Ding And Scratch Prevention

[Gekko]

DING AND SCRATCH PREVENTION

1. Park far, far away from the stores and everyone else in the lot. Park far enough away to be away from another car, but not too far away lest it dare someone into parking next to you. Don't park so far away that you are not in a clear - well lit area and make yourself a target for vandals and/or petty theft.
2. Park on an end and get close to it to prevent at least one side from getting hit.
3. Remind passengers to be careful (especially of gravity and the wind) when opening doors.
4. Do not park next to next to a pole or wall or other obstacle if you have passengers.
5. Don't park too close to the main entrance or exit to avoid getting hit.
6. Always go slowly when pulling in/backing up. Also - stop and look behind you first when backing up.
7. Never Valet park.
8. Don't leave your car for long periods of time in a foreign lot.
9. Never take up more than one space or park crooked EVEN if you aren't near another car... this is just asking for trouble.
10. Try to avoid parking directly under a tree, bridge, or other structure to avoid falling debris such as sap, rocks, and bird droppings. If you get hit with bird droppings, clean it off immediately with a alcohol-based glass cleaner spray (ammonia-free only!) and gently wipe with microfiber towel then rinse with clean water.
11. Don't parallel park - avoid people tapping your bumpers.
12. Be careful parking at Mini-Markets and Gas Stations - people are usually in a rush and careless there.
13. Never park next to a handicapped spot.
14. Never park next to a minivan.
15. Never park next to a big truck or SUV.
16. Never park next to a 2 door car - doors swing open far.
17. Never park next to a junker - park next to a nice car if you can/have to. Don't assume that another owner is as respectful of your car as their own, even if it's a nice car. Many people live their lives unconsciously, and don't take the time to consider the results of their actions, even if it risks themselves or their belongings.
18. Never park near the shopping cart corral.
19. Try to avoid at all costs parking next to a car that is higher on a slope, especially a 2 door. Gravity can easily pull the door beyond the 1st bump stop and give you a good broadside.
20. Be aware of windy days. They can catch YOUR door and smack someone else's car or another object.
21. Be careful when/if your car is towed.
22. Don't have blind faith/trust in the Lexus dealer's lot or staff. Make sure you tell the Service Advisor that you know the condition of your car and expect it to be returned the exact same way. Decline the free washes.
23. Stay away from busy malls or park a fair disance away and avoid peak shopping times!
24. Keep an eye out for creative spots. Park out of traffic's way but don't appear as an arrogant a-hole or taking advantage.
25. Avoid all Automatic Car Washes and never use the coin-up brush. Only wipe Micro Fiber towels and quality care products.
26. Don't let anybody else - especially women - drive your car.
27. Be careful pulling into parking spots with a front curb or wall and hitting it with your lip or bumper. Also be careful of scratching rims with curb when parallel parking.
28. Don't follow behind trucks carrying debris.
29. Never park near low hanging branches or hedges that may scratch your car.
30. Never park near where kids play.
31. Drive a beater for "dangerous" missions.
32. Never use an ice scraper or a snow brush on your glass/car! Wrap a MicroFiber towel around a very soft brush to remove snow. As for the ice, use the heater and wait.

[Bill D]

WOW!


AMEN!, AMEN!, AMEN!


And I'll say it again, AMEN!

[NHBFAN]

I've been considering body colored door molding.

[reevis]

Can I make an addendum?

33. When parking in a covered garage on rainy/snowy days...look for cracks in the ceiling where water may drip through onto your car.

The water most likely will contain salt and/or sediment (basically calcium or lime) which can etch the paint of your car if it sits long enough.

Great list by the way...this stuff runs through my head (like the Terminator) whenever I park in a public area.

[butchdave]

OK - I am going to add one item and disagree about one item

Add

Try and park at the top of the slope and never park downhill from a trolley station.

Disagree

Originally posted by Gekko
9. Never take up more than one space or park crooked EVEN if you aren't near another car... this is just asking for trouble.

Despite feeling like a complete a####le I have changed my parking policy at the supermarket. I park in a remote area with lots of free spaces and I park across two spaces. I never do this anywhere but where there are lots of spaces and only at the supermarket - some car parks can fine you for not parking square in a space.



People don't realise why I do this - they just think I am being a typical Volvo driver (can't drive)

[JimS]

Leave it home and drive the beater to the store. Use the good one for parading only.

[Bill D]

Originally posted by reevis
Can I make an addendum?

33. When parking in a covered garage on rainy/snowy days...look for cracks in the ceiling where water may drip through onto your car.

.

Excellent observation, I constantly keep this one in mind too. Several times I walked back to the car and moved it somewhere else when I saw the dripping start

[Mr Concours]

I thought I was the only one who had concerns about parking lots! You put me to shame Gekko!

[Richt]

I think everyone does!

[butchdave]

Originally posted by JimS
Leave it home and drive the beater to the store. Use the good one for parading only.

Its the beater I'm talking about!

You mean you don't detail your beater?

[Dave Holmes]

I need to print this list out and tape it to my steering wheel for my wife to reference.

Dave

[andriver]

26. Don't let anybody else - especially women - drive your car.

This one cracks me up.