Parking sensors - The help for every parking situation

Parking sensors are also called PDC (Park Distance Control), reverse warning systems, parking assistants or park pilots. Especially in cities where parking spaces are usually very small, the electronic parking aid makes it easier for the driver to manoeuvre into narrow parking spaces and reduces the risk of accidents. Even with poor lighting or low obstacles, such as a bollard that cannot be seen in the rear-view mirror, parking is possible without hesitation. Most parking aids warn of an obstacle with an acoustic signal.

In this category you will find original parking sensors of the vehicle manufacturers. Below the products we present you the different parking aid systems. We also give you tips on how to detect defective reversing sensors and what you should bear in mind when buy or retrofitting.

What parking aid systems are there?
Can a parking sensor be fitted to any vehicle and what needs to be considered when buying parking sensors?
What to do if a reversing sensor becomes defective?

What parking aid systems are there?

There are currently four different parking aid systems that are used in modern vehicles:

Ultrasonic-based parking sensors
Radar-based park pilots
Self-steering parking assistants
Camera-based parking aids

With the ultrasonic-based parking sensors, two to six reversing sensors are placed in the rear bumper. The number depends on the width of the vehicle. These reversing sensors are often painted in the same colour as the vehicle and are hardly noticeable. The system uses the echo sounder principle. From the transit time of the ultrasonic waves, i.e. the time that elapses between the transmission of the signal and the reception of the reflection, the system calculates the distance between the reverse warning device and the obstacle.

The distance of the vehicle to the obstacle is calculated by the control unit from the information of at least two reversing sensors using triangulation. This is the measurement with the help of triangles. If you know the distance between two objects and the angle between them, you can calculate the distance between the two objects.

The radar-based park pilots function identically to the ultrasonic version, except that radar signals are evaluated instead of ultrasonic waves. This eliminates the need for visible parking sensors on the bumper, which saves costs, technology and weight. The only disadvantage of these parking pilots is that too much rain could also be interpreted as an obstacle.

Self-steering parking assistants completely take over the steering manoeuvres when parking. In addition to one of the two reversing warning systems mentioned above, they require electromechanical power steering as well as measurement sensors that are aligned transversely to the road. Some assistants also required a rear view camera so that the driver can confirm the selected parking space.

The parking assistants measure the parking space and take over the steering manoeuvres. Most assistants stop parking when the minimum distance to the rear has been reached. Modern systems, on the other hand, also correct the position several times in the parking space. Since the throttle and brake are still operated by the driver, he remains responsible despite the self-steering parking assistants.

The camera-based parking aids film the surroundings behind the car and indicate them to the driver. The rear view cameras are not necessarily coupled with distance measuring rear view sensors. Nevertheless, most of them contain useful functions:

Auxiliary lines based on steering wheel angle show the planned path of the vehicle when resetting
A zoom directs the focus to the trailer hitch area
There is also a special mode that supports parallel parking

In addition, newer systems are also equipped with a so-called round view (surround view), which generates a bird's eye view of the vehicle above. The view from above can be implemented by several wide-angle cameras on the vehicle. In addition to the front and rear, cameras are mounted underneath the exterior mirrors. This also shows the great advantage, as these camera systems can, among other things, avoid kerb contacts when parking.

Can a parking sensor be fitted to any vehicle and what needs to be considered when buying parking sensors?

Even if no parking aid was installed in your vehicle from the factory, it is still possible to retrofit it. Especially for larger vehicles such as vans, SUVs, off-road vehicles or commercial vehicles, the parking aid pays off quickly. The parking assistants are also suitable for city dwellers who have to make use of even the smallest gap.

The choice of park pilots depends on whether your vehicle has a trailer coupling, how wide the car is and what functions your parking aid should have. In addition, the vehicle manufacturers have provided different systems for the respective vehicle types. You will find the original parking sensors of the vehicle manufacturers here, from which you can choose the reversing alarm that suits you best.

What to do if a reversing sensor is defective?

Of course already installed parking sensors can break down. This can be due to age or an accident. A defective sensor can usually be identified by a long, continuous beep. To find out which reversing sensor is defective, the sensors should be obeyed when the PDC system is switched on. Every intact sensor emits a slight ticking. If a sensor should be defective, then no noise can be heard with it against it.

If the parking assistants no longer work properly, the risk of accidents increases when parking. For this reason, it is advisable to replace or retrofit the parking aids as soon as possible. So that you can rely on a perfectly functioning system, park pilots should always be installed by a specialist. Only with these can great tact and precision for installation or replacement be guaranteed. It is also worth relying on the original parking sensors from the manufacturers. So you can be sure that the electronics are compatible with those in your vehicle. So you can always rely on your high-quality PDC system.

In our store you will find high-quality parking sensors and accessories from various vehicle manufacturers as individual items or as a complete retrofit kit. If you are unsure about buying parking aids or have further questions on this topic, please contact us at our service team with your vehicle data.