Back in the day, you’d pull up to a gap alongside the kerb, or a bay in the car park outside Somerfield or Woolworths, and fit right in with no issues. Nowadays, cars have gotten bigger and bigger, but in many places the spaces have stayed the same size. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how that could make parking more difficult. That’s why parking sensors play such a big role in modern day driving. Here’s how they work.
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What Are Parking Sensors?
Parking sensors are small devices that are positioned around the outskirts of your vehicle and measure the distance, in real time, between your car and any solid objects that they detect around it. For example, if you’re trying to parallel park into a tight spot, your sensors will be able to help you by letting you know when you’re about to bump into the vehicle in front or behind you.
How Do Parking Sensors Work?
Parking sensors are clever, but in terms of the tech that’s in your vehicle, they actually work using a fairly simple process – If you want to see something complicated, take a look at how your ABS operates.
The parking sensors fitted around your vehicle are ultrasonic, and use sound waves and an in-car controller to calculate the distance between you and any obstacle. A soundwave, emitted from the sensor, will bounce back off an object. Then, they will calculate the time it took for the bounce back to occur and translate that measurement into distance.
Can You Add Parking Sensors To A Car?
Generally speaking, the answer is yes. Of course, there will be some exceptions to the rule; vehicles that are too old and lack the other technology needed to accommodate them, for example. But, most cars and vans allow parking sensors to be fitted.
In fact, even if your vehicle can’t have the small, almost-hidden variety of sensors installed, you can have a look in any decent automotive retail shop where you should find external sensors. They’re bigger and more visible, so be aware of thieves and how to prevent them nabbing your equipment.
How To Fit Parking Sensors
If you’re thinking about fitting external sensors, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble. The instructions that come with your purchase will tell you how to attach the parts – most likely using some kind of clip or adhesive.
However, if you want to go all-in and outfit your vehicle with parking sensors that look like they’re factory-fitted, it’ll take a bit more effort. It’s totally possible to do so, but be warned, you will need to drill holes into your vehicle’s bumper! Don’t attempt this DIY task unless you’re comfortable with that.
So, if you’re still reading, we’ll assume you are. Your kit should come with instruction, but here’s a brief rundown of how it’s done:
- Check that there is enough space behind your bumper to house the sensors, and that there are no wires already present.
- Paint the sensor heads to match your car.
- Mark, then drill, the holes for your sensor heads.
- Wire the heads to the main system, which will attach to the controller that comes with your kit and sits inside the car.
How To Test A Parking Sensor
We know what you’re thinking; “just reverse towards a wall and see if it beeps”. And yes, technically, you can test your parking sensors using this method, but it’s also how you end up selling your vehicle with Scrap Car Comparison way before its time is up. So how do you do it properly?
Well, you can test your parking sensors, including each one individually, by getting your hands on a multimeter. The multimeter can be hooked up to the electrics that operate each sensor and can tell you how much power it’s receiving. 500 ohms or above is the range you want to see. Anything under that, and your parking sensor is probably faulty.
What If My Parking Sensors Aren’t Working?
If your parking sensors are faulty, you’re going to suffer the hardship of having to do things the old fashioned way! By that we mean, using your own two eyes, spatial awareness and judgement!
If that sounds too much like a first-world problem, you can instead purchase new sensors and fit them using the method above, or simply take your car or van to a mechanic and have them do the job for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Parking Sensors?
Much of this answer depends on the type of sensor you’re planning to install. External fitted ones can be purchased and installed easily at home for £50 or less.
Internal, factory-like ones will set you back anywhere from £100 to £500, depending on where you go. However, if you’re desperate to get it done on a budget, you can find a bargain for the kit online and fit them yourself. In fact, YouTube channel Big Ted’s Home & Garden has shown that it’s possible to do the whole job yourself for under twenty quid!
Got a problem with your car that’s not within your budget to fix? Call Scrap Car Comparison and we can get you the best deals for it, offered by professional scrap & salvage dealers based in your local area. We’ll even arrange for the collection of your vehicle to be completed, totally free of charge, from anywhere on our network across the UK! Give us a call on 03333 44 99 50 or use our scrap value calculator to get a quote now!
