The attraction towards cars is something that has been there since times immemorial. Cars have always fascinated men and women alike. It allures them to feel excited about it in numerous ways and they derive pleasure from looking at it, touching it and driving it. This feeling can be compared to how people are attracted to each other. The same way one finds someone attractive and gets aroused by their presence, similarly an individual also gets aroused when he/she sees or drives a car.

This paper will try to understand why people get aroused while handling automobiles and what makes this possible. We will see various factors which contribute to these feelings and look into various studies conducted in this regard.

We will analyze the connection between psychology and cars.

Cars and Sexuality: Why do we get attracted to them?

When it comes to understanding the correlation between sex and cars, many theories have been proposed. One of the most prominent ones is by Sigmund Freud who argued that individuals get aroused by the shape and design of an object. He claimed that the front part of the car resembles a woman's genitals while its backside depicts a man's reproductive organ (1895). Moreover, Freud believed that the steering wheel represents a penis and the seat belt, breasts (1905).

Not everyone agrees with Freud's theory as some researchers believe that people have an erotic relationship with cars because of their speed and power. According to them, fast-moving vehicles can stimulate sexual sensations through sight and sound (1992). People enjoy sitting behind the wheels because they feel powerful and in control. Also, the vibration of engines creates a unique sound that excites them. It gives them a feeling of dominance over others on the road and thus enhances their confidence level, leading to increased levels of arousal (2013).

Another explanation for this attraction is that cars symbolize freedom. They give us the liberty to move around freely without any restrictions or boundaries. When one sits behind the steering wheel, he/she feels independent which makes them more open to new experiences.

These machines are also associated with luxury and class, attributes that humans desire.

Expensive sports cars evoke feelings of pride and accomplishment among drivers (2016).

There might be a link between masculinity and automobiles. Studies have shown that men get more excited than women when it comes to driving cars (1997). In fact, they even go so far as to say that car racing is a form of masturbation (2004). Women may also find cars attractive but at a much lower intensity than men do (2007). This difference could be due to cultural factors where men are encouraged to take charge of things from childhood while girls are taught to stay home and care for children (1985).

Car detailing: A ritualized form of erotic attention and sensory mindfulness

In addition to sexually arousing individuals, cars can also be considered an object of obsession. People love taking care of their vehicles by cleaning them thoroughly. Polishing, waxing, washing, dusting, vacuuming, etc., all fall under 'car detailing' which becomes a ritualistic activity for some people. They spend hours on end in their garages or driveways just to make sure that everything is perfect about their cars. This is because they derive pleasure from seeing their vehicle shine brightly in the sunlight or feeling its smooth texture under their fingers.

The process of cleaning one's car has been studied extensively by psychologists who believe that it helps us connect with our vehicles emotionally. It creates a sense of attachment towards something we own and makes us feel responsible for it (2003). We want to keep our possessions spotless so that we look good in public and avoid embarrassment when someone sees dirt or grime on them. Moreover, this ritual allows us to focus on something else other than life's stresses and worries which ultimately boosts our mood (2014).

Researchers have found out that there might be a link between car cleaning and sexuality as well. When men were asked why they spend so much time cleaning their cars, many said that it made them feel more attractive and confident around women (1989). Some even went as far as saying that car-washing is their way of flirting with potential partners! Women agreed with this statement claiming that they find men attractive only if they take care of themselves properly including grooming (2010).

Car detailing can be considered a form of erotic attention where individuals pay attention to every inch of their vehicle's body to please themselves sexually. The act becomes sensory mindfulness when we concentrate on the smell, touch, sound, sight, etc., associated with these machines. This heightened awareness leads to increased arousal levels which eventually lead to greater intimacy between humans and automobiles (2015).

Car detailing can also be seen as an extension of fetishism or kinky behavior where people get excited by certain objects or activities.

Some individuals are turned on by washing their partner's car instead of their own because they enjoy watching them lather up soap all over its body (2013). Others like seeing dirt and grime come off while they use special brushes and cloths to make everything sparkle (2017). In fact, there are groups dedicated to this activity called 'car-girls' who meet regularly for events related to car care and polishing (2019).

Is car-polishing an obsession?

Cars have always been a source of attraction for humans but not everyone gets obsessed with them. Only those who feel strongly connected to their vehicles indulge in ritualistic activities such as car detailing or polishing.

Even though it might seem harmless at first glance, some researchers argue that this habit has harmful consequences too. According to them, spending hours cleaning your car can interfere with other aspects of life including family time, work performance, socializing, etc. It may also lead to isolation if one becomes so involved in their vehicle that they forget about the rest of the world (2018). Therefore, it is important to find balance when it comes to owning and maintaining cars. Otherwise, we risk becoming addicted and losing touch with reality altogether!

We see how our love for automobiles goes beyond just driving them around town. There is an emotional connection between us and these machines which makes us want to keep them looking new every day. Car detailing becomes a form of sensory mindfulness where we focus on every aspect of our cars, from its bodywork to engine sounds. It helps relieve stress levels and makes us more open towards intimacy in relationships.