What's all this about protecting your car in the garage? If you park your car in the garage, isn't it already safe, right?

Yes and no. Yes, your car is shielded from the elements and potential vandals when parked in the garage. However, even within the confines of a garage, your vehicle can encounter various risks that may result in costly damage.

How to Protect Your Car in the Garage

Understanding how your car can be damaged in the garage will allow you to take proactive measures to prevent such damage.

1. Keep the Garage Door Closed

While the main focus should be on securing your car against theft, leaving the garage door open can increase the risk of your car being stolen. Even a small gap can provide an opportunity for thieves to access and steal your vehicle.

2. Know When to Stop

Most homeowners use their garages for purposes beyond just parking cars, which often results in limited space. This can make it challenging to determine exactly where to stop when reversing into the garage. A simple yet effective trick is to hang a tennis ball from the ceiling. Position the car as far back as possible without hitting anything, then hang the tennis ball so it just grazes the windshield. Next time you park, drive the car into the garage until the windshield touches the ball. This eliminates any guesswork regarding the distance between your car and obstacles.

If you prefer a high-tech solution, LiftMaster, a leading garage door opener manufacturer, offers a laser-guided parking assist accessory.

3. Protect Your Doors

Another common issue arises when there isn’t enough space in the garage to fully open the car doors. To avoid accidental damage to the doors, attach foam pool noodles to the walls or any areas where the doors might collide. This precaution ensures peace of mind whenever you need to get in or out of your vehicle.

Your car is a significant investment. Implementing these few strategies can go a long way toward safeguarding it. If you're considering upgrading your garage door or opener for added security, feel free to reach out to us at Whitby Garage Doors.