Why you should park your car in a garage

Your car deserves that parking garage spot. Learn how parking in a garage can keep your car looking new, secure from theft, and free from the wear and tear caused by the environment.

These days, it’s rare to hear someone say they’re actually using their garage for parking their car.

If you ask a homeowner with one, they’ll more likely say it’s being used as an extra living space, a room to store their tools or equipment or a workshop.

In most cases, people use the empty space as a purgatory for items or furniture they’re not using, but also don’t want to let go of.

And it’s a common trend among American households.  A recent survey of detached homeowners in Sacramento showed that 37 percent or one in three homeowners didn’t store a single car in their garage.

In San Francisco‘s Mission District, a study of 97 residential garages revealed that a surprising 49% percent of them were not used for parking cars.

Even in The Big Apple, where parking is notoriously expensive, homeowners are not really using their garages for its intended purpose. A  New York Metropolitan Transportation Council’s survey showed only 13% of households with a garage space used it for parking.

For others, parking in a garage feels like an inconvenience. Why bother maneuvering into a tight space when you have a driveway or there’s street parking available?

However, parking in the garage can have many benefits for your vehicle.  Here are 7 reasons an owner should clear out space and park in the garage:

7 benefits of parking your car in a garage

1. Protect your car from weather elements

Keeping your car safe from weather elements is probably the most obvious benefit of storing your car in your garage.

Most people underestimate how much wear and tear can come from exposure to harsh weather conditions. Even if you don’t experience extreme weather conditions,  rain, wind, mud and  heat can still damage your car in different ways.

Acid rain and wind

Acid rain, a common problem in the Northeast due to air pollution, eats away at paint and metal over time. Wind constantly bombards your car with dust and debris, gradually wearing down the paint job.

Mud

Mud  can obscure visibility, while also increasing weight and drag which in turn reduce fuel efficiency.  It can even cause corrosion, particularly in areas prone to rust.

Heat

Finally, extreme heat wreaks havoc on various components: it dries out tires, making them more likely to blow out, evaporates battery fluid which reduces power, and accelerates gas evaporation, leading to worse fuel economy.

A garage provides shelter from bad weather conditions and prevents damage to the paint job, exterior, and interior of the car. Just the harmful effects of weather-related issues should convince you that garage parking is a must!

2. Keeps your car in good condition during winter

There are plenty of benefits of storing your car in a garage in winter.

For starters, it’s more convenient to park your vehicle in a garage when the cold weather hits. Provided that you have a properly insulated and heated garage, you have a warm car waiting for you in the morning during the winter months.

You can also say goodbye to brushing off or scraping snow or ice in the morning. Also, it lessens the chance of your paint job and windshield wipers getting damage.

Your car’s interior will also thank you if you choose to park in a garage. Shielded from the chilly weather, your car’s vital fluids like engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid are less likely to thicken. This ensures they can lubricate internal components faster upon starting your car.

3. Protect your car from sun and UV rays

UV rays can cause premature fading of vehicle paint jobs and interior colors, leading to worn upholstery, cracked steering wheels, and faded dashboards.

Sun exposure for a prolonged period can result in paint bubbling, cracking, chipping, and peeling, as well as interior material damage such as cracking, fading, and warping. 

And while using a windshield sunshade and applying wax offer some protection, parking in a garage provides the best defense against these issues.

4. Prevent damage from falling debris and other elements 

It’s not just bad weather you have to worry about when you park your car outside. You also have to factor in other environmental hazards that can damage your car. 

Some bird droppings contain acid that can eat away a car’s protective layers. And in hot weather, acidic bird droppings can get through a vehicle’s metal in as few as 48 hours.

 And although parking under the trees offers some level of protection from the sun, you need to look out for sap and pollen. 

Sap can etch through a car’s clear coat over time, which causes permanent staining and discoloration. Meanwhile, pollen and dust can clog your air filters and lower fuel efficiency. This, in turn, can cause problems in the air conditioning system. 

Drivers who choose to park their cars outside should also be wary of falling branches, as these can cause significant damage to your car’s exterior. In a worst-case scenario, your car could be severely damaged or even totaled if a tree falls on it.

If you live in an area near the beach like Miami,  salty ocean winds can be extremely corrosive. Also, too much sand can clog your car’s air filter, which can potentially make it overheat and cause internal damage to your vehicle.

Parking your vehicle in a safe enclosed space like a garage gives you the peace of mind that your car won’t be exposed to outside hazards. Plus, who wouldn’t want a clean vehicle free from bird poop, sap and dust?  

5. Lower risk of theft 

Parking your vehicle in a  garage can protect your vehicle from being stolen. The simple act of locking your garage doors acts as a deterrent to thieves.

Taking additional measures, such as adding security cameras and alarm systems in your garage, provides extra layers of protection against theft.

Many vehicle owners become too complacent and think their cars are safe by parking in their own driveways or on the street in front of their house.

But keeping your car parked outside on a daily basis increases the risk of your car and the valuables it contains being stolen.

 Every 41 seconds, a car is stolen in the US, according to FBI crime statistics. In some cases,  individuals have had their cars stolen after leaving them running to warm up on a cold morning!

Learn more by reading our in-depth guide on how to keep your vehicle safe from thieves. 

6. Reduce risk of being vandalized

Next to your home, a car is the biggest investment you’ll probably make in your life. The average price of a new vehicle in the US is $47,000, but costs can soar much higher for luxury or specialized models.

And like any other investment, your car should be protected. Parking your car outside can leave it exposed to vandalism. This can include scratching the paint, keying the car, breaking windows, slashing tires, spray painting graffiti, or any other deliberate act that damages the vehicle’s appearance or functionality.

Keeping your car in a garage eliminates the temptation for those who might want to damage a vehicle in any way.

7. Lower car insurance rates

Keeping your car in a locked garage overnight can potentially lead to a discount on your car insurance.

Insurance companies view garaged vehicles as lower risk because they’re less susceptible to theft and vandalism.

When your car is parked safely inside, your car is less likely to be targeted by thieves or damaged by harsh weather or falling objects. This generally means lower chance of needing to file an insurance claim, which insurance companies reward with lower premiums.

While the exact discount amount varies depending on your provider and policy, it’s worth checking with them to see if garaged car storage qualifies you for a cheaper insurance rate.

So, by simply parking your car in the garage, you’re not only protecting it from wear and tear, but you might also be saving money on your insurance. 

Finding long-term garage parking is easier with Spacer!

Parking your car in a garage offers many benefits.It protects your vehicle from the wear and tear from harsh weather,  lowers the risk of theft and helps you save on maintenance, repair and even insurance costs.

But if your home doesn’t have a garage or your workplace doesn’t offer covered parking, you don’t have to settle for a vulnerable spot on the street.

 To find a monthly parking garage near you, Spacer offers a convenient and affordable solution! We connect drivers with a network of secure parking options, including garages, near your work or home. Discover a garage near you in New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, San Diego and more! 

To help you get started, read our guide on how to find monthly parking near you with Spacer.