Active Park Assist Operation

The Parking Aid Module (PAM) communicates with several modules to control the functions of the active park assist system. The active park assist system utilizes steering angle inputs, vehicle wheel rotation count and direction, active park assist sensor inputs, vehicle speed and transmission selection to calculate vehicle position and distance in relation to the parking space. The inputs are used by the Parking Aid Module (PAM) to command the steering system to assist with the steering wheel control to maneuver the vehicle into the parking space.

When the active park assist switch is pressed, the FDIM displays the message Searching For Parking Space On Left/Right Side. The multifunction switch turn signal input determines the side of vehicle in which the driver is searching for a parking space. If the turn signal is not active, the active park assist system defaults to searching on the passenger side of the vehicle.

The system measures the available parking spaces and its surroundings as the operator drives by to determine if the vehicle can be maneuvered into the available parking space. The Parking Aid Module (PAM) uses inputs from the active park assist sensors and the wheel speed and rotation data message to find an acceptable parking space. After a space has been located, a chime sounds through the audio system and the FDIM displays a message informing the driver that a parking space has been located on the left or right side and requesting the driver to pull forward to park. After the driver moves the vehicle forward to the appropriate start position, as determined by the Parking Aid Module (PAM), the system will request the driver to stop, shift to the transmission into reverse and remove hands from the steering wheel. After the transmission is in reverse and no driver input torque on the steering wheel is detected (driver has removed their hands from the wheel), the active park assist system takes control of the steering and prompts the driver to begin backing into the parking space. The active park assist system sounds audio tones and issues commands through the FDIM instructing the driver to back up and pull forward as necessary while the system controls the steering to position the vehicle within the detected parking space. The operator maintains full control of the gear shifting, accelerator and brakes during active park assist maneuvers.

If an input module fault or other system malfunction is present, the active park assist system is disabled or prevents the system from activating. The message Active Park Assist Fault is displayed by the FDIM and a DTC is set in the Parking Aid Module (PAM).

Certain conditions can cause the active park assist system to incorrectly align the vehicle in the parking space:

• A spare tire installed or one of the tires on the vehicle has significantly more or less treadwear than the other tires.
• The vehicle has been equipped with various accessories (cycle rack, trailer) which are not recognized by the active park assist system.
• The factory-installed tire size is not used on the vehicle.
• Poor ambient weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow.
• The active park assist sensors are damaged or obstructed.
• The curb along the parking space is irregular.
• The vehicle or objects bordering the space are not positioned correctly.
• The parking space dimensions or parked objects position have changed after the vehicle has initially passed the parking space.
• The ambient temperature changes quickly such as the vehicle driven from a heated garage into the cold or just leaving a car wash before the system was activated.
• One of the surrounding parked vehicles has a high or overhanging attachment, such as a salt spreader or a large truck bed, that the sensors cannot detect.

Pressing and releasing the active park assist switch at anytime disables the active park assist system. If the system is disabled by the operator after the system starts to control the steering, a warning chime is sounded and the FDIM displays the message Active Park Assist Cancelled or Active Park Assist Deactivated.