How to never lose your parked car again
Have you got a reputation of forgetting where you've parked the car each time you head to the shops? Is the sea of car spots overwhelming and gives you déjà vu? We have some tips for you to conquer the carpark.How many times have you left your car, gone shopping and, coming out, wondered exactly where you parked it? Or worse, gone to a music festival, or a show, returned to it at night, and been unable to locate it in the dark?
No matter whether you are low tech, or hi-tech, there are easy ways to make sure you can always find your parked car fast and easily. Here are five of them.
Photograph your car when you leave it
Yes, you could get out a pen and paper and write down the bay number or aisle but hello 2023! Snap a pic of your car, in its surroundings, and refer to it when you need to relocate it.
If you’re at a live event, try to photograph a landmark such as a tree, rather than just the cars next to it, in case you’re last out.
Take a photo of the entry or exit point too
Sometimes you know where your car is, roughly, but not how to get back to it.
This is common in large shopping centres, or at music festivals with multiple entries and exits. Taking a photo of the one you use, that provides a direct route back to your car, can save you hours of wandering around before driving home.
Use Google Maps to find your car
Take the tech up a level and use Google Maps to record the location of your car. You need to make sure location services are turned on.
Once you have parked your car, open Google Maps and tap on the blue pin that shows where you are. Tap ‘save parking’ to add it to your map.
Ready to return to your car after some dedicated shopping or partying? Open Google Maps, tap on the pin, and find your car. You can even choose to get directions.
Use a parking app
For iPhone users, Find Your Car with AR uses GPS-powered augmented reality to guide you out of that shopping centre or festival and to your vehicle. Simply tap the ‘I parked here’ button when you park your car to mark its location.
Or you can save your car’s location directly from your Apple Watch.
When you want to find your car, open the app and then you will be able to follow the arrow along in augmented reality. No matter where you are, of course, make sure you watch for other cars coming both ways.
Android users can try Find My Car – GPS Navigation to retrace their steps with the help of a pointer. You will need to tap the ‘park’ button and, later, the ‘find my car’ button.
Be a habitual parker
If your brain has plenty of other things to do, try some Pavlovian dog conditioning.
If you have a regular shopping centre, always drive into the same spot or, at least park in the same vicinity. Pretty soon you will habitually find your way back to your car, no photos, maps, or apps required.
Related: Where you should park your car according to maths
Related: Eight simple car parking rules of etiquette we should all follow
Related: Five car key finders you need to know about
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