System Operation. Parking Aid - Audible: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Lincoln Navigator. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Audible Parking Aid System Operation

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.

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

Parking aid operation may also be affected by:

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 and side sensing system, if equipped).
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 park assist sensors. 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 and within the driving path 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. When the vehicle stops moving the continuous tone stops after 3 seconds until the vehicle moves again. 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.