Park it!
For over three decades I have happily manoeuvred an assortment of vehicles through a variety of traffic situations, and have safely reversed into a multitude of parking spaces - but I still bless the day I took possession of my latest car! For the first time ever I am experiencing the benefits of having parking sensors fitted – and as happens with many things, now I’ve got them, I wonder how I ever managed without them! Just this week, the warning bleep I receive whilst reversing towards another object prevented a potential collision. The driver of the other car and I were parked across from each other and we both started to reverse out of our parking spaces at the same time – which meant that even though I had checked all was clear before starting the manoeuvre, we ended up on a direct collision course! The insistent and increasingly frantic bleep of my reversing sensors alerted me to the danger and I was able to pull forward out of harm’s way.
It’s not all about avoiding collisions though. Having parking sensors means that I am able to fit my car into smaller spaces because the job of judging distance and space has been taken from me, to a degree. I now find I have much more confidence about parking and am able to do it with greater ease.
There are two types of parking sensors 1.
18 Ultrasonic sensors bounce sound
waves off obstacles, using the ‘echo’ time to indicate how far away they are. A speaker in the car bleeps – with increasing urgency – as the obstacles get closer. They work even when the car is stationary, but may miss smaller or narrow objects and inclines. Fitting usually requires drilling the bumper and they may not be suitable for use with a tow bar.
2. Electromagnetic sensors create an invisible electromagnetic field around the car’s bumper and any objects entering it trigger a warning sound. Mounted inside the bumper so that there is no need for drilling, they are suitable for use with tow bars, cycle racks etc. but only detect objects once the once the car is in motion.
Parking sensors can be fitted to the rear or front of a vehicle – or both. Reverse sensors activate once reverse gear is selected and switch off automatically when the gear is changed. Front sensors are activated manually and usually deactivate once a pre- determined speed is reached by the vehicle.
If your car doesn’t have them, don’t despair! They can be fitted post manufacture, with prices starting at around £30 for the ultrasonic version, and £70 for the electromagnetic sensors.
To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
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