Parking Aid System Operation

The PAM calculates and reports via audio tones the distance to an object within a 170 degree semicircular area (azimuth) around the front and/or rear of the vehicle. When the system is active and an object is detected within the parking aid azimuth around the front or rear of the vehicle, a variable rate warning tone is sounded through the corresponding front or rear parking aid speaker.

The rear parking aid system calculates the distance to an object around the rear of the vehicle using 4 ultrasonic sensors. The parking aid sensors detect objects approximately 1, 800 mm (71 in) from the rear of the vehicle, 600 mm (24 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 parking aid sensors detect objects approximately 800 mm (31.5 in) from the front of the vehicle, 500 mm (20 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.

When the vehicle is equipped with the factory trailer tow option and a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the rear parking aid is disabled. The front parking aid (if equipped) remains active regardless of the trailer connection.

Parking Aid Audible Alert 

When reverse gear is selected and an object has been detected by the front or rear parking aid sensors, the PAM sounds a variable rate warning tone through the corresponding (front or rear) parking aid speaker. The front parking aid uses a high pitch tone and the rear parking aid uses a low pitch tone. As the vehicle approaches the object the warning tone rate increases in frequency, becoming continuous when the vehicle is approximately 305 mm (12 in) from the object. If an object is detected within 305 mm (12 in) from the rear side of the vehicle that is stationary or moving away, the continuous tone is only generated for 3 seconds. If the vehicle is equipped with front and rear parking aid and objects are detected closer than 305 mm (12 in) from the front and the rear bumpers at the same time, the warning tone alternates between front and rear parking aid speakers.