Fitchburg Automotive

With each cleaning, Bubbles Car Wash’s staff strives to leave cars thoroughly polished and shining. Customers choose a Single, Double, or Triple Bubble wash, with options that range from a basic bath and towel dry to a luxurious scrub that involves triple-foam polish and protective coats of Teflon. The auto experts and two-time finalists for CityVoter's Best Car Wash in 2011 and 2012 also venture into interiors during auto detailings, which evict grime and stains from seats and mats, and focus on their motto, "We don't sell car washes, we sell services." As car owners wait, they can surf the web on free WiFi.

At A-Z Auto Center, brothers Billy and Fredy run the detailing, auto-body, and mechanical-repair shop started by their dad more than 40 years ago, earning remarks for their "rare integrity" on sites such as Citysearch. As members of a AAA Approved Auto Repair service center, A-Z's automotive technicians uphold ASE standards during every repair, from replacing windshields to matching multilayer factory finishes as closely as possible through a sophisticated paint system. To simplify the repair process, team members can provide free estimates via uploaded vehicle images as well as quickly process insurance claims through their fleet of carrier pigeons. They can also give customers lifts home or help coordinate car rentals should their vehicles require extended service.

For 34 years, The Clean Machine's facility has been snatching unsuspecting autos right off the road, infusing them with liquid lifeblood, and scrubbing their sullied frames and interiors until they shine. Customers can steer their cars, SUVs, or vans into the car-care center and listen to the satisfied slurping sounds as their trusty steeds guzzle as much Exxon conventional oil as they need (synthetic oil is available for an extra fee). During the exterior car wash, the staff scans the car from bumper to bumper, using water and soap to wash away dirt and road debris. Drivers then choose to smother either the rugs or seats with shampoo, which helps clean out splotches from spilled soda, shoe muck, and backseat psychologists administering homemade Rorschach tests.

Though it has adopted advanced technology in its cleaning tunnels, Waves Car Wash still powers some of its services with the original drier: the sun. On the roof are 160 solar panels that soak up rays, fueling up to 20% of the facility's electrical output. The panels reflect Waves Car Wash's emphasis on green initiatives—others include biodegradable cleaning products and a recycling system for waste water. The shop also channels its vehicle-sprucing expertise to benefit charitable programs such as Wash for a Cause and Wash Away Thirst.

Meticulous treatments and a familial ambiance have enabled the wash spot to achieve its current level of altruism. Car washes ranked from Basic to Extreme glamorize vehicles with water, wax, and wheel pampering. Detailing, buffing, and headlight-restoration services leave cars looking so flashy that they'll begin attracting disco balls. Enamored patrons can even join the Always Clean Unlimited Wash Club, which grants them infinite cleanings in exchange for a monthly fee.

Drop off your horsepowered horseless carriage at Glenville Terrace Auto Body, where experienced professionals stand at the ready to remix your oily fluids and filters, allowing your ride to run smoother, longer, and with significantly less sweating. It's recommended to stop in for a change every 3,000 miles or, if you're one to spend your days off rolling back the odometer before your friend's dad finds out, every six months. After all, oil changes are an important part of routine car maintenance and can help you avoid interstate breakdowns and awkward silences in the cab or the tow truck. Glenville's friendly automotive masters will swap out your vehicle's black-liquid soul two separate times, ensuring effortless rides for 6,000 miles.

Tyre Track Automotive Center's six-bay garage bustles with ASE-certified technicians rescuing ailing rides, shuttles running to and from local college campuses, and owner Tim Andrew amicably assisting both staffers and patrons. The hands-on owner has spent years in the auto industry, first manufacturing and selling tires before setting up his own wholesale supply shop more than two decades ago. Since then, Tyre Track Automotive Center has morphed into a full-service auto outfit that doles out routine maintenance services and repair work in addition to its ample stock of rubber wheels. During service appointments, Tim and his crew pull quality automotive products from the shelves, retooling vehicles with Valvoline motor oil, tires from Michelin, and Bosch wiper blades before sealing repair work with a kiss.