How to Make It Easier to Park Your Car

Many new cars—including the BMW X1 and the Toyota Prius—are available with an automated parking system. Typically found on higher-level trims or as part of an options package, these systems can parallel-park a vehicle without the driver having to provide any steering, acceleration, or brake inputs. Automakers such as Genesis, Hyundai, and Tesla have upped the technology even further with remote parking systems, where the driver doesn’t even have to be in the car. 

Automated Parking Assist Systems
What they do: They use the vehicle’s sensors to pull into a parallel or a perpendicular parking spot for you (meaning a regular nose-in or back-in space). Typically while searching for—or after you stop near a spot—you press a button to activate the system. 

Pros: Most systems do a surprisingly good job of parallel parking and are helpful for trying to squeeze a big vehicle—such as large pickups and SUVs—into a tight spot. 

Cons: Initiating the systems can be tedious, and the entire maneuver is slow compared with a normal driver, especially for perpendicular parking. Some systems are incapable of parking near the center of the spot. 

CR’s take: Most systems can parallel-park on the first try. But if you aren’t comfortable parallel parking, it’s doubtful you’ll be comfortable using this technology because it’s less straightforward than doing it yourself.

Remote Parking Systems
What they do: They can park a car without a driver behind the wheel simply by the driver pressing a button on the key fob or a smartphone app.

Pros: Remote parking can be helpful when you’re forced to park in a tight spot, such as in a parking garage. This means you won’t have to worry about dinging your door or the one on the vehicle next to you.

Cons: Sometimes the vehicle stops before it’s fully in or out of the spot.

CR’s take: It’s helpful for those who routinely park in narrow spaces or need extra space to enter/exit their vehicle, but the inconsistent operation is annoying.

In winter weather or other challenging conditions, the function of Automated Park Assist and Remote parking systems could be interrupted by grime obstructing the ultrasonic sensors. When these sensors can no longer tell what’s around them, related functions (such as parking warnings) can shut down, illuminating a warning light on the dash to warn the driver.

By revealing what’s hidden behind the car, backup cameras help avoid striking pedestrians and other cars while making it easier to pull in or out of a parking spot. Use a camera once and you’ll never want to be without one again. Fortunately, this great feature can be readily added to older cars. Both systems that we tried do mean mounting an aftermarket screen on the dash or from the windshield, and running a power cord to a nearby 12-volt socket.

What it is: A solar-powered backup camera that wirelessly connects with an included 5-inch screen. 

Pros: Easy installation. Settings allow you to choose how long the screen is illuminated. We favored the longest time at 90 seconds.

Cons: You need to turn on the screen manually. The displayed guidelines on the screen were neither accurate nor helpful. This would especially be the case for vehicles with an off-center license plate, like a Ford Maverick. 

CR’s take: The simple installation makes this an easy upgrade for older cars, but it does need to be turned on each time you engage Reverse. 

Price: $221

Where to buy: Best Buy

What it is: A wired backup camera that connects wirelessly to an included 4.3-inch screen. 

Pros: By powering the camera with a lead from the car’s backup lights, this system turns on automatically when Reverse is engaged. It has guidelines, which can be turned off. 

Cons: You need to connect the rear camera to the car’s electrical system. And settings are quite limited. 

CR’s take: Turning on each and every time you back up makes this system more convenient and adds more safety. Some buyers may prefer a mechanic or an electronics technician do the installation. 

Price: $90

Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart

Parking in a busy area, like streetside in a major city, brings the risk that other cars might contact your bumpers as they squeeze into tight parking spaces. We tried a couple of different bumper protectors. It’s clear that these are to protect your car from others because they don’t extend to the corners and the rear mat requires being deployed each time you park.

What it is: A thick foam rubber bumper guard that frames the license plate and sticks out to help protect your car from being scratched or tapped by other vehicles when they’re being parked.

Pros: It’s a cinch to install. This is a “set and forget” feature. 

Cons: The small size limits protection. And it might not fit some vehicles, depending on the space allocated for the license plate. It isn’t suitable for vehicles where the plate is secured just by two top screws because it wouldn’t be securely mounted. 

CR’s take: We like this. We tried it on several cars, and it proved to be easy to install with just a screwdriver each time. We drove cars on our track, listening for wind noise from the bracket, but never heard any. 

Price: $35

Where to buy: Amazon, BumperShox

What it is: A large rubber mat that fastens in the trunk to the carpet-lined cargo floor and hangs over the back. It’s available in different sizes. 

Pros: It provides wide protection over much of the rear bumper. Once secured the first time, it’s easy to fold in and out of the cargo area, making it very easy to use. 

Cons: You need to install it each time you park and tuck it away when it is time to leave. Don’t drive with it on because it may damage the paint and could potentially obscure the license plate or block an exhaust outlet. The strap with the fabric fastener will compress the lower seal on a trunk or hatchback, potentially deforming it over time and affecting weather protection. Might this invite other drivers to go ahead and nudge your car when parking?

CR’s take: We found this worked well on a variety of vehicles with trunk lids and liftgates. Choose the model sized for your vehicle. Our BumperBully included a handy cutout panel to expose the rear license plate, as required in some areas.

Price: $40

Where to buy: Amazon, Bumper Bully

To be used in a garage, these mats are helpful devices for parking a car in a crowded space ensuring you stop in just the right spot. The two we tried came with adhesive tape to help keep them in place. In our experience, they can still move, though. Ultimately, it’s hard to beat suspending a tennis ball from the ceiling on a string because it’s easy to see as you pull in. If nothing else, you won’t trip over the hanging ball.

What it is: A bright yellow parking mat with bumps to indicate where to stop. 

Pros: Inexpensive. 

Cons: This is made of a harder plastic than the Maxsa (below), leaving us to wonder about durability, particularly in the winter. It slides more on the floor than the Maxsa, and it’s narrower, meaning the tire position needs to be more precise. 

CR’s take: This works as expected.

Price: $15

Where to buy: Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart

What it is: A pair of yellow parking mats with bumps to indicate where to stop. 

Pros: We liked the look with the red and white hashes. The softer material seemed to help the mat slide less. Being a hint larger than the Camco, it was easy to park on. 

Cons: A tripping hazard in your garage.

CR’s take: The MAXSA is our pick of this pair.

Price: $38

Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart