Holiday errands mean crowded lots, tight spaces, and distracted drivers. A few smart choices about where you park can prevent door dings, bumper scrapes, and cart marks. Here is a practical guide our technicians share with customers before the busy season starts.

Look for Natural Buffers, Not Just Empty Spaces

Spaces next to curbs, islands, or walls give you a protected side. If one side is blocked, only one side is exposed to doors and carts. Favor end spots where you can nudge slightly to the safe side inside the lines.

Pull forward only if you have a full view through the space ahead. Blind pull-throughs can create nose damage when another driver enters from the other aisle.

Pick the Right Neighbors

Size and spacing matter. Parking beside a larger vehicle increases the chance of door contact because doors open wider and higher. Newer cars with child seats often need wide swings, too. When possible, choose neighbors with clean, undamaged doors and mirrors.

Drivers who care for their cars tend to open doors carefully. If a spot sits between two crookedly parked vehicles, skip it. A straight space two rows away is cheaper than a paint repair.

Avoid Cart Lanes and Return Corridors

Carts roll downhill and follow the wind. Do not park in the direct line between the store entrance and the cart corral. In sloped lots, face uphill when possible so a loose cart tends to roll away from your bumper, not into it.

If you must park near a cart return, choose the space one or two spots past it rather than directly adjacent. That simple offset keeps carts from bumping your panels when someone lets go early.

Use Angled Parking to Your Advantage

Angled spaces reduce the swing of doors from the car beside you. They also make it easier to enter and exit without a tight turn. When backing into an angled spot, keep your wheels straight as you finish so you sit centered.

If two angled rows face each other, do not pull through unless you can see that both aisles are clear. We see many front bumper scrapes from drivers pulling through into moving traffic that they could not see.

Mind the Concrete Stops and High Curbs

Low stops and tall curbs can crack splitters, scrape bumpers, and tear splash shields. Stop with your front tires just before the block, not on it. If your vehicle sits low, avoid spaces where the curb is taller than usual or set far back from the line.

When in doubt, back into the space so your rear bumper, which is usually higher, sits near the stop, and your front fascia stays clear of hidden concrete.

Plan for Door Swing and Loading Zones

Give minivans and SUVs extra respect. Sliding doors are usually safe, but rear hatch lids swing out and can tag your hood if you park too close. If you expect the neighboring driver to load strollers or large boxes, leave a little more room by centering perfectly.

For your own loading, consider a spot with a curb or island on the passenger side so you can open wide for kids and bags without risking a neighboring door.

Think Lighting, Sightlines, and Foot Traffic

Damage often happens when people and drivers cannot see each other. Park under lights at dusk or after dark. Choose spaces with clear sightlines to aisle traffic. Avoid the ends of long, dark rows where rushing drivers cut corners.

Near storefronts, park a few spaces past the busiest crosswalks so carts and pedestrians do not pass inches from your paint all evening.

Back In When It Helps, Pull In When It Does Not

Backing in gives you a clean exit and keeps your front bumper away from curbs. It works best in straight rows with good visibility. Pull in when angled parking or heavy pedestrian traffic makes backing complicated.

If your backup camera is foggy or the lens is dirty from rain, wipe it quickly before you maneuver. A clear view saves your paint and your nerves.

Small Habits That Prevent Big Repairs

• Center the car within the lines and fold mirrors if space is tight
• Leave a car length from areas where carts collect or roll
• Do a slow walk around before pulling out during peak hours
• Keep a soft microfiber towel in the door to wipe cameras and sensors after rain

Get Mobile Dent and Paint Repair Anywhere in Florida with Morrison Corp Mobile Body & Paint

If a cart or door still finds your panel, we can come to you. Our technicians handle paintless dent repair, scuff and scratch refinishing, and bumper touchups at your home or office.

Book a visit with Morrison Corp Mobile Body & Paint and head into the season with a plan to park smarter and a team ready to fix the occasional mishap.