How to Know How Far to Pull into a Garage?
Pulling into a parking spot forces you to use what you know about your car's size, how much space you think you have in the garage, and how well you can use your depth perception. This can make it really hard to know how far to pull into your garage.
A few ways that can make pulling into your garage easier include using a parking aid like a stop sensor, tennis ball, or tire bumps. You can also organize the garage, making sure that you have plenty of space and enough light. Then, you just need to practice your technique.
No-one wants to scratch or dent their car when parking. Though parking in a garage can be challenging, it doesn't need to lead to damage to your vehicle. Let's take a closer look at some of the techniques you can use to protect your car from damage.
How do I Mark a Parking Spot in my Garage?
If you have trouble parking in your garage, you might need to mark the spot. This tells you how far forward you will need to be to fit into the space. There are a few ways that you can do this.
First, you'll need to measure out the area. Then, you'll need to compare it to the size of your car. You might want to mark on the floor where you think the car should be. You can lay out some pieces of tape, so you don't leave a permanent mark on your garage floor.
There are several parking aides that you can use to help you squeeze into the garage. One of the best might be a parking sensor. For under $30, you could get a parking sensor from STKR as it is one of the best devices on the market. It doesn't require any tools to install. It also doesn't need you to put it into an electrical outlet.
For the sensor to work, you'll need to set it. This is very simple. You just need to pull the car into the desired spot. Then, hit the set sensor button. It will record how far away the vehicle is. In the future, it will be able to help you get into the same spot.
You might also want to put a strip of tape where the back of the car should sit. If you have a rearview camera, this will let you double-check that you are in the space correctly.
When you're pulling into the parking space, there will be three lights. First, you'll have a green light. This indicates that you have plenty of room between you and the sensor. When it turns yellow, it's a sign to slow down. If the light turns red, stop and park. As long as you can follow these simple directions, you'll be able to get the ideal car spot each time.
While this is an amazing parking solution, let's look at some of the competition to get some contrast.
For example, you can place blocks on the floor. Place these just in front of where your front wheels should be. When you feel the tires hit them, you'll know that you've pulled into the right spot.
For this solution to be effective, you'll need to make sure that the bumps have been secured in place. You might be able to use some tape to do this. Often, this will be included as part of the kit. If the tape isn't strong enough, you can use some construction adhesive. But now, you are stuck with some tripping hazards glued to your garage floor.
Another popular option is using a tennis ball. In this case, you'll need to park the car in the desired spot. Using a length of string, hang the tennis ball from the ceiling so that the ball lands the vehicle's front windshield. Then, when you drive in, the tennis ball will touch your windshield, telling you it's time to stop and park.
This can be annoying as you might need to tinker with the tennis ball's location a few times before getting it into the right place. Even more annoying is the nuisance dangling out in the garage, waiting to hit you in the head as you go by.
How can you set up Your Garage to Make it Easier to Park?
While a parking aide can be handy, there are a few other ways that you can make parking easier. This can start with the way that you have structured your garage. The first thing that you can do is make sure that it's organized.
There are plenty of ways that you can clean up the garage. For example, you can use shelving or install some cupboards. You can also add overhead storage. This gets stuff off the floor. The cleaner the garage space, the easier it will be for you to park your car.
It's also a good idea to make sure that the garage will be well-lit. This will allow you to see potential hazards. It will also make it easier to use whatever parking aides you have in place.
Often, this will mean calculating the number of lumens you need to adequately light the garage. The lumens are the measure of light. For a more in-depth look, here is an article that goes into more depth about this, making it easy for you to find the right type of light for you.
If you have a small space, you might still struggle to get out of the car, hitting the door against the wall. If this is the case, you might want to put in some PVC wall bumpers. These are easy to install, often just needing to be screwed into place. Then, if you do hit the wall, you won't be denting or scratching your car.
How to Prepare for Parking in a Garage?
While it's important to get your garage in good shape, there are other things that you can do to make sure that you're ready to park the car. First, you'll need to make sure that you practice regularly. This is especially important if you aren't confident in your parking skills. It might also be a good idea if you have just bought a new car.
When you're practicing, you might want to have a family member help you. They will be able to observe your technique and give you some pointers about how you can improve in the future. One of the most common mistakes is pulling into the space at an angle. You might also be going too fast, making it hard to stop in time.
A good parking exercise can be to put some whipped cream on the ground in the size and shape of your parking spot, preferably in a large parking lot. This will let you practice parking straight. If you don't, it'll be evident as you'll smudge the cream.
You can try some new parking techniques. For example, you might want to try reversing into the parking space. This often works best if you have a backup camera. It will also make it easier to get out of the garage, as you'll just need to drive forward.
If you need to fit into a tight space, you might want to make sure that you fold down your mirrors. This will ensure that you don't hit or dent them trying to fit into the spot.
Final Thoughts
Parking your car in a small space can sometimes feel like a challenge. Take the wrong angle, and you might be doing drywall repair. Drive too far forward, and you'll end up hitting something. Not far enough, and you can't shut the garage door.
But there are multiple techniques that you can use to take the difficulty out of parking. These simple aides are inexpensive but will make it a lot easier to get into the right spot. So, try them out for yourself today.
