Low-tech Tesla tennis ball

[CharleyBC]

It’s a bit of a trick getting our Model 3 in the garage just the right distance. Enough space in front to walk by, and just enough behind to open the trunk without bonking the closed garage door. The high-tech ultrasonic proximity detectors sort of help. When they read about 16-19 inches is just right. The problem is we get all sorts of proximity alerts from the side sensors too (garage wall shelving), so a “17” on the screen might not be the one we actually care about. (Feature request: display numbers beside the fenders and quarter panels for side alerts, leaving front for front.) So with careful measuring, I installed the ancient low-tech windshield tennis ball trick, but with a Tesla twist:

 

[chronopc]

It’s a bit of a trick getting our Model 3 in the garage just the right distance. Enough space in front to walk by, and just enough behind to open the trunk without bonking the closed garage door. The high-tech ultrasonic proximity detectors sort of help. When they read about 16-19 inches is just right. The problem is we get all sorts of proximity alerts from the side sensors too (garage wall shelving), so a “17” on the screen might not be the one we actually care about. (Feature request: display numbers beside the fenders and quarter panels for side alerts, leaving front for front.) So with careful measuring, I installed the ancient low-tech windshield tennis ball trick, but with a Tesla twist:View attachment 447508

I was under the impression that the measurements are only from the front and rear sensors. When I enter my garage the side of my car is practically next to my house and I'm not getting a reading of how close I am on the side.

 

[WilliamG]

If you want something a little more high-tech, I'm again going to pimp this device I got on Amazon because it's completely awesome, and then you can park the same number of inches away each time.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079VX8RJ8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[CharleyBC]

I was under the impression that the measurements are only from the front and rear sensors. When I enter my garage the side of my car is practically next to my house and I'm not getting a reading of how close I am on the side.

That was initially my impression too. But experience taught me to be very careful. I'd get a display of, say "18" and think I was spot on. In fact, I was still much too far back. Scoot forward a tad, and suddenly it shows "33" and then counts down again to my real front bumper distance in the high teens. So I thus assumed the earlier teens reading must have been from the side. I can't actually prove that, but it was my empirical conclusion. It happens that way virtually every time.

 

[CharleyBC]

BTW, for the curious, the red Tesla tennis ball was a freebie the attendant was handing out one day when we were at the Kettleman City Supercharger. She was giving them out as dog toys to folks with dogs.

 

[chronopc]

That was initially my impression too. But experience taught me to be very careful. I'd get a display of, say "18" and think I was spot on. In fact, I was still much too far back. Scoot forward a tad, and suddenly it shows "33" and then counts down again to my real front bumper distance in the high teens. So I thus assumed the earlier teens reading must have been from the side. I can't actually prove that, but it was my empirical conclusion. It happens that way virtually every time.

I typically turn on the rear camera so I can kind of eye ball if there's enough space in the rear.

 

[BluestarE3]

I like the old tennis ball trick as well. Low-tech, cheap and reliable. In my case, I use it to gauge my side position since I have to jockey a bit after nosing into the garage to allow a sufficient walkway between our two vehicles. As for how far to pull forward, I have a Post-It Note taped to the wall on the passenger side and when I line up my folded mirror with the sticker, I know I'm good.

 

[St☰v☰]

My issue wasn't the front per se, but the right side. So I bought a 12" convex mirror (Amazon) and installed it so I can now see down the right side of the car to ensure I'm close to the shelving unit, but not so close that I hit it.

 

[Burrito]

i use this- like $8 on amazon in combination of knowing the distance from the wall and feeling the bump i park in the same exact spot every time

 

[St☰v☰]

@Burrito, does anyone ever trip over that thing? It's a good idea, but my wife is a klutz and I'm sure her toes would catch it..

 

[UberEV1]

<=== I also went with the ultra low tech solution, upgraded a bit with a 3D printer (and yes that is the Tesla logo converted to 3D, sort of).

 

[AndrewAllen]

Now I feel like my green tennis ball is inferior.

 

[CharleyBC]

Now I feel like my green tennis ball is inferior.

Truly. You must acquire an official Tesla brand red tennis ball!

 

[tvad]

The tennis ball parking aid...tried and true!

 

[Petrlol]

I've tried the bump on the floor, but I have a 2 car door that I park in the middle of, so hitting it every time was a pain, as it's not very wide. I just hung a mirror pointing down on the front wall about 7ft in the air. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077FRZTN4

 

[AndrewAllen]

I've tried the bump on the floor, but I have a 2 car door that I park in the middle of, so hitting it every time was a pain, as it's not very wide. I just hung a mirror pointing down on the front wall about 7ft in the air. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077FRZTN4

I am requesting a picture of said mirror installed.

 

[AndrewAllen]

Truly. You must acquire an official Tesla brand red tennis ball!

Who has extra?? Lol

 

[St☰v☰]

I've tried the bump on the floor, but I have a 2 car door that I park in the middle of, so hitting it every time was a pain, as it's not very wide. I just hung a mirror pointing down on the front wall about 7ft in the air. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077FRZTN4

Yeah, that's the exact one I bought....

 

[CharleyBC]

Who has extra??

Go to Kettleman City and hope for the best. We've charged there several times, but only encountered tennis balls once. Another time we got to meet a Tesla Semi charging. Always an interesting stop!

 

[AltLogic]

I put a foam strip on the side wall in the garage. When I am getting close I open the door. As long as the opened door hits the foam I am good. This works great as long as you pull forward in the left side or backwards in the right side. I used to put it in reverse to see if the rear would clear. But when I did the next time I pull out the car would not automatically close the garage door.