Audible Parking Aid System Operation

Using the parking aid sensors, the PAM calculates the distance to an object within a 170 degree semicircular area (azimuth) around the front and/or rear of the vehicle when any gear except park or neutral is selected. When an object is detected by the front or rear parking aid sensors, the PAM sends the audio mute request to the ACM or DSP module (depending on vehicle equipment) and sounds a variable rate warning tone through the corresponding parking aid speaker.

NOTE: If a MyKey ® restricted key is in use, the front and rear parking aid menu is not available in the IPC message center and the systems cannot be disabled.

Rear Parking Aid

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 can detect objects approximately 200 cm (79 in) from the rear of the vehicle, and 30 cm (12 in) above the ground. When the ignition is on, the PAM supplies voltage and ground to the rear ultrasonic sensors while monitoring a signal return circuit from each sensor. The rear sensors share common voltage and ground circuits.

If the vehicle is equipped with factory trailer tow, the rear parking aid is automatically disabled when a when a trailer is electrically connected to the vehicle.

The rear parking aid is enabled and disabled through the IPC message center. The system defaults on with each ignition cycle.

Front Parking Aid

This vehicle may be equipped with a front parking aid system. 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 can detect objects approximately 70 cm (27.6 in) from the front of the vehicle, 15 cm (6 in) from the front side of the vehicle, and 30 cm (12 in) above the ground. The PAM supplies voltage and ground to the front ultrasonic sensors while monitoring a signal return circuit from each sensor. The front sensors share common voltage and ground circuits.

The front parking aid is enabled and disabled through the IPC message center. The system defaults on with each ignition cycle.

Parking Aid Audible Alert

The PAM sounds warning tones through hardwired front (if equipped) and rear parking aid speakers. The front speaker sounds a higher pitch warning tone and the rear speaker sounds a lower pitch warning tone. The parking aid warning tone rate increases as the vehicle gets closer to an obstacle. When an object is detected within 25 cm (10 in) of the front or rear bumper, the warning tone becomes continuous.

If the vehicle is equipped with front and rear parking aid and objects are detected to the front and rear of the vehicle, the PAM reports the obstacle that is closest to the vehicle. If objects simultaneously are detected within 25 cm (10 in) of the front and rear of the vehicle, the warning tone alternates between the front and rear parking aid speakers.

When sounding a warning tone through the front or rear parking aid speaker, the PAM sends the audio mute request message to the ACM or DSP module, depending on vehicle equipment. When the ACM or DSP module receives the audio mute request, it reduces the current audio system volume so the parking aid warning tone can be heard.