Automatic Parallel Parking Feature: My Car Does What

Automatic Parallel Parking

Helps guide you into a parallel parking spot after searching and finding a viable option. You still are responsible for braking and monitoring your environment.

What It Does

What It Does: Automatically steers the car into a parking space.

What It Does Not Do: Brake or automatically shift gears

Takes the panic out of parking

Quick Guide

1. ACTIVATE

Press the park button, find a parking space and pull forward until it notifies you that it has found a spot.

2. SHIFT

Shift into reverse, release the brake slightly, and release the steering wheel.

3. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

Automatic parallel parking takes over and directs you when to shift into drive. Remember: You are responsible for braking with this feature.

How it works

WHAT IT DOES

This feature can detect objects in front and back of a car while parking, providing audible alerts if one or more objects are detected.

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND IT

Advanced sensors read the gaps between cars in the area where you want to park. The feature won’t activate if there isn’t sufficient room to parallel park, which helps ensure that the car won’t bump into any nearby cars. When activated, this feature can then take over some of the vehicle’s steering and acceleration functions needed to park.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

  • Activate your car’s automatic parallel parking sensors when you are ready to park.
  • Wait for your car’s automatic parallel parking system to inform you when it has found an appropriate spot for you to park.
  • Follow any prompts provided by your car’s automatic parallel parking feature. These may include pulling in front of the space, shifting into reverse and taking your hands off the steering wheel. You’re responsible for braking.
  • After your car is parked, you may need to do some slight adjustments to ensure your car is in an optimal position.

TIPS FOR USING

  • Remember that you are responsible for braking when using automatic parallel parking. You can override the automatic parallel parking maneuver by grabbing the steering wheel.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings while parking, including people or objects that may enter the parking path.
  • Make sure to read your owner’s manual for any directions you need to know when using this feature.
  • If possible, you may want to practice using this feature at your dealership under the guidance of a customer representative.

Question & Answers

What about perpendicular parking?

Some versions of automatic parking assisting features may be able to assist with perpendicular (straight-in) parking spots. Check your owner’s manual or with the technology provider for more information about your unique system’s features.

How does this feature avoid hitting the cars in front and behind you when parallel parking?

First, this feature will not allow you to activate it if a parking space does not have enough space to allow the feature to park your car. Second, when functioning properly, this feature is designed to not make contact with a car in front or behind your car as it maneuvers into the spot

Can I use this feature in a spot without a curb?

This depends greatly on the version of the automatic parallel parking feature you are using. Some features are designed so that it needs to be able to detect a curb before it will allow you to activate it. Other features are nearly exclusively reliant on the space between the two cars in which you want to parallel park, and not the presence of a curb.

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