Everything You Need to Know about Parking Sensors

For many motorists, parking is one of the most dreaded aspects of driving.

While it’s something that is typically required on a daily basis when out and about in your car, many people really struggle with the manoeuvre. This is all the more emphasised when you consider reverse or parallel parking, which some drivers wouldn’t dare to even attempt.

In fact, a report found that one in four drivers struggle with parking and would prefer to walk further if it meant not having to park in a ‘difficult’ parking space.

If you’re someone who finds parking difficult, you might have considered purchasing a vehicle that includes parking sensors.

At Ken’s Autos, we regularly supply and maintain parking sensors for our customers across Nottingham, Derby, Mansfield and beyond.

In this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about parking sensors, including their benefits and how they can help you.

What are parking sensors?

Parking sensors are handy devices that aid you when it comes to parking your car. They’re typically installed in rear bumpers and are automatically activated when you place your vehicle in reverse. If your car is getting too close to an obstacle, it will emit a loud beeping sound to alert you of a potential collision. This way, the driver knows to stop and can adapt their position to avoid an accident.

The first parking sensors were invented in the 1970s, and were originally designed to assist drivers with visual impairments. However, more than 40 years later and they’re a common addition to most modern vehicles.

It wasn’t until the 21st century, however, that we started seeing parking sensors grow in popularity. In part, this was thanks to the Japanese brand Toyota that featured sensors in its Prius model from 2003 onwards.

The different kinds of parking sensors

There are three main types of parking sensors. These are as follows:

Ultrasonic sensors

Ultrasonic sensors are perhaps the most common type of parking sensors in modern vehicles. They’re usually made up of between four and six circular devices that are embedded in the vehicle’s bumper.

They work in a similar way to solar devices used in the Navy and emit high-frequency sound waves that are measured based on how long it takes them to return to the sensor. This will then give the sensor information about how close you are to an obstacle, and will release a loud, screeching sound if you’re getting too close.

Electromagnetic sensors

This type of sensor works by creating a magnetic field around the rear of the vehicle, and releasing a warning sound if anything interrupts the field – such as a potential obstacle.

These sensors have an extensive range and are often able to detect obstacles that other types cannot.

Rear-facing cameras

Many modern vehicles feature rear-facing cameras as a parking sensor. These sensors provide drivers with a live feed to the rear of their vehicle, giving people a visual view of the back of their car as they park, meaning they will be able to physically see any obstacles coming their way.

The benefits of parking sensors

Having parking sensors installed in your car can offer a wide range of benefits including:

Accident prevention – The audible and visual warnings parking sensors provide can prevent accidents from occurring especially when space is limited.

Improved safety – Parking sensors can help stop accidents involving pedestrians from occurring, therefore preventing injuries and enhancing safety.

Reduced damage – By reducing the likelihood of an accident happening, parking sensors will also prevent your vehicle from sustaining costly damage.

Increased confidence – Parking sensors can boost a driver’s confidence, especially those who are less experienced or who struggle with parking.

At Ken’s Autos, we can supply parking sensor kits and fix faulty or damaged sensors on vehicles of every type. We’ve spent more than 45 years providing customers throughout Nottingham, Derby and Mansfield with all kinds of automotive services and spare parts. To find out more about what we do, get in touch with our team today.