I really love driving my LS, but hate parking in any parking lot. Have you ever noticed that even if you park far away from everyone that some piece of s##t will park beside you even though there are other parking spots! I recently received a door ding from one of these. I always walk around the car and look if anyone parks beside me, but I guess that I didn't notice it until I got home. I took my wife and kids to wal-mart awhile back but wouldn't leave the car alone(I dropped them off at the door). I parked far away and stayed in the car. This joker that had just bought a used minivan parked on the other side of the isle, out in the middle of nowhere and went in. He came back with his wife and 4 kids. He pulled out some new floor mats and air fresheners and put them in right away. His wife looked at the cart and walked right on by. Then when he was done he looked at the cart and then jumped right in his van. I couldn't get out of my car fast enough to go over and ream him out. But sure enough the cart started rolling right over toward my car and then an employee grabbed it. Sorry for the long rant, but I really hate stupid people! and I am really afraid to leave my LS anywhere except for my garage.
Parking Lots
- Thread starter jacquezzz
- Start date
ToddG
Dedicated LVC Member
I can relate to that.
In the past, I've received two door dings under the same circumstances: Right after I park my car and am getting ready to get out, a minivan or small stationwagon with a load of screaming kids pulls in next to me. Guess what happens? The kids just throw the doors open and WHAM, hits my side. The mother, who is also screaming, simply says, Oh, gee, sorry. Sorry? There's a huge dent!
In a parking garage, I try to park on a level surface so if someone parks next to me, gravity doesn't help their doors hit my car.
In the past, I've received two door dings under the same circumstances: Right after I park my car and am getting ready to get out, a minivan or small stationwagon with a load of screaming kids pulls in next to me. Guess what happens? The kids just throw the doors open and WHAM, hits my side. The mother, who is also screaming, simply says, Oh, gee, sorry. Sorry? There's a huge dent!
In a parking garage, I try to park on a level surface so if someone parks next to me, gravity doesn't help their doors hit my car.
The secret is to not park way out in the middle of nowhere. You just have to find the sweet spot, far enough out that the cars are sparse enough to provide space, but close enough that your car doesn't become an @$$hole magnet.
And make sure you park at the top of the #$%!ing hill, not downslope from the nearly-evolved schmucks who're too damn lazy to take the flipping cart to the cart return...
And make sure you park at the top of the #$%!ing hill, not downslope from the nearly-evolved schmucks who're too damn lazy to take the flipping cart to the cart return...
chocolat1701
Dedicated LVC Member
hey what i do is a park right no the middle of 2 parking spaces that way neither car on both sides can touch my car with their doors wide open -- since i been doing that i havent gotten any door dings
chocolat1701 said:hey what i do is a park right no the middle of 2 parking spaces that way neither car on both sides can touch my car with their doors wide open -- since i been doing that i havent gotten any door dings
thats asking for more than a little door ding...youll find a nice key job one day.
I just park sideways when I'm at walmart =) At school people know not to hit my car, because they wont get the end of it. If all the side spots are full I don't stay inside the place I'm at very long, because I want to see the cars I parked by when I leave...if you know what I mean.
itsnotmydaddys
Dedicated LVC Member
I have never gotten a ding (knock on wood) If im out i either valet the car up front, if im at the supermarket or something like that ill park way in the back of the lot. If im at a place that doesnt have valet at night ill park it up front. In St. Louis these days people are getting robbed left and right (were #1 in crime just dropped to #3) so i would rather risk a door dong than some fool breaking my window and jacking eberything i have.
Tips:
1. If possible, park way out in the lot, preferably 8-10 spots from the next car. Look for other cars that are parked out there: they are probably regulars at the establishment (or workers who won't be moving their cars until the shift ends) and know where to park to keep their cars from getting messed up. Park at least that far out if you can.
2. Never, ever, take more than one spot. People will park beside you, ding you, key you, or worse just to "pay you back", no matter how far out you are or how few cars are around you.
3. If you're forced to park near other cars, park near four doors and not two doors. The four doors are much shorter, and have less of a chance of hitting the car. On the other hand, four doors have a more irregular shape than two door cars, and may be more likely to contact metal instead of body molding. Use your judgment here.
4. Take end spots, if available, and park as close to the end lines you can. That way you don't cheese anyone off, but you still get a nice buffer zone.
5. If you are forced to park on one side of a car or another, try to make sure that you park with your car near the passenger door, and not the drivers door. A large percentage of the cars in the lot are driver-only and the passengers doors won't be open.
6. again, if you have choice, park with your drivers door next to the car beside you. You have a better chance of seeing a ding that way and leaving some pleasant reminder on the car beside you that they should not be dinging your car.
7. Check out the car beside you for dings. If they don't care about their car, they won't care about yours. Park closer to the nicer car. Try to find another "car nut" car: nicely waxed, customizations, etc.
8. also, check for childrens toys or "old people stuff". Kids don't know any better, and it's sometimes difficult for older people to get into and out of their cars without opening the doors very wide.
9. Don't count on "nobody being able to squeeze into a small spot". Someone will try. also, don't create a small spot by parking too close to one line or the other, even if there are no cars there at that time. again, someone will try to squeeze in. Unless you are on an end spot, park right in the middle of the space.
10. Don't park under trees. all sorts of nasty stuff falls on your car, and sap is a real pain to get off.
11. Use a car cover - Kimberly Clark Evolution 4 material is a great product, used by Covercraft, Wolf, Coverking, and others. Its 4 layer thickness will help prevent the dings should an errant driver bump your car. Buy the custom fit cover, and get a cable and lock, too, so some miscreant doesn't swipe your cover.
12. Remember that carts roll downhill. Try to park where an errant rolling cart will not hit your car, on the top of a hill, if possible.
13. Once you've found that perfect spot, take a look around and see what might be backing out behind you. Motorhomes, jacked-up pickups and a rusted out LTD who'se rear bumper is tied on with a piece of rope should all be avoided.
14. Never park beside a car that is parked facing "downhill". The doors will fly open and bash yours as they get into / out of the car.
15. Be careful around grassy areas. You never know when the sprinkler systems will turn on and douse your car. Worse yet, the
lawn care people could come around and give your car a good coating of grass and / or rocks thrown from the lawn equipment.
16. Park near a light at night. It's easier to see what you're doing when getting into and out of the car, and likewise for others. also, it's less appealing to a thief if the car is in a lighted area.
1. If possible, park way out in the lot, preferably 8-10 spots from the next car. Look for other cars that are parked out there: they are probably regulars at the establishment (or workers who won't be moving their cars until the shift ends) and know where to park to keep their cars from getting messed up. Park at least that far out if you can.
2. Never, ever, take more than one spot. People will park beside you, ding you, key you, or worse just to "pay you back", no matter how far out you are or how few cars are around you.
3. If you're forced to park near other cars, park near four doors and not two doors. The four doors are much shorter, and have less of a chance of hitting the car. On the other hand, four doors have a more irregular shape than two door cars, and may be more likely to contact metal instead of body molding. Use your judgment here.
4. Take end spots, if available, and park as close to the end lines you can. That way you don't cheese anyone off, but you still get a nice buffer zone.
5. If you are forced to park on one side of a car or another, try to make sure that you park with your car near the passenger door, and not the drivers door. A large percentage of the cars in the lot are driver-only and the passengers doors won't be open.
6. again, if you have choice, park with your drivers door next to the car beside you. You have a better chance of seeing a ding that way and leaving some pleasant reminder on the car beside you that they should not be dinging your car.
7. Check out the car beside you for dings. If they don't care about their car, they won't care about yours. Park closer to the nicer car. Try to find another "car nut" car: nicely waxed, customizations, etc.
8. also, check for childrens toys or "old people stuff". Kids don't know any better, and it's sometimes difficult for older people to get into and out of their cars without opening the doors very wide.
9. Don't count on "nobody being able to squeeze into a small spot". Someone will try. also, don't create a small spot by parking too close to one line or the other, even if there are no cars there at that time. again, someone will try to squeeze in. Unless you are on an end spot, park right in the middle of the space.
10. Don't park under trees. all sorts of nasty stuff falls on your car, and sap is a real pain to get off.
11. Use a car cover - Kimberly Clark Evolution 4 material is a great product, used by Covercraft, Wolf, Coverking, and others. Its 4 layer thickness will help prevent the dings should an errant driver bump your car. Buy the custom fit cover, and get a cable and lock, too, so some miscreant doesn't swipe your cover.
12. Remember that carts roll downhill. Try to park where an errant rolling cart will not hit your car, on the top of a hill, if possible.
13. Once you've found that perfect spot, take a look around and see what might be backing out behind you. Motorhomes, jacked-up pickups and a rusted out LTD who'se rear bumper is tied on with a piece of rope should all be avoided.
14. Never park beside a car that is parked facing "downhill". The doors will fly open and bash yours as they get into / out of the car.
15. Be careful around grassy areas. You never know when the sprinkler systems will turn on and douse your car. Worse yet, the
lawn care people could come around and give your car a good coating of grass and / or rocks thrown from the lawn equipment.
16. Park near a light at night. It's easier to see what you're doing when getting into and out of the car, and likewise for others. also, it's less appealing to a thief if the car is in a lighted area.