How to Prevent Car Door Dings in Parking Lots
July 11th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Few things are more annoying – and more inevitable – than discovering that your door has been dinged or nicked.
We are a car nation, and as long as we continue parking our cars in parking spaces, frequently surrounded on both sides by other vehicles, door dings are going to happen.
So, how can you prevent or minimize door dings on car? The key is to become a strategic parker, adjusting your approach based on different situations. Follow these tips to learn how to avoid the dreaded car door ding in parking lot or at least reduce the chances of it happening to you.
1. Be aware
Strategic parkers scan their surroundings as they enter a parking lot. It’s all about being aware and being in the moment. As you consider a parking place, be aware of the cars next to you. Do you have enough breathing room to prevent a car door ding?
A common occurrence is a careless door opening, which happens when your car door hits – or is hit by – the guy parked next to you.
We can all help minimize door dings if we slow things down a bit. Instead of rushing to open the door, try doing it more gently, taking the time to assess your surroundings.
2. Consider weather
If it’s a windy day, be on guard, because the force of the wind could easily slam your door against another.
Sometimes the culprit of a car door ding is not another driver but Mother Nature. If you are aware of rain or hail in the forecast, find covered parking. If you live in a region known for inclement weather, consider investing in a car protector cover. If hail hits your car, that’s going to be one expensive ding.
3. Check the cars next to you
If you want to avoid a car door ding in parking lot, start by checking the cars parked next to you.
Be sure to take a good look at the cars on both sides of your chosen parking space before making the final decision. How far apart are they? Do they have door dings on car? If their doors were to be open all the way, could they hit your car door?
Also, try to determine if the cars next to you have passengers. The fewer the passengers, the less likely it is that the doors will be opened. If you spot child seats, that’s a door ding just waiting to happen, as parents understandably need to open the passenger doors all the way. Beware of parking next to that car, unless you have plenty of breathing room.
4. Always try to park straight
To avoid a car door ding, don’t straddle the lines – park straight between them, with equal space on both sides of your car. When you pull into your parking spot, make sure you come to a stop before you get too close to the car in front of you, if there is one.
5. Park farther out
If a lot is especially crowded, seek out the end spot, because it will be safer and less susceptible to being hit by another car.
If you don’t mind the hike, park farther out, where there are fewer vehicles.
If you’re going to the grocery store and want to avoid a car door ding in parking lot, make sure not to park near shopping carts.
Car park dings are very common. Car parks tend to have a reputation for attracting careless and impatient drivers, and unfortunately, car parks and door dings go together like peanut butter and jelly. Avoid car parks if you can, but if you can’t, try parking in the more remote and quieter sections. This should at least reduce the potential of getting car park dings.
If you drive your car a lot, you will eventually get door dings on car. That’s just statistics. But there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of it happening.
The most effective strategy is to practice strategic parking. That means always being aware of your surroundings and seeking the safest parking space you can find, even if it means parking farther away from your destination.
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Country Club Hills, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing all communities in Country Club Hills, close neighborhoods of Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort Square, Matteson, Chicago Heights, and other Southside towns and cities.
