Service Information

The ultrasonic parking assist system is designed to identify and notify the driver of an object in the vehicle path when moving forward or reversing at speeds of less than 8 km/h (5 MPH). The distance and location of the object is determined by 8 object sensors: 4 located in the rear bumper and 4 located in the front bumper. The parking assist system will notify the driver using an audible beep signal through the radio.

Parking Assist Control Module

The parking assist control module provides an 8 V reference and a low reference to the 8 object alarm sensors. The parking assist control module receives individual signals from each of the 8 sensors and determines the location and distance of an object based on these inputs. When an object is detected, the parking assist control module will send a data message via CAN-Bus to the radio requesting an audible alert.

Object Alarm Sensors

The object alarm sensors are located in the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle. The sensors are used to determine the distance between an object and the bumper. Each sensor emits an ultrasonic frequency which is reflected off any object located in front of or behind the vehicle. These reflections are received by the sensors. The time difference between the emission of the frequency and when the reflection is received is known as sensor echo time, it is used to determine the distance to the object. The sensors report this information to the parking assist control module.

Parking Assist Switch

The parking assist can be activated and deactivated by pressing the parking assist switch. By engaging the reverse gear the parking assist can also be activated. By subsequently pressing the parking assist switch the parking assist can be disabled again.

Parking Assist Switch Indicator

The indicator in the parking assist switch shows the status of the parking assist. If the lamp is ON, the parking assist is activated.

When an object is within the measuring range of the sensor, the ultrasonic pulse is reflected and is received by the sending or a neighbouring sensor. The sensor converts this signal into a voltage signal and sends this signal to the parking assist control module. The parking assist control module evaluates the sensor signals received. As soon as an object is within the measuring range, the parking assist control module sends a message via CAN-Bus to the radio in order to give out the acoustic distance signal.

The parking assist system can detect objects greater than 7.6 cm (3 in) wide and 25.4 cm (10 in) tall. The system cannot detect objects below the bumper, underneath the vehicle. If an object is detected, one of the following will occur:

•	The measuring range of the front object alarm sensors is between 30-120 cm (11.8-47.2 in). From a distance of 120 cm (47.2 in), the acoustic signal is active. The frequency of the beep sound increases with decreasing distance. From a distance less than 30 cm (11.8 in), the sound becomes continuous.

•	The measuring range of the rear object alarm sensors is between 30-250 cm (11.8-98.4 in). From a distance of 250 cm (98.4 in), the acoustic signal is active. The frequency of the beep sound increases with decreasing distance. From a distance less than 30 cm (11.8 in), the sound becomes continuous.

The parking assist can be activated and deactivated by pressing the parking assist switch. When REVERSE gear is selected, park assist is engaged automatically for both front and rear sensors. When the vehicle is put into DRIVE from REVERSE the front assist sensors will be active up to speeds of 8 km/h (5 MPH) to assist with parking manoeuvres. Once the vehicle is above 8 km/h (5 MPH) the front sensors are disabled and will not be enabled until either REVERSE gear is selected or the parking assist switch is pressed to activate the system. Once the parking assist switch is pressed during a key cycle the front sensors become active at speeds under 8 km/h (5 MPH). If the park assist switch is pressed again in the same key cycle the message "Park Assist Off" will be displayed in the driver information centre if the vehicle speed is under 8 km/h (5 MPH) and front sensors detect an object within 120 cm (47.2 in). The LED indicator on the parking assist switch provides the ON/OFF state of the system. If the indicator is ON, the system is active and ready to assist.

The parking assist control module carries out a self test and monitors the sensors for electrical and mechanical faults. Monitored is the power supply of each sensor and the sensor signals, which need to alter when the vehicle moves. If this is not the case, the sensor is acoustically blocked or faulty. Mud, ice and snow may cause obstruction of the function of the sensors. Besides that the parking assist control module checks whether the correct type of sensor is installed. If any of these tests fails, a DTC with corresponding symptom is set, the parking assist is deactivated and the parking assist indicator in the instrument panel cluster is activated.

SERVICE PARK ASSIST

The driver information centre displays SERVICE PARK ASSIST when the parking assist control module detects a malfunction in the parking assist system and the system is disabled. The driver information centre also displays SERVICE PARK ASSIST when a loss of communication occurs with the parking assist control module.

PARK ASSIST OFF

The PARK ASSIST OFF message is displayed in the driver information centre when the parking assist system is disabled due to conditions that disable or inhibit the system. The parking assist control module requests the driver information centre display PARK ASSIST OFF when it detects one of the following conditions:

•	The parking assist system is manually disabled using the parking assist switch.

•	An object is attached to the rear of the vehicle, such as a trailer, bicycle rack, trailer hitch receiver, or tow bar. Also, an object extending beyond a lowered endgate will disable the system.

•	The parking assist sensors are covered by snow, mud, dirt, slush, or ice.

•	Excessive paint thickness on a replacement parking assist sensor.

•	The parking assist sensors are disrupted by vibrations, like those caused by a large nearby vehicle or from heavy equipment such as a jackhammer.

Object Detection Description and Operation - UD5