Factory-fitted front parking sensors -- how do they work?
Discussion
With the change of vehicle from my little VX (which despite limited visibility I could park very easily) to something a little bigger, I'm considering fitting parking sensors. Not because I'm in danger of hitting things, but quite the opposite -- I tend to stop 4 feet away from something whilst being convinced I'm about an inch away 
Rear sensors are easy as they engage with the reverse lights, but as parking sensors are so cheap I'm also considering front sensors. However, the two obvious solutions appear to be that they are on all the time (which I imagine would get very frustrating), or are engaged by a switch (which is a bit of an ugly solution).
There are plenty of cars with front parking sensors from the factory, and I'm guessing they've come up with a more elegant solution to this problem. Does anyone have a car with factory-fitted front sensors, and if so, how do they work?
The other option would be sensors that have an extremely short range -- I'm quite happy for no beeps until I'm under 6 inches away, rather than the 3-4 feet like they usually operate. This would be much more feasible to simply have permanently switched on when the ignition was on. Does anyone have an aftermarket set that can be 'tuned down' to this sort of range?
Posts telling me to learn how to drive will be tolerated but are not encouraged
Rear sensors are easy as they engage with the reverse lights, but as parking sensors are so cheap I'm also considering front sensors. However, the two obvious solutions appear to be that they are on all the time (which I imagine would get very frustrating), or are engaged by a switch (which is a bit of an ugly solution).
There are plenty of cars with front parking sensors from the factory, and I'm guessing they've come up with a more elegant solution to this problem. Does anyone have a car with factory-fitted front sensors, and if so, how do they work?
The other option would be sensors that have an extremely short range -- I'm quite happy for no beeps until I'm under 6 inches away, rather than the 3-4 feet like they usually operate. This would be much more feasible to simply have permanently switched on when the ignition was on. Does anyone have an aftermarket set that can be 'tuned down' to this sort of range?
Posts telling me to learn how to drive will be tolerated but are not encouraged
steve_bmw said:
i have a 5 series bmw with f/r park sensors. they are disabled until you select reverse then they both come on.
there is also a button on the dash to turn them on when you want.
i supose you could wire the front ones into the same circuit as the rear ones?
And how would they help only being activated with reverse engaged??there is also a button on the dash to turn them on when you want.
i supose you could wire the front ones into the same circuit as the rear ones?
rottie102 said:
steve_bmw said:
i have a 5 series bmw with f/r park sensors. they are disabled until you select reverse then they both come on.
there is also a button on the dash to turn them on when you want.
i supose you could wire the front ones into the same circuit as the rear ones?
And how would they help only being activated with reverse engaged??there is also a button on the dash to turn them on when you want.
i supose you could wire the front ones into the same circuit as the rear ones?
your going to be parking when you need the sensors so you will probably be selecting reverse at some point.
chris1roll said:
Seriously though, you will get used to judging how much room you have with practice.
I agree, and to be honest I have absolutely no need for front sensors, it's just a nice-to-have and a desire to do a job properly if I'm doing it at all!At the rear however, the tow hook might mean that judging how much room I have with practice has an unfortunate effect on my insurance premium! I'm always going to be overly cautious, it's just my nature.
steve_bmw said:
rottie102 said:
steve_bmw said:
i have a 5 series bmw with f/r park sensors. they are disabled until you select reverse then they both come on.
there is also a button on the dash to turn them on when you want.
i supose you could wire the front ones into the same circuit as the rear ones?
And how would they help only being activated with reverse engaged??there is also a button on the dash to turn them on when you want.
i supose you could wire the front ones into the same circuit as the rear ones?
your going to be parking when you need the sensors so you will probably be selecting reverse at some point.
tegwin said:
The Touraeg front ones come on below about 10mph, really useful for manuvering in tight spaces...
Mercedes the same. Very useful and the bar indicators are pretty accurate. I tend to go right into the RED and get a satisfactory close gap to the garage door in my wife's car.steve_bmw said:
once selecting reverse the sensors stay on, front and rear until you turn off or drive away.
i take it all these systems work the same way ??? or is it just bmw?
I know merc is different, the rears work with reverse, but the fronts work without the need to select reverse. Seem to turn on/off about 3 or 4 MPH.i take it all these systems work the same way ??? or is it just bmw?
eldar said:
steve_bmw said:
once selecting reverse the sensors stay on, front and rear until you turn off or drive away.
i take it all these systems work the same way ??? or is it just bmw?
I know merc is different, the rears work with reverse, but the fronts work without the need to select reverse. Seem to turn on/off about 3 or 4 MPH.i take it all these systems work the same way ??? or is it just bmw?
irritating in traffic with bikes zooming past you
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