more

Solar Car Wash - Chris was great assisting when the scanner didn't read my card! Thanks so much Chris!!! - Car Wash Near Me - Berkeley, California

I had a great experience at Solar Car Wash. It was quick and easy. The attendant Mr DA saw that I truly had no idea how to use the system and very kindly helped me out multiple times as I attempted to wash my car. I definitely recommend! read more

Filled with gratitude for this awesome treat I received in the mail today! My fav car wash! read more

Solar Car Wash - Car Wash Near Me - Berkeley, California

I like going here. If you hurry, you can wash your whole car for $4. If you lose your money because the equipment didn't work properly, fill out the form and it seems to work better than the phone number. The owner communicated with me and sent me the refund. The way he handled it, I have to give him a good review. read more

Horrible automatic car wash. Does not work and didn't clean anything, was out in 30 seconds. No blower installed. read more

So far this place has ripped me off twice. Last time the automatic car wash just stopped in the middle of the wash and never finished. The first time the card reader charged me twice but only one wash. I contacted the owner but no reply. read more

Excellent car wash facility if you don't mind doing it yourself. The automated service is fine, but don't expect that your very dirty will be super clean afterwards. It's pretty good, but can't replace your own elbow grease. A plus is that cards are accepted, so gone are the days you need to fight change machines at the car wash. Just make sure your card times out before you leave--otherwise the next person behind you will be washing their car on your dime. read more

Solar Car Wash - Car Wash Near Me - Berkeley, California

Be careful when using credit cards! Terrible costumer service - non-existing. I've been washing my car here for a few years. I never used my credit card until a few weeks ago. The automatic car wash machine didn't seem to recognize my card so I paid with a $20 bill. I only received $6 change when the car wash cost was $5! Moreover, I realized days later that I was charged $5 on my credit card. I left a voicemail to their costumer service line and never received a call back. I also sent an email with the same result. There used to be an attendant at all times but not anymore. The place was recently renovated but unfortunately the quality made a turn for the worse. read more

I tried swiping and tapping my credit card multiple times but it didn't work at the automatic bay.

Overall had a great experience. When I drove into the parking lot I wasn't sure if I want to wash it myself or use their auto wash. There was a older African-American male employee working there, Noticed I was unsure walked up to me and help me to determine which process Would work best for me. he was very kind and answered all my questions with sincerity. Being that my car was extremely dirty, I did the hand wash this time, But moving forward the auto wash will work just fine. read more

I was about to use vacuum today when the guy working told me that I had been there for too long that he didn't know what I was doing bcuz it had been an hour and "was my car really that dirty " not sure what his problem was but it definitely hadn't been an hour. Lost a customer. read more

I just used this place again after several times going there. They overcharged my card by $5! Beware!

It's fine. It's all working. That guy is gone. It does the job. Token based. Vacuums working. And and

It costs $3 for a 3 min self service car wash here. it ALSO costs $3 for an AUTOMATIC car wash. You dont have to do the work, and it lasts like 5 minutes. Why people participate in unnecessary manual labor is beyond me, but remember to bring your own towels, or it will cost you. A buck. Oh and the vaccums here really SUCK. Not "suck" like, ha ha, funny pun, but really. They/re old and terrible. read more

This was the first time I went to Solar car wash, I must say it was an awesome experience! I was hesitant about washing my car on my own but thanks to Chris, washing my car at the Solar Car wash was great. Chris. They have great customer service overall I will be coming again soon. read more

Warning! Do NOT GO HERE! The sign outside implies that you can wash your car here for $3. False advertising if I ever saw it. Maybe if you were the Flash, Superman, or some equally super-powered person, you could wash your car here for $3, for the rest of us it costs much more. I started out with $5, I figured if $3 is how much it normally costs to fully wash a car I could send 5 and take my time and do an extra good job. Yeah. After soaking my car in the pre-wash I busted out the brush and got half way through when my $5 ran out. I used the brush on the rest of the car, sans soap, then spent two more dollars so I could finish and rinse, which I wasn't even able to do. I had to go home, grab a bucket, and finish the job out on the street. After $7 I didn't have enough time to do a half decent wash. This place is a total rip off, anything else would be better. read more

$ 10 hold is normal, it checks the time u actually use...and gives you back $7.00 DONT WORRY,. Im a avid user of the wash.... Really good water pressure....almost dont need soap read more

If you need a quick car was this is the place to go. Rarely is there a wait. $5 gets most of the dirt off. They also offer coupons and deals if you sign up. read more

Okay, so this isn't the Ritz Carlton of car washes, but it does the job. I've been using them for a couple of years to vacuum my crappy old car, wash it when it looks too, too bad but feel motivated to write now because of an experience about a week ago. While waiting for the truck in front of me to finish up his automatic car wash, I fed three dollars into the old machine. They ate them. The car wash didn't go, just splattered my dusty windshield with soapy blotches. Called the attendant over, he couldn't do anything but suggest I call the 800 number. Anyway, long story short, the nice man on the other end of the line promised me a refund. Today, I got three tokens in the mail. Sure it shouldn't have happened in the first place. Sure the attendant should have given me a free wash right then and there. But shit happens and I just dealt with it. read more

Love this place for a quick and easy car was. it's super close to my house and the machines are never broken. Being a Lyft driver this is my go to spot for my detail needs. read more

So now I got an email from my bank stating I was charged $63 dollars for what was supposed to be a $3 car wash. This is a disaster! I would have rather it rained and wiped my car off with a diaper!!!!!!!!!!! read more

The DIY-wash was comparable to the one's I'd used in Southern California before making the move north, did the job, very affordable, water pressure was spot on, many stalls so little wait, no complaints whatsoever. However, once you pull out of the wash and move your car towards the vacuum cleaners, here's where the 4 stars comes in versus the full 5. The lot itself in the vacuum area and behind is pothole and dirt/dust central. As customers finish up and drive through, if your car's still wet, you're now the lucky owner of a fresh coat of dust. Something the owners may want to invest in is a simple repaving of that lot so this doesn't become a larger issue across their customer base. Otherwise, great experience! read more

I come here all the time. I have a small car, so I can do a soap brush and rinse for $5 which I really appreciate. I've never had a problem with equipment. Today, though, I locked my keys and everything else in the car while at the vacuum. George let me use his phone to call AAA, gave me the address before I asked, offered me places to sit, and patiently directed other customers around me while I waited. I left feeling happy instead of annoyed at my stupidity. read more

Chris helped me out and showed me how to use the stuff, thanks!!! Two big thumbs up. I used the crazy foaming soapy brush and the powaaaa washer! Soap was super effective against the amount of street dirt and mud on my car! This is a DIY car wash place, I knew that going in from reading on yelp. It's 3 bucks for the first four minutes, and one dollar for each additional minute and twenty seconds (1:20)-- all you have to do to renew time is press a lil button. I was in a hurry to get to work and wasn't sure how long it was going to take.... I worked it and got it done in 6:40. Thanks for accepting Visa, Solar Car Wash! One tip: the entrance to the car wash is on the cross street, not university ave. You can enter from uni and find the vaccuum stuff, but you'll have to go around to get your car oriented correctly to get in the wash bays. Another thing: their customer service is great. Thank you for calling me quickly and breaking down the costs for me! :) read more

Paid for the deluxe today. Wash didn't work. Didn't give me a receipt and I didn't get a refund. Basically nothing works not even the refund button on the machine. Nobody picked up my call so left a message. read more

Chris helps me out every time I come in! He's super nice and shows me how to use the stuff. The new automatic car wash is super sweet too! I plan to come back weekly. read more

I had such a great experience with the staff and equipment that I've made washing my car a fun habit, instead of a dreaded chore on my to-do list. Give it a try! read more

Last week I was vacuuming my car here and I accidentally (and regrettably) sucked up one of favorite earrings!! :( Time slowed down and I tried to grab it but it slipped right into the powerful hose. I was so upset I had a little meltdown and didn't even finish vaccuuming my car. Later that day, I made a sign and taped it to vacuum shed with my name and number and explaining the situation. A few days later, I got a call from an older gentleman who offered his assistance and gave me his schedule. Today I showed up bright and early and he was already looking for it! I brought gloves and a mask and did a little digging myself and right about when I felt like giving up, he told me it had to be there and that we WOULD find it. Listening to his optimism, we kept looking-- and we DID find it!!!! I am elated with joy now and feel so grateful for his assistance. He told me his name is Anthony and I think he deserves a raise. He went above and beyond to help me out and didn't ask for anything in return. Thank you Anthony!!! Your kindness goes a long way and you just made my whole week. read more

Solar Car Wash - My favorite earring - Car Wash Near Me - Berkeley, California

The rudest staff ever! Don't come here unless you want to be yelled at and be treated like a crime. The staff working here is absolute terrible. I wanted to use auto wash and the machine failed to recognize my card so the washing didn't start. when I was trying to swipe my card again the staff came over and started yelling at me to go out. Even if the lady after me explained that it's not my fault. The staff was still so rude and mad and kept yelling at me to go. It's absolutely insulting. No sorry and no help offered. Why the owner of this business hired someone who's so rude and offensive? Looked at the review, I'm not the first person treated like this in the last three years and regardless of all the complaints about that staff , he still works here! I guess customer experience is nothing to them! Stop coming here since you may be yelled at any time! read more

Nice spot to wash my car. Never a long line and there's someone to help you if something is wrong with machine

Best car wash i've definitely ever been to. Staff was extremely nice and respectful and answered any questions I had. My car was cleaner than it had been for at least 3 years. They for sure did the job of cleaning the car. Definitely gave them a big tip read more

Love this place ! it's a real Berkeley classic spot has been here since I was child! Both types of car wash are very reasonably priced. Easy and fast! The only thing I do suggest is that the drive-through car wash please have a drying process. It does not drive your car you have to manually drive your car with a towel. And you have to find a guy who works there for rinky dink towels. read more

Really like this place. the staff is so hardworking and friendly. Clean and spacious place. My favorite car wash. :)

This would be a great, convenient way to wash a car--but... I used a credit card, which automatically charges you $5 instead of $3 for your 4 minutes of time, whether or not you use the vacuum...and I didn't see any vacuum to use anyway...the available tools are just lying around not clearly labeled--some of them, I didn't know what they did, exactly, but it's been decades since I've been to this type of car wash. Then, I sadly had the same experience as another reviewer: they charged my credit card $10. Now, the hassle of trying to get that refunded...even if they refund it, they have wasted my time and energy. read more

This was an occassion where I was in town from LA and needed my car (fresh off I-5) washed. From the moment I arrived and rolled into a stall, I knew I had made the right choice. It was my first time at a self auto wash and Chris was the super helpful attendant that gave me tips on what to do! The price starts at a very reasonable few bucks, and the timed sessions are just right. It was so easy, fast, and my car looked so good (also vacuumed!) that I will go back here the next time I find myself in town. read more