Parking Sensors

Parking assist sensors help the driver station the vehicle more safely and provide warning signals when an object is close to the car. Most modern vehicles have a front and rear parking sensor to detect what is around the vehicle.

Ultrasonic systems

The ultrasonic system features closeness detectors to measure the range of objects that are nearby. The sensors give out pulses, with a control unit that measures the return interval and calculates object distances. Some systems include a visual aid, such as LED or LCD with a display of the object's distance.

Also, the rear sensor can be activated when the vehicle is put in reverse and is deactivated when the user switches the gear. The ultrasonic system relies on the reflection of sound waves, but the system may not detect objects that aren't big enough.

Electromagnetic systems

The electromagnetic parking sensor (EPS) was renovated in 1992, and the sensor relies on the vehicle moving slowly to avoid the object. And when moving toward an object the alarm signal gets louder, meaning that the vehicle is getting too close. The parking sensor is typically mounted in the inner part of the bumper to preserve the factory look of the vehicle.

Common issues with a faulty parking sensor

The parking sensor can become faulty over time and the harnesses can wear out.