Garages are important for keeping your car protecting from sun damage, weather damage and theft. They’re ideal for places with lots of snow or extreme heat.
Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to have private, covered garage space for parking our cars. And some of us just have so much stuff in the garage that we don’t end up parking there!
But never fear, there are many other ways you can keep your car in great shape, even without the luxury of a private parking garage:
1. Wax your car. Car waxes aren’t just for the major car enthusiasts. Waxing is an excellent, relatively inexpensive way to protect your car from bugs, acid rain, scratches, and other corrosion. It makes your car shinier and easier to wash. And it also helps prevent paint chips! Do your ride a favor and invest in a monthly waxing.
2. Invest in a car cover. Even if you’re already in the habit of waxing your car, you can take things a step further and give your car some nightly (or daily) beauty rest. A car cover will keep your interior and exterior from fading, as well as provide protection from weather and other elements — even more than a wax! Do some research and find a cover made for the weather in your area, and you won’t regret it.
3. Look for housing with a steel carport. If you’re living in the city or in an apartment complex, specifically look for housing that includes access to a steel carport. It’s not quite the same as a garage, but it will provide some coverage. And if you already live in a place that doesn’t have one, you could even look into building one yourself!
4. Avoid parking by messy trees. Every time you park your car, get in the habit of looking up! Trees can be huge culprit for ruining paint jobs or even causing chips and cracks in windows. Make sure you don’t park under trees that drop anything messy.
5. Look for shade. After saying to avoid trees, this may sound like a contradictory tip, but there are plenty of other spots that will provide shade for your vehicle. Look for covered parking lots, spots by building walls or trees that don’t drop anything, and you’ll save your paint job from sun damage.
6. Schedule regular car washes. Nothing corrodes your paint job faster than gunk and grime that sits on your car for weeks on end. Make sure to regularly and thoroughly wash your car to preserve the vibrancy and quality of your paint. Be quick to hit up the car wash after a big snow fall – the salt in the ice melt is terrible for your car!
7. Get a car alarm system. We’ve talked a lot about protecting the quality of your car, but what about the safety of your car? Thieves are much less likely to break into a car when it’s nestled safely in the garage, so you may want to invest in a serious car alarm system if you don’t have a garage to park your car in. They’ve got some fancy ones out there these days — you can even get ones that prevent a thief from driving away!
8. Park in high traffic areas. This is another tip concerning the safety of your car. By parking in areas with lots of other drivers and pedestrians, the likelihood of someone being bold enough to take your car goes way down. Look for parking spots in busy areas that are well-lit, and try to park your car as close to your house as possible.