Tight spots, tickets, and traffic—oh my! Parking has the potential to be the stuff of nightmares, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some of the most frightful parking scenarios, and what you can do to avoid and resolve them.
The Ghosted Key
Perhaps one of the most frustrating experiences for a driver is seeing your keys on the seat of your locked car. This is a stressful situation for sure, but luckily it’s one with plenty of solutions, some of which won’t cost you anything.
Before you call roadside assistance, look to see if you’re near a gas station or an attended parking lot. There’s a good chance the manager there has experience with this problem and can help you in a matter of minutes! If this major inconvenience turns into a regular occurrence, consider investing in a spare key and a concealed lock box, or in a roadside assistance system like OnStar or AAA. While these options come with a price tag, they will save you time and money in the long run.
The Wicked Ticket
Parking tickets are an unfortunate reality for most city-dwellers, and the cost can add up quickly. The key to preventing them is having a strategy, particularly for streets where parking schedules change due to weather, cleaning, or events.
Save a picture or note of any local parking restrictions on your phone so you can reference it easily when parking. Consider setting up a few reminders or alarms for the days and times your car must be moved. If you’re a regular street-parker, calculate what circling the block is really costing you; it may be more affordable and a better use of your time to pay for off-street parking on days when it’s especially restrictive.
The Pricked Tire
Flat tires are something that few drivers expect, but it pays to be prepared. If you’re not familiar with how to change a tire, take some time to learn how before you find yourself in an emergency situation. There are a lot of resources available online, and you don’t want to be rushing to YouTube while you’re stuck on the side of the road!
The best way to prevent flats is to inspect tires regularly and replace them as necessary. You can click here to learn when it’s time to get tires replaced, and how to choose the best ones for your driving needs. If you do get a flat tire and don’t have a spare on hand, be sure you have the necessary tools to repair it, like emergency sealant or a patch kit. Tools like these are a temporary fix, so be sure to inspect the tire as soon as it’s safe for you to do so and determine if it needs to be replaced—that’s right, you may not need to replace a flat tire! Punctures up to ¼’’ in diameter can be safely repaired at a body shop.
The Buried Buggy
It may not seem like it, but cold weather is just around the corner. Don’t get buried under the first snow without the proper tools to free your car.
Get in the habit of stocking a snow shovel and an ice scraper in your trunk or back seat. It’s better to have them and not need them. Wheels spinning like mad in your spot? Consider keeping a secret weapon on hand: cat litter! Spreading this underneath your tires can help your car get traction and ensure you’re not stuck in your spot all day.
At SpotHero, our goal is to help our customers park with ease. Whether that’s booking a valet lot so you don’t have to worry about losing track of your keys, a spot with an attendant who can assist if there are any unexpected problems with your car, or covered and off-street parking so you’re protected from parking tickets and weather. Click here to book parking today!