How to Protect Your Car from Parking Lot Damage

We have all seen it happen. You park your shiny, beloved car and ten seconds later an SUV the size of Texas parks practically on top of it, flinging its doors opened into your beautiful paint. Or a lone shopping cart comes barreling at your car like a bull, right into your bumper. Parking lot damage can be one of the most aggravating and upsetting inflictions upon your car, but there are some precautions you can take for protection.

You may have laughed at your dad back in the day when he would drive the precious family station wagon through the parking lot all the way to the very end where absolutely no one else was parked. The store was so far from where you parked, you thought it was a mirage dancing across the vast distance of the parking lot blacktop. You complained as you walked what must have been thirty miles from the car to the supermarket or home improvement store. But who knew that dad may have been onto something?

Parking a good distance away from the jam-packed section of the parking lot is usually a good idea. You eliminate the factor of volume, cars coming in and out, thus decreasing the chances of damage. However, there are other factors to take into consideration. While you don't want to be parked right in the middle of a sea of other vehicles, you don't want to stand out in the middle of the empty section like an island. This could be an open invitation to vandalism and even the chance of someone who is driving through the parking lot and just happens to have object fixation and slams right into your car. If you find a nice spot that is a good distance away from the congestion of other cars and is in a safe location, take it. Don't be afraid of a little walking.

Parking on the end of an aisle is always a good idea. You have the curb for protection on one side and decrease the chances of damage from other vehicles by half. Having a curb or grassy division in the front of your car is also great since it takes away the opportunity for someone to drive into your front bumper.

Avoiding large vehicles like minivans, SUV's and trucks is a must to protect your car from damage. While most minivans come equipped with sliding doors, they also come with children who usually have little or no regard for other cars. Trucks and SUV's have large doors with an even larger swinging radius. So if you must park in a more congested parking lot, do your best to look for a spot between two smaller sized vehicles. Your car doors will thank you. And if you happen to be one of the many over-sized vehicle drivers, make sure to be careful by the cars you park next to, it's parking lot courtesy.

Another way to protect your car from parking lot damage is to be aware of your surroundings. You want to make sure you are parking in a well lit, well viewed parking lot. In other words, no dark, desolated areas where almost anything can happen to you or your car. Being aware of your surroundings is a good tip in general, but works for keeping your car safe as well.

Of course, if you are concerned about theft and crime of your vehicle, it doesn't hurt to invest in an alarm system. Although there are many different types at different price ranges, if you feel it's the best thing for you to protect your vehicle, then do look into it. Determine what price is right for your peace of mind. And always remember to lock your car after parking, this is common sense and could really save you a lot of money and aggravation.

Following these simple and easy ideas can keep your car from experiencing some awful parking lot damage. With a little common sense and a few changes made to your routine, you can keep your car in the condition you love so much.