In modern urban conditions, driving a car requires considerable skill - there are more and more personal vehicles every day, and less and less freedom to maneuver. And if the drivers can still cope with driving, then putting the car in the parking lot or just stopping near the store is already a difficult task that requires a good eye and quick decision-making. Just to alleviate this problem, parking sensors for cars are designed. Today we will talk about them in more detail.
What do you need
Parktronic, or parking radar, is used to alert the driver that his car drove too close to another car or obstacle. The device is quite simple, but very useful in situations with limited visibility and in tight spaces. In addition, modern cars, due to the fact that almost all of them are front-wheel drive, have a longfront overhang and a sloping hood that is often not visible from the driver's seat.
Besides this, for the sake of design refinements, the rear window is made small in size, especially in sedans (the trunk lip is not visible there). All this creates discomfort and the need to "estimate" the distance to a foreign object "by eye". Sometimes this does not always end successfully. As a result, scratches from close contacts appear on the bumpers.
How it works
Structurally, the parktronic is an ultrasonic radar, the sensors of which are both emitters. They generate ultrasonic waves and receive their reflections.
According to the return time of the reflected signal, the device determines the distance to the obstacle. Most modern cars are equipped with this simple device at the factory. But it can be installed on any old cars. The only question is to find out what kind of parking sensors are on a car.
Views
The system consists of several sensors, a switching unit and an information panel. Sensors can be located on the front and (or) rear bumper - in the most problematic, sought-after areas, which were mentioned above. Sensors for each zone can be from two to four. Two pieces, which are located in the corners, are the most economical and cheapest option.
But in the center, a blind zone is formed, which does notcontrolled. There is a risk of crashing into, say, a pipe sticking low out of the ground. Three sensors on the bumper is already a more reliable solution. But the best option is four elements at an equal distance from each other. Thus, the entire area of the bumper is controlled completely. According to the owners, such a system is the most common and convenient.
Warning systems
The information screen, in fact, is a driver warning system about the presence of an obstacle. Structurally, it is a box with a screen on which the car and sensors located on the bumpers are symbolically depicted, depending on the configuration. In addition to the symbols on the screen, an additional sound signal can be used. Thus, there are three types of notification:
- Sonic.
- Optical.
- Symbol.
The first kind is the easiest. If there is an obstacle in the radar coverage area (from 2.5 m to 25 cm), an intermittent signal starts to sound. As an obstacle (or a vehicle) approaches it, the signal begins to increase in frequency. In close proximity to the bumper, the sound becomes continuous. With the help of such a system, it is convenient to park by ear, but if there are problems with hearing or loud music is playing, then the use of parking sensors is significantly reduced.
The next system is optical. It is a strip of LEDs of different colors, from green to red, in accordance with the proximity of the object. These bars are located on the right and left of the information screen and correspond tolocation of obstacles on the respective sides of the vehicle. Digital display - a screen on which numbers are shown - the distance in meters to the object. The numbers are often duplicated by sound indication and LED strips. The system has the possibility of various switching options. In some situations, a digital display is not too necessary, or, conversely, when driving in a traffic jam, it is desirable to turn off the sound warning, otherwise the parking sensors will constantly beep. Owner reviews indicate that all three systems are equally convenient and the comfort of use often depends on driving experience.
Models
Types of parking sensors on cars are very diverse, but they are all divided into different groups that should be mentioned:
- The first group consists of parking sensors for cars, the indicators of which are built into the rear-view mirror and are strips of columns of horizontal lines of different colors. They will light up one by one as the car approaches the obstacle.
- The second, more advanced option is parking sensors combined with a rear view camera. In this model, the information display is a digital screen, which displays a picture from the camera located behind (and sometimes in front). Unfortunately, the camera lens can become dirty in bad weather, which will not happen with conventional sensors - they are not afraid of such weather changes.
- The most modern models of parking sensors have not point, but tape sensors. Such sensors are very easy to install and do not stand out so much on the bumper, due to whichare becoming more common.
Modern parking sensors for cars are often equipped with additional features. Usually they carry redundant and unnecessary information (clock, compass). When choosing a suitable parking sensors model, it is better to focus on a model with maximum functionality and ease of use.
What to look out for
Before choosing a parking sensor for a car, you should pay attention to the area it will serve.
Often the values for front and back are different. It is also necessary to check the compliance of the temperature regime and humidity with the conditions of the forthcoming operation. The sensors themselves, installed in the bumper of the car, must have the same color, in extreme cases - the same shade, so as not to stand out too much from the appearance of the car. The information screen should organically fit into the interior and be in harmony with it. Ideally, it looks like a regular, factory part. Now there are a great variety of models on sale, and it is not difficult to find the right copy.
Installation
Currently, installing parking sensors on a car is a fairly common service in specialized service centers. The work is not too difficult and is mainly connected with pulling wires from the sensors to the switching unit and the information screen.
Also drill holes for sensors in bumpers. If you install parking sensors on a car, the price will greatly depend on the kitinstallation, as well as the type and size of the vehicle. The kit may include both the element itself and a "fancy" system with one or two cameras and a screen. Installing parking sensors on a car in Moscow will cost from 2,500 to 4,000 rubles for the simplest option with four rear sensors. You will have to pay 5-8 thousand rubles for the option with a camera.
Self assembly
Of course, you can save money and install parking sensors on your car yourself (everything is described in sufficient detail in the instructions). However, this work is associated with disassembly-assembly of the interior, and often with the removal of the bumper. In addition, to connect the device, you will need to crash into the on-board electrical system.
Therefore, before starting work, it is advisable to estimate your skills and abilities.
Conclusion
As you can see, parking sensors for cars are a sought-after and popular option. In the modern rhythm of life, it moves from the category of luxury to a necessary item that makes life much easier.
