# Car wash step 1: turn on Services and Bookings

> Add each wash site as a location, switch on the Services, Bookings and Service staff modules, and set your opening hours.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/car-wash/step-1-turn-on-services-and-bookings/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

A car wash sells two kinds of work: quick washes rung up at the pay station, and longer jobs (full service, detailing) that take a crew member's time. The **Services** module handles the timed work and commission; **Bookings** gives you the calendar and the line of cars; the POS sells everything.

> **How to turn it on**
> 1. **Plan:** Services and Bookings: included in some plans. Check Settings › Package Subscription.
> 2. **Switch:** Settings › Business Settings › Modules › Services, Bookings, Service staff, then Update settings
> 3. **Permission:** User Management › Roles › Services permissions
> - **Mobile app:** Services tab (My day, Overview, My commission) in the SmartPOS Business app

## Add your sites

1. Open **Settings › Business Locations**. Edit the first location or click **Add** for each wash site.
2. Enter the name customers know (for example Desert Gleam – Camelback), address and phone.
3. Choose the invoice scheme and layout. Save.

## Switch on the modules

1. Open **Settings › Business Settings** and go to the **Modules** tab.
2. Turn on **Services**, **Bookings** and **Service staff**. Keep **POS** and **Add Sale** on.
3. Optional: **Gift cards** to sell real gift cards, **Customer display** for a screen facing the driver, **Website & online store** for a website with the booking link.
4. Click **Update settings**. The **Services** menu and **Bookings** appear in the sidebar.

## Set hours and scheduling

1. Open **Services › Settings** and click **Business hours** to set your opening hours per day.
2. Under **Scheduling**, set **Start times every (min)** (for example 15), **Default service duration (min)** and **Default clean-up time (min)**.
3. Tick **Mark the appointment completed when its sale is paid in the POS**.
4. Set the **Commission default** (used when a crew member has no own rate). Click **Save**.

![Services settings with online booking link, options to book online, choose a staff member and show prices, scheduling every 15 minutes, commission default and reminders and cancellation](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/services-settings.Cslef44h.png) (web app page: `/services/settings`)
*Services › Settings: online booking, scheduling, commission default and reminders.*

## Tips and mistakes to avoid

- Set opening hours before adding appointments; times outside them are not offered.
- If you only sell tunnel washes and never book, you can skip Services and Bookings and run everything on the POS.

Next: [step 2: wash packages and add-ons](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/car-wash/step-2-wash-packages-and-add-ons/).

  - [Services module](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/services/)
  - [Bookings](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/bookings/)
  - [Business locations](https://docs.smartposhub.com/start/locations/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Which modules does a car wash need?

Services (service menu, crew, appointments, commission) and, for the calendar and walk-ins, Bookings. Service staff lets the cashier pick the crew member on a POS sale. An express-only tunnel can run on the POS alone.

### Where are the module switches?

Settings › Business Settings, Modules tab. Turn the modules on and click Update settings.

### Where do I set opening hours?

In Bookings › Settings (or the Business hours button in Services › Settings). Staff without their own hours use them.

### Do I need a location for each wash bay?

No. A location is a site with its own address and sales. Bays are not locations; plan bays through staff and appointment times.

### The Services card says Not in your plan. What now?

Your plan does not include it. Click See plans on the card, or contact support.