How to read parking sensors

What the sensor tells you

A parking sensor tells you two things: how close an obstacle is and which side it is on. You hear the distance and see the direction in the on-screen diagram.

In Parking Trainer the sensor detects obstacles up to 1.2 m away. The diagram around the car marks the side the obstacle is on. The beeps get faster as it gets closer, and at roughly 35 cm and below the tone becomes continuous.

Three zones, three reactions

Thinking of the sensor as three zones helps you decide quickly what to do mid-manoeuvre.

• Slow beeps: something is there but you have room. Keep going at the same controlled pace.
• Faster beeps: the gap is closing quickly. Slow down, check the diagram and work out which corner is closing in.
• Continuous tone: stop. You may need to correct your angle before going any further.

Read the diagram with the sound

Sound alone does not tell you which corner is closing in. When parallel parking the rear corner can approach the kerb; when reverse parking a side corner can approach the neighbouring car. When you hear the beeps, glance at the diagram: correct towards the side the warning is on.

In the game the sensor goes quiet when you shift to P. That is why the sound stops once you have parked.

In a real car

Real parking sensors do not always pick up thin posts, low kerbs or small objects very close to the bumper. Treat the sensor as an aid and keep using your mirrors and shoulder checks.