5th July
Keeping your car safe when parked at the roadside.
Our cars give us real freedom and allow us to live life as we wish. We have the freedom to go anywhere (almost), be it to the local shop, a tourist attraction, or even the road trip of a lifetime! Whilst you’ve parked by the roadside countless times, you still need to be careful when parking to avoid damaging your car. Even if you’re a careful driver, your car is still vulnerable when it’s left unattended. Busy streets can be especially challenging to park on, especially if you drive a luxury or classic car.
In addition to accidental damage, your car could also be vandalized or stolen. Thieves may target areas with low crime, and tourist-heavy areas often experience break-ins. whilst you can’t account for every possible risk, there are some steps you can take to reduce the chances of damage to your car. Here are our best tips for car safety when parking on busy streets.
Check Your Mirrors and your Distance from the Curb
Part of keeping your car damage free when parked on a busy street is making sure that your car is not protruding from the parking spot. If any part of your car sticks out into the street, it’s more likely to be damaged by a passing car. Get in the habit of double-checking your distance from the curb every time you park. It’s better to take a little more time to check your positioning than to discover some damage upon you return. Do not be afraid to repark or move your car entirely if you are unhappy with your roadside positioning.
Secure Your Car
When you are leaving the car, be aware of items inside that are noticeable from outside. Be sure to close the blind over luggage areas and to hide away any valuables. When locking your car with the handheld remote, takes care of the risk of someone operating a signal jammer that prevents the car from locking. Double check to make sure that the alarm on the car has activated once you lock it. Look closely at your car keys for a special button that may turn the alarm on or off or read the owner’s manual for specific details.
Always ensure that all your windows are closed, even in summer. Another useful deterrent to theft of the complete vehicle is to park with your wheels turned sharply to the curb. Whilst the car could still be stolen, many thieves would look at the additional hassle and target something else instead.
Use a car cover
You can use a summer weight or winter weight car cover to keep your interior as cool as possible while you’re gone. At cover-zone.com, our Stormforce, Monsoon and Voyager car covers are embedded with a UV-protective coating that minimizes sun damage to the exterior and keeps the car interior cool. In addition to weather protection, a car cover can discourage thieves as they are unable to see what is under the cover and whether it is worth targeting.
Park in Well Lit Areas
Always park near businesses that are likely to be open for long hours or in areas that are well lit as this will reduce the risk of theft or vandalism. Thieves are much more comfortable working on secluded side streets with fewer people driving by. After dark, the risk of theft on side streets increases and parking in busier areas that are well lit reduces the chance of thieves targeting your vehicle.
Hide any Valuables
All items should be hidden inside the car to deter thieves. Car break-ins are often less about the car itself and more about the objects inside. Even seemingly worthless objects like loose change and books may be attractive to a thief trying to make a little money. Placing items under seats can help, but, often, even a glimpse of an object will arouse a thief’s curiosity. Placing all loose items in the boot of the car or inside the glove compartment will deter would-be thieves.
Car covers also works well for security. All Coverzone outdoor covers are available with an optional security locking kit that effectively secures the cover to the car by way of a plastic coated steel cable threading through eyelets in the bottom of the cover. This passes underneath the car between the front and rear wheels and therefore cannot easily be removed by a passerby.
Double-Check Parking Signs
Be sure to check parking restrictions before leaving your car. Most areas are quite lenient and if you overstay or park in the wrong place, the worst outcome might be a parking ticket and a small fine. However, some authorities will now tow your car for parking in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is most common for areas with high volumes of rush hour traffic, bus lanes, or loading bays directly in front of businesses. You need to look for signs indicating resident-only parking times or restricted parking areas.
Every storage situation is different and for that reason we have tailored covers in 7 different fabrics. A member of our expert team will be happy to answer any questions that you may have about covers and storage. Please call us on 01903 764689 or Click here to contact us now.
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