Mar 10, 2016

confusedLosing your car isn’t something that only happens after a long night out on the town. Some times it only takes half an hour in the grocery to forget where you parked. If you’ve ever asked yourself “dude, where’s my car?” then you’ll want to use the follow methods to track it down easily.

Use Your Smartphone

Smartphone apps offer some of the simplest ways to remember where you left your car. Most of them use mapping tools that note where you park. Some also include features that will honk your horn, but you’ll need an Internet-ready car for that.

If you have an Android device, then you may want to use one of these apps:

If you have an iPhone, then consider these options:

Of course, not everyone wants to download new apps to their mobile devices. If you’d rather avoid the extra expense and data, then you can simply use your smartphone’s camera to take a picture of your car. Make sure you include some nearby landmarks that will help you find the location.

You can also use Google Maps to remember where your car is. After you park, open the Maps app and mark your current location. Google Maps will direct you back to the spot when you want to return.

Go Old School

You don’t have to take the high-tech route to remembering where your car is. Instead, carry a small notebook and pen with you. It’s not the most fashionable option, but it still works.

When noting your car’s location, you will need to look for an identifier that will lead you back to the spot. Many parking lots have color-coded sections that can make this easier. If you’re parked on the street, then right down the address of the building next to you.

Get the Police and Your Community Involved

Unfortunately, it’s not always your fault when you can’t find your car. If someone has stolen your car, then you will need to call your local police non-emergency number to report the theft. This not only improves your chances of finding the vehicle, but is a necessary step for filing an insurance claim.

Since the police have more important things to do than look for your car, you can’t rely on them to spend much time handling your problem. From a law enforcement perspective, a stolen car isn’t something that deserves a lot of working hours. That’s why you should get your community involved.

Post messages on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms that describe your car’s year, make, model, and color. You should also include your license plate number. If you have a picture of your vehicle, attach it to the message. Encourage friends to share your post so you can reach a wider range of people in your social network.

Losing your car is never fun. As long as you’re prepared, though, you can make your vehicle easier to track down.

 

Image via Pixabay