With the average car becoming wider, longer and taller and parking spaces getting constricted, having parking sensors in your vehicle could never be more important. Painted bumps and extra accessories look smart but a small scuff or dent will dig a hole in your pocket. Here comes the parking sensor into the picture! This device is invented to help people in parking at those “just enough” spaces.

How do they work?

The parking sensors are generally fitted at the rear and on the sides of your car. They function by verifying the distance between the obstacle and sensor by bouncing off electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves. Then, it displays the distance on the screen installed in your car.

Types of parking sensors

There are three kinds of parking sensors available:

• Electromagnetic Parking Sensors
• Ultrasonic Parking Sensors
• Rear Facing Cameras

– Electromagnetic Parking Sensors

It is a fantastic technology as it helps the driver to manoeuvre and park the vehicle without any fuss. 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 trigger a warning/alarming sound. The technology has become far better as today you won’t even find a small hole in bumpers. Sensors are invisible as they are installed in the baggage area, yet effective!

If we talk about these sensors deeply, we get to know that they are highly used for tow bars, cycle racks, etc. Also, the electromagnetic sensors have wider detection range coverage than any other sensors.

– Ultrasonic Parking Sensors

Ultrasonic parking sensors are being used in various applications like burglar alarms, fish finders, and of course, parking sensors. Do you know what does ultrasound means? It is an acoustic wave with such a high frequency (20 kHz) that a human being is not able to hear. Let’s look at its role in the parking sensors. Ultrasonic parking sensors are microphone or speakers that emit or receive ultrasound waves also known as sound waves. A beeping signal is when an obstacle is found around the car and it beeps even faster when the car approaches another object.

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

– Rear facing cameras

No matter whether you are a beginner or a professional driver, rear facing cameras will surely help you in parking your vehicle in more effective way. Rear facing parking cameras give you the clear view of the road behind your car, covering every blind spot in the parking area. They automatically switch on when you swap the gear to reverse. These sensors get activated themselves and alert the driver about the distance of object behind the car. With these rear facing cameras, parking becomes easier and safer.

Kinds of Alerts

People want their vehicle safe from any damages or scratches while parking yet they are distracted by something or the other, due to which they end up paying for their carelessness. When you are using the device, be active about the alerts and listen to each and every audible warning carefully. You will be able to notice that the intervals between beeps become shorter as the car comes closer to the obstacle.

Deciphering various combinations of beeps

• Low-toned beeps indicate that obstacle is close to the rear bumper.
• High-toned, continuous beeps indicate that obstacle is close to the front bumper.

Tips for an effective usage

• Always make sure that the uv sensor are clean and clear of any obstructions like dirt or snow. Any suspended particle on the sensors may lead to their dysfunctioning and they may not detect obstacles effectively.
• Be active while parking and do listen to each and every alert carefully.
• Rely on yourself more than relying on parking sensors as they may not detect unwanted flat objects while parking.