Making the most of your garage space
Driving around town, you’ve probably noticed how cars seem to be getting bigger. This gradual growth has had a knock-on effect on our roads. Take parking, for example.
A standard Australian single-vehicle garage measures 3m wide and a minimum 5.4m long. A double vehicle garage extends to 5.4m wide x 5.4m long.
So, do modern cars fit inside the average home garage?
RAA put four vehicles of different shapes and sizes to the test because we were curious to see how they got in and out of a standard single garage.
The team experimented with a Toyota Hi-Lux (Light Commercial), Toyota Prado (large SUV), Subaru Forester (medium SUV) and Hyundai Kona Electric (small SUV).
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said the two biggest vehicles, the Hi-Lux and Prado, only just fit in the garage.
“Getting in and out of these vehicles was tight,” he said. “There were no obstructions to consider, either.”
“If you have stuff in storage like random boxes, garden tools and sporting equipment, the level of parking difficulty significantly increases and you probably won’t be able to get out of the vehicle either.”
If that’s the case, a spring clean might be in order.
Investing in a separate storage shed may be useful for those items that need to be kept, which will clear up some free space in the garage. Once you’ve cleared the garage, the vehicle will fit and be easily accessible.
Off street parking
Off-street parking is also a challenge. RAA is part of a national group currently reviewing off-street parking standards and the impact of vehicle dimensions and private buying preferences.
Recent data from the Chamber of Automotive Industries shows an upward trend in motorists purchasing slightly bigger cars like dual-cab utilities and SUVs.
Keep this in mind when looking to buy or rent a property. Make sure there’s enough space to park your vehicles on the property (including that seldom used trailer for example), preferably under cover.
You’ll be forever grateful on 40 degrees Celsius days and in the depths of winter as you won’t have to de-ice your mirrors and windows every morning.
On street parking
What if you can’t park on your property? Finding a park on the street is just one challenge you face. Driving down a stretch of bitumen between parked vehicles on narrow residential streets is another.
On-street parking can choke our streets, especially if vehicles are lined up on both sides, and if the street is narrow. There might only be enough space for one car at a time.
“Clogged streets also restrict visibility for motorists coming out of driveways,” Mr Mountain says. “When driving along heavily parked streets slow down and watch out for vehicles coming out of driveways as they may not be able to see you. Also watch out for people that may be hidden by parked vehicles.”
Make the most of your off-street parking and keep your garage car-friendly. When looking for a new vehicle, check the length and width of your prospective purchase.
Think about where you will park it and, if possible, include a trip home as part of your test drive to ensure it fits.
Remember, vehicles often look a lot bigger in the driveway than in the showroom!