Parking aid – a sensible or unnecessary investment?
How does the parking aid work?
Parking aids are auxiliary systems that are designed to warn you of an object coming too close, especially when reversing into a parking space. In many newer high- and mid-range cars, such a parking aid is already installed as standard. However, it can be retrofitted in other vehicles.
With the sensory parking aid, the distance to an object is read out via sensors on the vehicle. If you get too close to the object in question, this is passed on to the reader in the driver's cab and a warning signal sounds. Collisions can thus be avoided. In addition to the warning signal, there are also parking aids that work with an optical traffic light warning system. There is a red, yellow and a green area. The closer you get to an object, the further the display goes into the red area. Once in the red zone, the warning signal will also become audibly louder to warn you of a possible collision. In general, the sensory parking aid is only activated when reverse gear is engaged, as it could disturb you in normal road traffic.
But you can not only attach these sensors to the rear. You can also retrofit a parking aid at the front of the car. However, this makes less sense, as the field of vision to the front is usually sufficient. In addition to the sensory, there is also the optical parking aid. These are reversing cameras that allow you drivers to check for yourself how far away you are from an object. The most sensible and safest way to do this is to retrofit a reversing camera and sensors as parking aids. Together, they cover an angle of approximately 170° (depending on the manufacturer).
How to install the parking aid?
There is no need to go to great lengths to significantly reduce the risk: a parking aid can be retrofitted easily and barely visible. As soon as certain distances to obstacles are undercut, you will be shown the impending obstacle visually and acoustically. In the simple systems available on the market, sensors are inserted into the rear bumper. With the help of ultrasound, the distance to objects can be determined. The more sensors are used, the more accurate the image that the parking aid receives of the environment. A small display then uses LEDs to show how large the distance to the object still is. An acoustic signal, which sounds at ever shorter intervals, supports the visual display. This not only increases safety for the driver, but also comfort: especially when reversing into a parking space, there is no longer any need to twist your neck. The costs for such systems are usually in the upper double-digit range. More problematic, however, is the installation: For the sensors, you have to drill holes in the bumper, and the electrical connection could also overwhelm laymen. For this reason, it is better to contact a specialist workshop for retrofitting. License plate holders with sensors are also available. The connection to the on-board power supply is via the reversing light, and the transmission to the display is wireless. The advantage is obvious, no more holes have to be drilled in the bumper. The connection is also comparatively simple, because there is no need to lay cables. On the other hand, the function of this parking aid is also limited: because there are sensors exclusively in the license plate holder, only a very small radius is covered – a blind spot remains.
Is the parking aid useful?
Parking aids definitely offer some advantages. There is generally less damage when parking, and also the stress you may have when parking. In addition, parking in small parking spaces is possible - this otherwise only worked with instruction.
Possible disadvantages of parking aids, on the other hand, are that some people rely too much on the technology and neglect or even forget to check and look at themselves. You should always be aware that such a technique is only a support – and not a replacement.
So there are a few ways to retrofit a parking aid. In any case, the parking aid creates additional comfort and safety at comparatively low cost. If you do not dare to install it yourself or do not have the necessary equipment, you should contact a specialist workshop. The car workshop is happy to take over the assembly and can usually also contribute experience with the systems.
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