The psychology of parking

[solaskaze]

I don't like door dings. I try to park to not get dinged, and not ding.
It's not working. What am I doing wrong?

1. The far away: parking in the middle of b-f nowhere in a wide open parking lot, not under shade or special. My car attracts parkers like moths to a flame. All kinds.
2. The no-one-wants that space: park next to a space no one should want (many other spots available): it's tiny. It's short. Something. Nope: the SUV drives in with 2 inches to spare
3. The please-help-yourself: just recently, I parked my R1T next to a spot with TONS of space to its right (a no-parking grid). I did park slightly to the right of my slot, giving more than ample room for the car on my left. I figured any parker to the right would use up the more than extra space: nope, they parked in fact closer to me, and gear guard showed them open their door right into my car.
4. The I'm a hog, I will use two spaces: won't do it. bad karma.

What mind trick is left?

Sponsored

 

[iforbes]

Funny, but not funny. I wish I had the answers.

 

[Polar]

Buy some rock sliders or running boards and park in off-road highest.

 

[f1racer328]

I tend to only park in corner spots, and hug the curb as much as I can without curbing my wheels.

I'm the same way though. Will park out in the middle of nowhere, and someone ends up next to me. Drives me nuts.

 

[Mellowyellow]

dude....its because we have awesome cars and people are curious

 

[R1Tom]

I put mine in Off Road top suspension when I can't park where I want. Seems to help. Wish the app would allow me to lower before making my wife climb back in...

 

[iansriv]

I don't like door dings. I try to park to not get dinged, and not ding.
It's not working. What am I doing wrong?

1. The far away: parking in the middle of b-f nowhere in a wide open parking lot, not under shade or special. My car attracts parkers like moths to a flame. All kinds.
2. The no-one-wants that space: park next to a space no one should want (many other spots available): it's tiny. It's short. Something. Nope: the SUV drives in with 2 inches to spare
3. The please-help-yourself: just recently, I parked my R1T next to a spot with TONS of space to its right (a no-parking grid). I did park slightly to the right of my slot, giving more than ample room for the car on my left. I figured any parker to the right would use up the more than extra space: nope, they parked in fact closer to me, and gear guard showed them open their door right into my car.
4. The I'm a hog, I will use two spaces: won't do it. bad karma.

What mind trick is left?

You must be following me around because this is my life! I hear you mate! And I thought I was the only one on the planet. LMK if you find a solution or good therapist.

 

[beatle]

Buy a Cybertruck. I know they're an easy target to clown on, but the cold rolled steel body is pretty nice and makes you invincible to door dings.

Otherwise I don't know if there's much you can really do other than parking in the center of spaces that already have enough space, then pray Mr. Magoo doesn't park next to you. Parking a bit further out may help a bit. Perhaps people park next to you in those cases because they believe you did so because you care about door dings and they believe you'll be as motivated not to hit their doors as they (hopefully) have been not to hit yours.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Buy some rock sliders or running boards and park in off-road highest.

This is the way

 

[Underwhirled]

Ha, there is no solution. I get this one a great deal. There can be 20 empty spaces around my truck, and then somebody in a giant Dodge or a Raptor — wait for it ...

... backs in so that their driver's door is 3" from my driver's door! All the other spots remain empty.

Come the F on people. At least give me half-a-chance to keep the driver's door free of dings. Ding the other damn doors so I don't have to look at it every time I get in the truck.

Every day. Every damn day...

 

[tjmsquared]

I have a few strategies for avoiding door dings and it has worked for me so far.

1. If a lot has parallel parking, then use that first. I've never had someone bump my car from a parallel parking space.
2. Park on at the end of the row and as far towards the curb / edge of the spot as possible.
3. Park far away from the entrance so the spot next to me is not desirable.
4. Park so that the car next to me will have their passenger side door next to me if they pull in. I've found that people who take the time to back in are generally better about not opening their door into the people who park next to them.

 

[Ingo B]

If I have to park next to someone, I try to find a vehicle nicer than mine. Chances are, they'll be careful. That said, it was easier when I was driving my beater Ridgeline. The Rivian is still pretty new so pickin's are a bit slim.

 

[VSG]

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...e-a-rivian-you-park-next-to-the-rivian.11517/

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I try to park between two existing cars or an existing car and a wall or barrier. Then hopefully I can be out of wherever I am before the people I’m parked next to. I haven’t gotten any door dings in a while. Maybe I’m just lucky.

 

[mudito]

My parking psychology works in the following way.:

1) Freaking far away. But like impossibly far. I'll walk 300ft under Texas' heat just to avoid these situations.

2) if #1 isn't an option, I look out for the spot with the two nicest cars. Not the most expensive, but those cars that look that their owners do care (rare, but possible).

After 8 years living here and being a maniac about parking, the only door ding I ever had (knock on wood) was in the rear door of my 'fun weekend' car parked in my own garage next to my wife's former SUV (perfectly aligned with the door my son used)....

Sponsored