The Clean Machine

For drivers across New York, especially those on Long Island, keeping their vehicles in top condition, both aesthetically and mechanically, is a constant consideration. Services like car washes and oil changes are essential parts of vehicle maintenance. In North Bellmore, NY, The Clean Machine at 1199 Newbridge Rd presents itself as a combined car wash and express lube service center, aiming to be a convenient one-stop shop for these needs. However, for local users, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive and factual understanding of a business, including both its offerings and real customer experiences.

This article will delve into what The Clean Machine offers, its location and accessibility, and various services including car washes and express lube. Importantly, we will also present direct customer feedback, which includes significant concerns about service quality and accountability related to oil changes. Our aim is to provide New York residents with all the information needed to make an informed decision about utilizing The Clean Machine’s services, ensuring transparency and factual reporting.

The Clean Machine, located at 1199 Newbridge Rd in North Bellmore, NY, positions itself as a comprehensive automotive service center. Since 1998, it has offered a combination of car wash services and an express lube center, aiming to provide convenience for vehicle owners. Their car wash options range from basic exterior washes to full-service packages that include interior cleaning and detailing. The express lube side provides routine maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and other preventative services, often with the added perk of a free exterior car wash with every oil change.

However, recent customer reviews have brought significant concerns to light, primarily regarding the express lube service and the business's response to alleged damages. While the business aims for a "high quality car wash" and boasts a mix of "manual labor and automatic machines," the very serious claims of engine damage and lack of accountability from the owner, Larry, are critical for potential customers to consider. This conflicting feedback paints a complex picture of the overall customer experience at The Clean Machine.

The Clean Machine is conveniently located at 1199 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY 11710, USA. Newbridge Road is a well-known thoroughfare in North Bellmore, a community on Long Island, New York. This central location contributes to the business's accessibility for residents in North Bellmore, Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, and surrounding Nassau County areas.

Its placement on Newbridge Road means it's generally easy to reach from various local neighborhoods and main roads. For daily commuters or those running errands, the location can be a practical stop for a car wash or quick maintenance service. As a car wash and express lube facility, it is designed for vehicle flow, with clearly marked entrances and exits. This accessibility is a key factor for any local business aiming to serve a broad customer base in a busy region like Long Island.

The Clean Machine in North Bellmore, NY, offers a range of services designed to address both vehicle cleanliness and basic maintenance needs. These typically include:

• Car Wash Services:
  • Exterior Wash: Basic wash and dry.
  • Full Service Wash: Includes complete vacuuming, exterior wash, triple wax, hand towel dry, interior wipe down, windows cleaned (inside and out), and spray air freshener.
  • Premium Wash Packages (e.g., Works, VIP): These packages offer increasingly comprehensive services, such as shampooing mats, hot wax, undercarriage cleaner, tire dressing (Armor All), Rain-X rain repellent, Teflon wax, hand shine, and full interior wipe-down with Armor All.
  • Unlimited Monthly Wash Plans: Available for various wash levels, allowing customers to wash their car as often as desired for a flat monthly fee.
• Express Lube Services (Oil Change & Maintenance):
  • Oil Change, Lube, and Filter: Available for various oil types (Conventional, Factory, Full Synthetic, Mobil Super, Mobil High Mileage, Mobil 1 Full Synthetic) at different price points and mileage recommendations.
  • Free Exterior Car Wash with Every Oil Change: A promotional offer to combine services.
  • Tire Rotation and Pressure Check.
  • Brake Fluid Top Off.
  • Air Filter Inspection and Replacement.
  • Radiator Flush Service.
  • Battery Inspection.
  • Other Car Maintenance: Including Interstate Battery sales, air filter, cabin filter, wiper blade replacement, tire plug, and engine flush.
• Auto Detailing: Professional interior and exterior detailing services, available by appointment.
• Propane Tank Sales & Exchange: Offers new, full propane tanks and tank exchanges.
• Gift Cards & Wash Book Cards: Available for purchase, with wash book cards potentially offering a free wash after purchasing a certain number of washes (e.g., 5 or 10 plan).

While the range of services is extensive, it is imperative to refer to the customer reviews in the "Features / Highlights" section for crucial feedback regarding the quality and reliability of the express lube services.

The Clean Machine in North Bellmore, NY, presents itself with several operational features, but it's essential to present these alongside direct customer feedback for a complete picture. While the business aims to offer convenience and comprehensive care, customer experiences highlight significant concerns, particularly regarding their express lube services.

• Combined Car Wash and Express Lube: The facility's primary feature is its dual service model, allowing customers to get both a car wash and basic vehicle maintenance (like oil changes) in one location. This is designed for convenience.
• Variety of Car Wash Packages: The Clean Machine offers a diverse menu of car wash packages, from basic exterior cleans to extensive full-service washes with interior detailing, hot wax, and protective treatments. This caters to different levels of cleaning needs and budgets.
• Unlimited Monthly Wash Plans: The availability of unlimited wash club memberships is a common feature at car washes, offering potential savings for frequent users.
• Free Exterior Car Wash with Oil Change: This is a promotional highlight, incentivizing customers to use both services.
• Express Lube Services: They offer a range of express maintenance services including various oil change types, tire rotation, and other minor preventative maintenance.

However, it is critical to highlight significant negative feedback from customers, primarily concerning the express lube service:

• Alleged Negligence Leading to Major Engine Damage: A serious claim involves a "brand new Chevrolet Traverse" that reportedly suffered a "missing drain plug" and a "seized engine" requiring an $8,000 replacement, following an oil change at The Clean Machine. The customer alleges this was a "direct result of negligence by their mechanic" for not tightening the drain plug.
• Refusal to Take Responsibility by Management/Owner: Despite presenting a computerized receipt, the owner (Larry) and manager allegedly "refused to take responsibility," citing "too much time between the oil change and when the warning light came on." This pattern of non-accountability is highlighted by the customer.
• Damaged Engine Splash Guards: Another customer reported that both their car and their son's car had "engine splash guards were not tight properly" after an oil change, leading to partial or total detachment and a $500 cost. Again, the manager reportedly attributed this to "road hazard" and denied fault.
• Lack of BBB Accreditation & Lawsuit/BBB Filings: The Better Business Bureau profile indicates this business is "NOT BBB Accredited." The aggrieved customer also states an intention to file a lawsuit and report them to the Better Business Bureau.

These severe negative highlights, particularly concerning the express lube service and management's response to alleged damages, warrant extreme caution for potential customers seeking oil changes or similar maintenance here. While the car wash services may be different, the overall pattern of accountability is a significant factor.

Based on the provided information and public data, The Clean Machine in North Bellmore, NY, offers several direct and potential promotional incentives, though customers should factor in the very serious concerns raised in reviews about service quality, particularly for oil changes, when evaluating these offers.

• Free Exterior Car Wash with Every Oil Change: This is a key promotional offer, bundling their two primary services. It's designed to incentivize customers to utilize their express lube center.
• Unlimited Monthly Wash Plans: The Clean Machine offers various tiers of unlimited wash memberships (e.g., Exterior, Exterior Plus, Silver, Gold, Platinum). These plans allow customers to wash their vehicles as often as they wish for a single monthly fee, providing potential savings for frequent car washers.
• Wash Book Cards: Customers can purchase wash book cards, which may offer a bonus wash (e.g., "Purchase a 5 or 10 plan and receive 1 Wash Free"), similar to a loyalty program.
• Online Discounts/Groupon Deals: Past Groupon deals indicate that The Clean Machine has offered promotions like "one month of unlimited full-service car washes for one vehicle" at a discounted rate, suggesting they participate in online coupon platforms.
• Multi-Car Discounts: For Unlimited Wash Club members, there is a "50% OFF MULTI-CAR DISCOUNT FOR FLEET & FAMILY PLANS" when multiple memberships are billed to the same credit card, except for the Basic Plan.

While these promotions aim to provide value, the negative customer experiences regarding service quality, particularly for oil changes, should be carefully weighed against the perceived savings. Customers are advised to research current promotions on The Clean Machine's official website or inquire directly at the facility for the most up-to-date offers, while also exercising extreme caution for any maintenance services.

For your convenience, here is the direct contact information for The Clean Machine:

• Address: 1199 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY 11710, USA
• Phone: (516) 221-6100

This phone number is your primary point of contact for inquiries regarding car wash packages, express lube services, detailing appointments (which typically require an appointment), and any other questions you may have. Given the serious concerns raised in customer reviews, it would be advisable for anyone considering services here, especially oil changes, to exercise extreme caution and consider alternative, highly-rated service providers for mechanical work. If you have concerns or need to address an issue, retaining all receipts and documentation is crucial.

For residents of North Bellmore, New York, and surrounding Long Island communities, assessing the suitability of a business like The Clean Machine requires a balanced perspective, considering both its advertised offerings and the very serious concerns raised by past customers.

On the one hand, The Clean Machine's convenient location on Newbridge Road and its dual service model offering both car washes and express lube services aim to cater to the busy schedules of New Yorkers. The variety of car wash packages and unlimited wash plans provides options for those who frequently want to keep their vehicles sparkling clean, from basic exterior washes to comprehensive full-service cleans with interior attention. The promise of a "Free Exterior Car Wash with Every Oil Change" is also a notable incentive for value-conscious consumers.

However, the extremely serious and consistent negative feedback regarding the express lube service is a critical factor that significantly impacts its overall suitability, especially for locals seeking reliable mechanical work. Allegations of a "missing drain plug" leading to a "seized engine" and "engine splash guards" breaking off due to improper tightening, combined with the owner's reported "pattern of not taking responsibility," raise severe concerns about the quality of workmanship and accountability. The stated intention of customers to pursue legal action and report the business to the Better Business Bureau further underscores the gravity of these claims.

Given these deeply troubling reports concerning vehicle damage and customer service, while the car wash side may offer various packages, it is strongly recommended that locals exercise extreme caution, particularly regarding any mechanical or oil change services at The Clean Machine. For car wash needs, customers may wish to review more recent, specific car wash-only feedback. However, for essential vehicle maintenance, the documented negative experiences suggest that New York drivers should seriously consider seeking alternative, highly-rated, and fully accountable express lube or mechanic services elsewhere to safeguard their vehicles and peace of mind. Informed decision-making, in this instance, means prioritizing vehicle safety and business accountability above potential convenience or promotional offers.