Audible Parking Aid System Operation

When the rear parking aid and/or front parking aid system is active, the PAM calculates the distance to an object within a 170 degree semicircular area (azimuth) around the rear or front of the vehicle. A variable frequency warning tone is generated through the audio speakers in proportion to the distance from the rear and/or front of the vehicle to the object.

The rear parking aid system calculates the distance to an object around the rear of the vehicle using 4 ultrasonic sensors. The rear parking aid sensors detect objects approximately 180 cm (70 in) from the rear of the vehicle, 50 cm (20 in) from the rear side of the vehicle, and 30 cm (12 in) above the ground. To detect objects behind the vehicle, the PAM supplies voltage and ground to the rear ultrasonic sensors while monitoring a signal return circuit from each sensor. The 4 rear sensors share common voltage and ground circuits.

The front parking aid system calculates the distance to an object around the front of the vehicle using 4 ultrasonic sensors. The front parking aid sensors detect objects approximately 70 cm (27 in) from the front of the vehicle, 50 cm (20 in) from the front side of the vehicle, 30 cm (12 in) above the ground. To detect objects in front of the vehicle, the PAM supplies voltage and ground to the front ultrasonic sensors while monitoring a signal return circuit from each sensor. The 4 front sensors share common voltage and ground circuits. Vehicles equipped with active park assist must be equipped with front parking aid.

Only objects that reflect a sufficient amount of sound waves are detected by the parking aid sensors. The surface properties, size and composition an object can affect the ability of the parking aid system to detect the object.

Also affecting the parking aid operation are:

• Improper sensor installation or alignment
• Dirt or ice covered sensors
• Heavy rain or snow

The parking aid system detects objects under the following conditions:

• The vehicle is in REVERSE (rear parking aid)
• The vehicle is in motion in any gear except NEUTRAL (front parking aid)
• The vehicle is moving toward the object.
• The vehicle is stationary and the object is moving toward the vehicle.
• The vehicle and object are both moving toward one another.

Side Sensing 

The side sensing system calculates the distance to an object around the sides of the vehicle using the four active parking aid sensors used for the active park assist. The side sensors detect objects approximately 60 cm (24 in) from the side of the vehicle. To detect objects on the sides of the vehicle, the PAM supplies voltage and ground to the front ultrasonic sensors while monitoring a signal return circuit from each sensor. The 2 front side sensors share common voltage and ground circuits with the front parking aid sensors. The 2 rear side sensors share common voltage and ground circuits with the rear parking aid sensors.

Parking Aid Audible Alert 

Audio system volume is automatically reduced when a parking aid alert tone is sounded. The alert tone frequency increases as the vehicle gets closer to an obstacle. When an object is detected within 30 cm (12 in) of the sensors, the warning tone becomes continuous. Objects detected outside the continuous tone area to the side of the vehicle generate a warning tone for 3 seconds. The warning tones are prioritized to the closest object. If the front and rear objects are located the same distance from the vehicle, the rear object is prioritized.