Parking small? Avoid these 5 parking mistakes

by | May 8, 2025 | Blog

Who hasn’t bumped a mirror or scraped a wall trying to park in a tight garage? 

We’ve all been there, those narrow, unforgiving spaces that turn a simple parking job into a stressful game of inches. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the five most common mistakes drivers make in cramped garages and, more importantly, show you how Spinsy helps you park smarter, safer, and with less stress.

Mistake 1: Driving in without checking your measurements

When you’re rushing home or focused on finding the remote, it’s easy to underestimate just how little margin you have. One wrong angle, and suddenly you’re squeezing between two walls, risking scratches and dents.

Many drivers assume if they fit once, they can fit every time, but even small variations in approach can make a big difference. Without clear references or visual guides, it’s almost impossible to consistently align your car correctly.

Why does this happen?

  • Lack of visual markers.
  • No clear point of reference.
  • Overconfidence after “getting lucky” a few times.

Simple fix: Mark visual guides on the floor or walls to line up your car properly. Parking aids like simple mirrors, laser guides, or even paint lines help you stay consistent.

How Spinsy helps: With Spinsy, you don’t need to awkwardly adjust your approach. 

Just drive straight onto the platform, and let it rotate you into perfect position, no stressful lining up, no guessing.

Spinsy takes the uncertainty out of parking in tight spaces.

Mistake 2: Overestimating the width of your car

“It’ll fit,” you tell yourself … until you hear that gut-wrenching sound of a side mirror scraping.

It’s easy to assume your vehicle fits just because you’ve parked before. But SUVs, larger sedans, and trucks often leave far less breathing room than drivers realise. Mirrors, door handles, and even wheel arches take up more space than you might think.

Tip: Before committing, measure your garage’s true width and compare it to your car’s full profile, mirrors included. Always allow extra margin for easier entry and exit.

How Spinsy helps: Spinsy takes the stress out of tight clearances.

Instead of wrangling your vehicle back and forth, Spinsy rotates you smoothly into place, eliminating the “inch-by-inch” struggle. You stay centered and controlled every time.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the slope of the floor

Not all garage floors are perfectly level and even a slight incline can make parking feel unpredictable.

A sloping floor can cause your vehicle to roll differently, making it harder to park precisely and increasing the risk of bumps or scrapes. You might think you’re lined up perfectly, only for gravity to nudge your car slightly off course.

Other risks include:

  • Rolling into walls or other vehicles.
  • Unstable parking positions that stress your brakes.
  • Increased risk of slipping during rainy conditions.

Solution: If you’re designing or updating your driveway or garage, ensure proper levelling and drainage. For existing garages, adding simple wheel stops or rubber blocks can help.

Where Spinsy fits in: Spinsy’s engineered surface-mounted design provides a stable, level platform, even if your existing floor isn’t perfect. 

The turntable manages rotation safely, removing the fight against gravity and making every parking experience consistent and controlled.

Mistake 4: Neglecting basic maintenance

Sometimes, the garage isn’t the problem, it’s the condition of the floor or rollers.

Dust, debris, or cracked surfaces can affect how well you maneuver, especially in tight spaces. Over time, uneven floors or clogged garage door tracks make small errors more likely — and more costly.

Consequences of poor maintenance:

  • Increased wear and tear on tires.
  • Higher risk of skidding or misjudging distances.
  • Damage to flooring, door tracks, and vehicle alignment.

Quick fix: Clean your garage floor regularly, check for cracks or crumbling surfaces, and ensure any moving parts (like door tracks or sensor lines) are properly lubricated. Minor upkeep can extend the life of your garage and protect your car.

How Spinsy helps: Spinsy’s durable, low-maintenance surface stays reliable with minimal effort. Regular inspections and simple cleaning keep it performing effortlessly for years, reducing one more thing you have to worry about.

H2 Mistake 5: Making multiple unnecessary manoeuvres

You inch forward. You back up. You correct it again. And again. Parking should not feel like an endless dance, but in tight garages, that’s exactly what often happens.

Repeated adjustments not only waste time but also increase the likelihood of accidents, frustration, and unnecessary wear on your vehicle.

What happens when you manoeuvre too much:

  • Driver fatigue and frustration.
  • Increased risk of collisions.
  • Longer parking times, leading to rushed exits.
  • Higher stress levels every time you arrive home.

Smarter way: Plan your parking in advance, approach slowly, and visualise your movement in one smooth action.

Spinsy’s advantage: Spinsy eliminates the endless back-and-forth. Drive forward, rotate into the best angle, and park in one smooth, controlled motion, no second tries needed. You save time, reduce stress, and protect your car in the process.

Conclusion: Say goodbye to parking mistakes

Now you know the five most common mistakes drivers make when parking in tight garages and more importantly, how to avoid them.

From missing measurements to overestimating space, minor oversights can lead to major headaches. 

But with simple planning, maintenance, and the right tools, like a Spinsy turntable, parking can become a smooth, stress-free part of your day.
Want to see how Spinsy can transform your parking experience? Visit spinsy.com.au or schedule a demo with our team today.