Counter productive parking sensors

Wobs · 16-01-2008, 20:53

New (55) Octy 4x4 with parking sensors. Good, new toy! Notice that when I get the continuous beep and proximity indication on the Stream display there's still 12-18" between the rear of the car and the obstruction.

Thinks "I've still got a good foot left." Result? Reverses it into wife's car.

How stupid can you get?

bryan · 16-01-2008, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wobs

New (55) Octy 4x4 with parking sensors. Good, new toy! Notice that when I get the continuous beep and proximity indication on the Stream display there's still 12-18" between the rear of the car and the obstruction.

Thinks "I've still got a good foot left." Result? Reverses it into wife's car.

How stupid can you get?

Checked this out on my car tonight, stopped right on continuous beep, got out to check gap, about 1mm

. Will need to try it a few more times to be sure of when to believe in it

Wobs · 16-01-2008, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryan

Checked this out on my car tonight, stopped right on continuous beep, got out to check gap, about 1mm

. Will need to try it a few more times to be sure of when to believe in it

Mine seems to be over-cautious in comparison - didn't stop me hitting something though! Luckily just a small puncture in the bumper where the number plate screw hit.
Car's christened now I suppose - just have to be more careful..

dstev2000 · 16-01-2008, 21:08

Does the accuracy of the sensors change depending on how dirty the sensors are perhaps?

Captain Scarlet · 16-01-2008, 21:34

When mine goes to continuous beep it is 12 inchs from the object. Has been very consistent in the year I've had it.

vRSLen · 16-01-2008, 22:44

Mine works OK, but would never trust it...

kmc · 16-01-2008, 22:56

I've had my 55 plate for a few weeks now and find also that the continuous beep is about 12 inches away so sometimes reverse back just a tiny bit more but as others have said, still have to trust own instinct - at the end of the day, they are only a parking aid! They are useful as a guide though!

bosnjo · 16-01-2008, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmc

I've had my 55 plate for a few weeks now and find also that the continuous beep is about 12 inches away!

Mine too

yashicamat · 16-01-2008, 23:07

About 12 inches for mine too. As has been said though, use judgement to determine if to go any further back.

bryan · 17-01-2008, 00:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstev2000

Does the accuracy of the sensors change depending on how dirty the sensors are perhaps?

My car was less than 2 days on the road, so could not have been "That" dirty to start with, but being my new toy had also washed it about 12hrs befor this so no way was dirty

Wobs · 17-01-2008, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmc

still have to trust own instinct - at the end of the day, they are only a parking aid! They are useful as a guide though!

Yep - that seems to be the bottom line - they're not idiot proof (as I proved). BTW mine were fairly clean too.

Octavia5 · 17-01-2008, 08:40

At continuous tone mine leave about 12inches behind the bumper and have done since the car was new - 18months now - now trust them absolutely. Have noticed no difference whether the cars in desperate need of a clean or just washed.

eccleshill · 17-01-2008, 08:43

The real trouble though is that they only work when you have reverse gear selected!! Some idiot not a million miles from where I am sitting decided that he needed to shift a little further to the left in the drive. Selected 1st, did a jiggle and then just depressed the clutch and let it roll back down the slope. Oooops!

Stopped just before I shortened my wife's car.

Moral is - make sure you still look where you are going.

I still marvel at the confidence the salesman had in the system (and my driving) when I did a test with the reversing sensors. Despite the presence of the side of a building that I was going to reverse to he insisted on standing behind the car. He never flinched!!

For the record I get a continuous beep about 9" away from walls, cars or salesmen.

Wobs · 17-01-2008, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by eccleshill

For the record I get a continuous beep about 9" away from walls, cars or salesmen.

I've never tried to reverse into a salesman however strong the temptation may have been

Sammycarp · 17-01-2008, 11:17

Mine is about 12" too

I don't think dirt makes any difference, I only recently washed mine for the first time (21k, and 11 months later), and they were still working fine.

Decron · 17-01-2008, 11:38

See, I thought they were calibrated to take into account the tailgate opening. They are on the Roomster.

Sammycarp · 17-01-2008, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decron

See, I thought they were calibrated to take into account the tailgate opening. They are on the Roomster.

Ooh, that would make sense...

runboy · 17-01-2008, 12:03

I get the long beep when about a foot away from the object so probably in line with most comments on here. I did get some false readings only once when the bumper was very, very dirty. I brushed some dirt off the sensors and they were ok again. Never had a problem before or since though.

Burnsey · 17-01-2008, 12:03

And there was I just coming on here to say how much I like my new toy - I think the graphical display is well smart. Looks very upmarket for a "budget" car.
I just picked it up last night, and only niggle is the dealer put the hatch dog guard in instead of the estate one, will get it sorted next time I'm passing.

FocusZtec · 17-01-2008, 12:04

My front and rear park sensors were actually the least exciting option I went for but boy am I glad I did.

Faultless and 30cm approx when the the final bold line is displayed - thats front and back.

I wash the car fairly regularly though so the sensors do get cleaned on a regular basis however.

Lee

16-01-2008, 20:53	#1
Wobs Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 25 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Counter productive parking sensors New (55) Octy 4x4 with parking sensors. Good, new toy! Notice that when I get the continuous beep and proximity indication on the Stream display there's still 12-18" between the rear of the car and the obstruction. Thinks "I've still got a good foot left." Result? Reverses it into wife's car. How stupid can you get?

16-01-2008, 21:08	#4
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors Does the accuracy of the sensors change depending on how dirty the sensors are perhaps? __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

16-01-2008, 21:34	#5
Captain Scarlet Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carlisle Posts: 2,546 Thanks: 94 Thanked 128 Times in 121 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors When mine goes to continuous beep it is 12 inchs from the object. Has been very consistent in the year I've had it. __________________ Running on the fuel of Satan....

16-01-2008, 22:44	#6
vRSLen Bully Bully :) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 5,070 Thanks: 169 Thanked 178 Times in 123 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors Mine works OK, but would never trust it... __________________ Current car: Black MKII Octavia vRS Combi Previous: Black MKI Octavia vRS Combi Black Fabia Elegance 100 BHP

16-01-2008, 22:56	#7
kmc Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 64 Thanks: 11 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors I've had my 55 plate for a few weeks now and find also that the continuous beep is about 12 inches away so sometimes reverse back just a tiny bit more but as others have said, still have to trust own instinct - at the end of the day, they are only a parking aid! They are useful as a guide though!

16-01-2008, 23:07	#9
yashicamat Ah ah ah . . no Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire Posts: 2,629 Thanks: 34 Thanked 31 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors About 12 inches for mine too. As has been said though, use judgement to determine if to go any further back. __________________ Rob Nissan Primera GT in Silver '56 Octy 2 2.0TDi Elegance . . . also gone but not forgotten 2002 Fabia 1.9TDi . . . . gone but not forgotten http://uk.youtube.com/yashicamatonline

17-01-2008, 08:40	#12
Octavia5 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wellingborough, Northants Posts: 290 Thanks: 1 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors At continuous tone mine leave about 12inches behind the bumper and have done since the car was new - 18months now - now trust them absolutely. Have noticed no difference whether the cars in desperate need of a clean or just washed. __________________ '06 Octavia Elegance 2.0TDI DSG - Diamond Silver

17-01-2008, 08:43	#13
eccleshill Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Leeds Posts: 225 Thanks: 8 Thanked 20 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors The real trouble though is that they only work when you have reverse gear selected!! Some idiot not a million miles from where I am sitting decided that he needed to shift a little further to the left in the drive. Selected 1st, did a jiggle and then just depressed the clutch and let it roll back down the slope. Oooops! Stopped just before I shortened my wife's car. Moral is - make sure you still look where you are going. I still marvel at the confidence the salesman had in the system (and my driving) when I did a test with the reversing sensors. Despite the presence of the side of a building that I was going to reverse to he insisted on standing behind the car. He never flinched!! For the record I get a continuous beep about 9" away from walls, cars or salesmen.

17-01-2008, 11:17	#15
Sammycarp Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Cheltenham Posts: 166 Thanks: 1 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors Mine is about 12" too I don't think dirt makes any difference, I only recently washed mine for the first time (21k, and 11 months later), and they were still working fine. __________________ Non Illegitematae Carborundum!

17-01-2008, 11:38	#16
Decron It's all good Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cwmbran - South Wales Posts: 3,374 Thanks: 58 Thanked 222 Times in 171 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors See, I thought they were calibrated to take into account the tailgate opening. They are on the Roomster.

17-01-2008, 12:03	#18
runboy Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 538 Thanks: 19 Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors I get the long beep when about a foot away from the object so probably in line with most comments on here. I did get some false readings only once when the bumper was very, very dirty. I brushed some dirt off the sensors and they were ok again. Never had a problem before or since though. __________________ 2007 Octavia Hatchback, 2.0TDI DSG L&K in Black Magic.

17-01-2008, 12:03	#19
Burnsey Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: GLASGOW Posts: 399 Thanks: 13 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors And there was I just coming on here to say how much I like my new toy - I think the graphical display is well smart. Looks very upmarket for a "budget" car. I just picked it up last night, and only niggle is the dealer put the hatch dog guard in instead of the estate one, will get it sorted next time I'm passing. Last edited by Burnsey; 17-01-2008 at 16:23.

17-01-2008, 12:04	#20
FocusZtec Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: North London Posts: 768 Thanks: 21 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Counter productive parking sensors My front and rear park sensors were actually the least exciting option I went for but boy am I glad I did. Faultless and 30cm approx when the the final bold line is displayed - thats front and back. I wash the car fairly regularly though so the sensors do get cleaned on a regular basis however. Lee __________________ Thanks to JKM: REVO STAGE 2+ remap, Evoms CAI, Piper Turbo back Exhaust, Autotech Fuel Pump, Torque Arm Insert, Forge Recirc, Neuspeed Turbo & Intercooler pipes, APR FMIC, Iridium plugs, Koni FSD's, Eibach springs, Eibach F + R anti roll bars. VF short shifter. 345mm Brakes. 280BHP & 330LB/FT - enough room for a proper trip to B&Q and 36mpg on a run!!!

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