With the average car getting wider, longer and taller, and parking spaces becoming more restricted, having parking sensors in your vehicle could never be more important. Painted nubs and extra accessories look nice, but a little scuff or tooth will dig a hole in your pocket. Here comes the parking sensor in the picture! This device was invented to help people park in those “enough” spaces.

How do they work?

Parking sensors are usually installed at the rear and sides of your car. They work by verifying the distance between the obstacle and the sensor by rebounding electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves. Then it shows the distance on the screen installed in your car.

Types of parking sensors

There are three types of parking sensors available:

• Electromagnetic parking sensors

• Ultrasonic parking sensors

• Rear cameras

– Electromagnetic parking sensors

This is fantastic technology as it helps the driver to maneuver and park the vehicle smoothly. These parking sensors create the electromagnetic field around the vehicle in which they are installed, detecting obstacles around it once the car starts moving. As soon as an obstacle is detected, they activate a warning/alarm sound. Technology has improved a lot as today you won’t even find a small hole in bumpers. The sensors are invisible since they are installed in the baggage area, but effective!

If we talk in depth about these sensors, we know that they are widely used for trailer hitches, bicycle carriers, etc. Also, electromagnetic sensors have a wider sensing range coverage than any other sensor.

– Ultrasonic parking sensors

Ultrasonic parking sensors are used in various applications such as burglar alarms, fish finders, and of course parking sensors. Do you know what ultrasound means? It is an acoustic wave with a frequency so high (20 kHz) that a human being is unable to hear. Let’s see its role in parking sensors. Ultrasonic parking sensors are microphones or speakers that emit or receive ultrasonic waves, also known as sound waves. A beep signal is when an obstacle is encountered around the car and it sounds even faster when the car approaches another object.

To achieve parallel parking, this system automatically controls braking, acceleration and steering. If you also want rear protection, mount two or four ultrasonic sensors on the rear bumper to notify obstacles up to 2-2.5m away.

– Rear cameras

No matter if you are a beginner or a professional driver, rear cameras are sure to help you park your vehicle more effectively. Rear-facing parking cameras give you a clear view of the road behind your car, covering all blind spots in the parking area. They come on automatically when you shift into reverse gear. These sensors are activated and alert the driver about the distance of the object behind the car. With these rear-facing cameras, parking becomes easier and safer.

Alert Types

People want their vehicle to be safe from damage or scratches while parking, but get distracted by something, so they end up paying for their carelessness. When you are using the device, be active regarding alerts and listen carefully for each and every audible warning. You may notice that the intervals between the beeps get shorter as the car gets closer to the obstacle.

Decipher various beep combinations

• Low tone beeps indicate that the obstacle is near the rear bumper.

• Continuous high-pitched beeps indicate that the obstacle is near the front bumper.

Tips for effective use

• Always make sure the sensors are clean and free of obstructions such as dirt or snow. Any suspended particles on the sensors can cause them to malfunction and they may not detect obstacles effectively.

• Stay active while parking and listen carefully to each and every alert.

• Trust yourself more than parking sensors, as they may not detect unwanted flat objects while parking.

Efficiency of installing parking sensor in your vehicle

If you are wondering if installing parking sensors is advantageous or not, then the correct answer is a big YES! This device will help you park safely even in a restricted parking space. Helps you detect every object that is out of your vision. It activates as soon as you start to park your car by putting it in reverse. You will not need additional holes in the bumpers to install these parking sensors, since with the new technology they are invisible.