Silly car question How to avoid door dings?
In a big car park it’s your shiny sheet metal against the world. Here’s how to win, writes David Linklater.
Car park ‘‘door dings’’ are the curse of the car-proud. We’re talking about those tiny dents you sometimes get in side-by-side parks from other people opening their doors on your vehicle (or maybe a quick thrust with a supermarket trolley).
You can’t avoid parking in these places if you’re in a densely populated area, but there is a lot you can do to minimise (and occasionally eliminate) the chance of getting a crease in your precious sheet metal.
In case you’re thinking this is a niche problem for niche people, think again: it’s such a huge issue that Citroen even made a car specifically designed to ward off car park damage.
The original Cactus (2014-18) had large ‘‘Airbumps’’ along the side that repelled careless door use and actually looked really cool as well. If only all cars were so equipped.
Around this point you might also be asking: is it worth spending more time than you have to go crawling around a car park, looking for that perfect spot to protect your car? The answer is yes. Of course it is.
The end is truly the beginning
In ancient times, when traffic was sparse and car parks a pleasure, elders often spoke of a mystical thing called the ‘‘end park’’.
This was a space right on the end of a row, which allowed you to halve the chance of getting a doording because there was only another car on one side of you.
These can sometimes still be found and they are highly prized. Car people write poems about them.
In fact, an end park does better than halving the chance of damage because you can also position your vehicle a little further towards the clear side than you normally would, giving the vehicle next to you more doorswinging space.
Don’t get trolleyed
There is one type of end park that is dark to the light we have just spoken of: the one next to the trolley bay at a supermarket. Put you car next to the place where people discard their trolleys is asking for it. Because ‘‘discard’’ is putting it kindly – many simply thrust their empty trolleys in the general direction of the bay, and whatever they hit, they hit.
Keep away from any area where trolleys are likely to congregate, actually: near the front door of the store or along a supermarket-adjacent footpath, because trolleys have a habit of falling off the kerb and onto your front bumper or guard.
SUVs and utes are evil
If you don’t drive a larger SUV or ute, try not to park next to one. It creates a situation fraught with potential damage.
For a start, if you have a normal car and you’re next to an SUV, the difference in height means the door openings won’t match and there’s more potential for a dent in an unsightly place.
That goes double for the bottom corner of an SUV or ute door. Many modern models have rounded or clad lower doors, but many don’t. That sharp corner can really punch a dent in an obvious place on your shiny hatchback.
If you do actually drive an SUV or ute (most people do these days), then carry on terrifying the rest of us at Countdown.
Boo babies
Parents of young children: we love your bubs. Really.
But the brutal truth is that a car with a baby seat in the back is like a contagious disease when it comes to car park smarts.
Some parents are very careful, some really aren’t. Regardless, we all know it’s virtually impossible to get a child in or out of a car seat without swinging the door wide open and leaning on it a fair bit.
Unless the parent is an athlete or does pilates four times a week. Which is possible in some of the better suburbs.
Don’t be fooled by sliding doors
You might look at a vehicle with sliding doors (like a van or people mover) and think ‘‘sweet, that can’t hurt me’’. That’s true, the door can’t.
But it’s a high-risk, highreward strategy because a vehicle with sliding doors is also much more likely to be carrying a lot of people or a lot of stuff.
That means many more bodies around your vehicle – and bodies wear clothes with metal domes and zips.
Living on the edge
Take a glance at the edge of the front door on the car you’re parking next to. If it has scratches, scrapes or chipped paint it’s likely that the driver or occupant isn’t too worried about letting the door fall open on solid objects. Like your beautiful car.
If it’s a car with those hideous plastic caps on the door edge designed to protect their paint (but nobody else’s), that’s way worse. You know that person will open their door like an oaf. Drive, don’t walk, away.
Be a snob (but still be nice)
Hey, we’re not here to judge your vehicle. Car care might not be your thing.
But let’s be honest, if you park next to a vehicle that’s noticeably battle-scarred, you’re more likely to cop a dent than when you’re parked next to somebody’s luxury sedan.
Be lonely
We do tend to herd in parking lots, don’t we?
But sometimes there will be a section of car park that’s deserted. Assuming it’s safe and still clearly visible to the public, why not go and park there? The extra walk might also do you good.
Buy a plastic car
The ultimate anti-ding move is to buy a car with plastic panels. Then you never have to worry.
Our top pick: a BMW i3 or, if you’re on a budget, a second-hand Smart ForTwo.
Or a Citroen Cactus, of course, which is not entirely plastic but certainly the next best thing.