Audible Parking Aid System Operation

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 an object is detected by the front or rear parking aid system, a variable rate warning tone is sounded through the corresponding audio system speakers (front or rear door speakers).

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 1, 524 mm (60 in) from the rear of the vehicle, 508 mm (20 in) from the rear side of the vehicle, and 305 mm (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.

This vehicle may also 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 detect objects approximately 686 mm (27 in) from the front of the vehicle, 457 mm (18 in) from the front side of the vehicle, 305 mm (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.

Only objects that reflect a sufficient amount of sound waves are detected by the front or rear parking aid sensors. The surface properties, size and composition an object can affect the ability of the parking aid system to detect the object. Incorrect sensor alignment or installation, dirt or ice covered sensors, heavy rain and snow can also cause objects not to be detected.

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 

The parking aid audible tones are sounded through the audio system speakers. For the rear parking aid only the audio system volume is automatically reduced when a parking aid alert tone is sounded. The audio speaker increases its warning tone rate as the vehicle gets closer to an obstacle. When an object is detected within 305 mm (12 in) of the sensors, the warning tone becomes continuous. Objects to the rear side generate a continuous tone for only 3 seconds if the object is stationary or receding from the vehicle. The warning tones are prioritized to the system (front or rear) which has detected an object closest to the bumper. The tone will alternate between front and rear audio speakers if objects are detected closer than 254 mm (10 in) front and rear.