Late Night Parking Safety

Its funny how mundane day-to-day tasks can leave us full of anxiety when we must conduct them under the guise of night. One activity that no doubt can create some anxiety is parking and returning to your car in an empty street or car parking lot. This can also be a frequent experience with working late at work or returning home after a late night out with friends. Fortunately there are some simple tips you can take note of to keep an eye on your safety and make yourself feel more secure the next time you make a late night trip.

Tips for parking your car late at night

-Try to park your car in a well-lit, busy area.

-When parking in more secluded places, make sure to look around before getting out of your vehicle.

-Do not leave your car in parking lots where attendants leave vehicle doors unlocked or request to hold your keys. If you must, leave only your ignition key.

-Ask the parking attendant whether the lot will still be attended to and well-lit when you return.

-When parking in large underground or enclosed lots be extra cautious of the surroundings. Walk in the center aisles rather than between the parked cars. If you have the choice, park in lots that have security patrols or an attendant. Areas that have heavy pedestrian or vehicle traffic would also be preferred.

-When parking in any type of lot, try to park close to a walkway or building entrance. Always avoid parking far away from others.

-Be aware of your environment before exiting your vehicle. Turn off your engine, listen for any sounds. Use your mirrors to help scan the area.

Tips for returning to your car late at night

-Upon approaching your vehicle be aware of your surroundings. The best possible situation is if you can clearly see your vehicle from a safe distance. Are there any obstructions that are limiting your view?

-Check under the vehicle from a distance to make sure that no one is hiding under your car. As you move closer, be alert to other vehicles parked close by.

-Suspicious situations would include: an occupied vehicle parked close by, or a nearby vehicle in which you cannot see inside. Also, be cautious of any suspicious person approaching as you near your car.

-If there is a group of individuals near you car: do not attempt to approach your car, immediately contact police or a security officer for an escort.

-If your car looks odd, or perhaps has a flat tire, leave at once and seek help.

-Visually check the front and rear passenger compartments before entering. If you own a hatchback check the rear compartment as well.

-Have your key in your hand before reaching your car.

-Consider installing a remote car starter. As you approach your vehicle in a parking lot, activate the signal to start your car. Many car starters illuminate the parking lights as they start. During the evening hours, this may deter an aggressor who might think that there is someone else in the car waiting for you.

-If your instincts tell you that something is not right, leave the situation immediately and request an escort from building security, a store manager, or contact the police. Ignoring your instincts if you do not feel safe is simply not worth the risk.

From familyhomesecurity.com

Amanda On:

Amanda Lukens, Service Technician and Accessory Specialist, took the time out of her busy day to do an interview with me.

DVD Players
Keeps the kids quiet. I’d have one. They can play two different DVD’s or the same one on both screens. You can listen to the audio through the speakers so the passengers don’t have to have headphones. For example, my daughter is too young to wear the headphones; she would just take them off. The fact that the audio comes through the speakers is a huge plus and you can control them with a remote. It’s a really cool option.

Satellite Radios
I love to install these because I like to hang out in the trunk and I like taking the car apart. That’s my favorite. Whenever I am activating the XM or Sirius radios, I listen to the comedy channel so it makes it even more fun.

Spoilers and Body Lines
Spoilers are fun to do because I get to drill holes in brand new cars. When I first started, I was so scared to drill the five holes in the trunk lid, but I love to do it now. People walk by and say, “What are you doing to that car?!” It looks really good when it’s done and it makes me feel great to add even more style to a beautiful car. The same with the body side moldings. They look so nice.

Clear Shields
It’s kind of like tint, but stretchier and thicker. I cut it to the shape of the car with a machine, heat it up, and form it to the front of the car. I’ve got one on my car and I love it. It protects from rocks, bugs, and debris. I’ve been driving behind a truck before and thought, “Oh, I hope that rock hit the shield.” The investment is absolutely worth it and truly improves the resale value. Once, a dog jumped up on the car and the shield protected the paint even from that. No scratches. So I guess it protects the car from bugs, rocks, and dogs.

IPod Kits
You can buy the after-market adaptors you plug into your cigarette lighter. Not the best sound quality and they look messy. With ours, they have excellent audio quality and they plug into the back of your radio so you can control the IPod on your navigation screen or through your radio controls. This way, you can drive more safely and it’s less of a hassle. Normally, the IPod goes in the glove box where it’s out of sight and it can be charging at the same too. We can do the same thing with the IPhone. We offer the best quality; it’s Lexus. A sharp interior without a clutter and perfect sound is what we hope to offer.

K40 Radar Detectors
Not many local dealers are authorized to sell them so I’ve had people from many dealerships come here just to have them . I’ve done Landrovers, Mustangs, Porsches, and so on. We’re the only local authorized dealer for them and they’re the best. [With the K40 Radar Detectors,] you have the sensors in both the front and rear bumpers and LED’s in the dash. So if the radar is shooting at you, it will tell you which sensor is getting hit so you can know where the policeman is. You can also shut off the sound so, if you do get pulled over, the policeman can’t hear it. And they are guaranteed; Calibre will pay any speeding ticket you get in the first year, that’s how good they are. There is also the option to have a diffuser in the license plate which actually blocks the radar from even clocking you.

Window Tint
Once, I was holding the heat gun up by my shoulder and I leaned closer to examine my work and I burnt a half-circle onto my neck! It didn’t go away for about a month. I’ve burned myself on it many times, but tinting is still really fun to do. Also, the IS Coupe is unique because I actually have the top halfway up. I can’t open it all the way because I can’t fit in the backseat very well and I can’t have it closed because the window is then inside the trunk.

I just love everything I do and I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to do something. I’m proud to work here at Lexus because we only offer the best and we have some great customers. A lot of people don’t look forward to going into work, but I do. It makes me happy.

Q: Can I get map updates for my Navigation System?

A: With maps that cover roads in 48 states, roads and destinations are constantly changing. Lexus is continually working to update this map software. We CAN install updates! Feel free to call for more information! (888) 277-6247