5 of the Best Ways to Find Your Car in a Crowded Parking Lot

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    Have you ever parked in a packed parking lot, gone into a mall to shop, and then had difficulty finding your vehicle? If so, you’re not alone. It happens to many motorists in parking lots big and small.

    Unless you’re purposeful about parking in locations you’ll easily find, locating your car might be like finding a needle in a haystack. Such scenarios can be frustrating, time-wasting, and even embarrassing if it’s obvious to others that you have no clue where your car is.

    The good news, however, is you can avoid this type of problem. Here are five ways to find your car in a crowded parking lot so you can be on your way.

    5 of the Best Ways to Find Your Car in a Crowded Parking Lot

    1. Make a Mental Note

    One way to prevent scenarios that have you wandering around aimlessly is to make a mental note of where you park. It seems simple enough, but it’s easier said than done. If you have other things on your mind, you might park, exit the vehicle, close and lock the door, and head to the mall without registering exactly where you’re parked. That can make it difficult to easily identify your vehicle afterward.

    2. Park Close to Something Easily identifiable

    Another way to make it easier to find your vehicle is to park close to something you’ll easily find. For instance, if there’s a parking spot in front of a specific store, parking there can make retrieval easy. So, too, can parking near a shopping cart station or a sign.

    No matter how crowded the parking lot is, you’ll find your vehicle without feeling like you’re in a confusing maze.

    3. Custom License Plate

    Yet another way to make your vehicle easier to spot in a packed parking lot is to invest in custom license plates.

    Even if you drive a common commuter car with a plain-jane style, custom license plates will make your vehicle a one-of-a-kind ride. It’s not just about aesthetics either, though going this route can up the style factor. Custom license plates can also provide functional benefits by making it easier to find your ride in a crowded parking lot.

    For the best options, find a company specializing in custom license plates. While you can get custom license plates with your name, that’s not the only customization option. If you patronize the right company, you can customize based on vehicle brands, religious affiliations, sports and hobbies, national flags, and more. You can get something that makes it easier to pick your car out of a lineup.

    4. GPS Technology

    If you want to use technology to make it easier to locate your car in a packed parking lot, there’s an app for that. Actually, there are several apps for that. Whether you have an iPhone, Android, or a smartphone based on another platform, you can get an app using GPS tech. Such apps can pinpoint where you’re parked so that finding your ride is a piece of cake.

    5. Activate the Alarm

    You can also use your keyfob to activate your car’s alarm. It can be jarring for anyone in the vicinity, but it’s also a great way to locate your car. Using this method probably won’t endear you to others in the parking lot. But a blaring car alarm might be all it takes to find your car quickly.

    While it’s not uncommon for people to have a hard time finding their vehicles in packed parking lots, there are ways to remedy this problem. If it happens to you, don’t lose your cool. Try one or more of these strategies to find your lost car.