Ford Explorer: Parking Aid - Vehicles With: Rear Parking Aid / Description and Operation - Parking Aid - System Operation and Component Description

System Operation

Parking Aid - Audible

System Diagram without 360 Degree View Camera

System Diagram with 360 Degree View Camera

Network Message Chart

  PAM Network Input Messages (Vehicles without 360 degree camera)

  IPMB Network Input Messages (Vehicles with 360 degree camera)

  IPC Network Input Messages

  APIM Network Input Messages

  ACM Network Input Messages

  DSP Network Input Messages

Audible Parking Aid System Operation

The rear parking aid system calculates the distance to an object around the rear of the vehicle using 4 ultrasonic sensors. The rear parking aid sensors detect objects approximately 180 cm (70 in) from the rear of the vehicle, 50 cm (20 in) from the rear side of the vehicle, and 30 cm (12 in) above the ground. To detect objects behind the vehicle, the PAM (on vehicles without 360 degree view camera) or IPMB (on vehicles with 360 degree view camera) supplies voltage and ground to the rear ultrasonic sensors while monitoring a signal return circuit from each sensor. The 4 rear sensors share common voltage and ground circuits.

The front parking aid system calculates the distance to an object around the front of the vehicle using 4 ultrasonic sensors. The front parking aid sensors detect objects approximately 70 cm (27 in) from the front of the vehicle, 50 cm (20 in) from the front side of the vehicle, 30 cm (12 in) above the ground. To detect objects in front of the vehicle, the PAM (on vehicles without 360 degree view camera) or IPMB (on vehicles with 360 degree view camera) supplies voltage and ground to the front ultrasonic sensors while monitoring a signal return circuit from each sensor. The 4 front sensors share common voltage and ground circuits. Vehicles equipped with active park assist must be equipped with the front parking aid system.

Only objects that reflect a sufficient amount of sound waves are detected by the parking aid sensors. The surface properties, size and composition of an object can affect the ability of the parking aid system to detect the object.

Parking aid operation may also be affected by:

• Improper sensor installation or alignment
• Dirt or ice covered sensors
• Heavy rain or snow

The parking aid system detects objects under the following conditions:

• The vehicle is in REVERSE (rear parking aid).
• The vehicle is in motion in any gear except NEUTRAL (front parking aid and side sensing system, if equipped).
• The vehicle is moving toward the object.
• The vehicle is stationary and the object is moving toward the vehicle.
• The vehicle and object are both moving toward one another.

The following may trigger false detections when driving at slow/creeping speeds (could be decelerating or accelerating) less than 12 km/h (8 mph), but not at stop:

• Near another vehicle equipped with parking aid sensors. The other vehicle could be several meters away (it does not have to be within the detection zone of the host vehicle).
• Near a semi truck or school bus with air brakes (while the bus/truck is applying their brake).
• Near another signal with the same frequency.

NOTE: There is no false detection when the vehicle is at a standstill. Even if the sensors are detecting something, the system does not sound a warning when the vehicle is not moving.

As the distance to the obstacle decreases, the indicator blocks illuminate and move toward the vehicle icon as displayed on the audio system display. If there is no obstacle detected, the distance indicator blocks show greyed out.

Side Sensing (If Equipped with Active Park Assist)

The side sensing system calculates the distance to an object around the sides of the vehicle using the four active parking aid sensors used for the active park assist. The side sensors detect objects approximately 60 cm (24 in) from the side of the vehicle. A chime sounds when an object is approximately 30 cm (12 in) from the side of the vehicle. To detect objects on the sides of the vehicle, the IPMB supplies voltage and ground to the front ultrasonic sensors while monitoring a signal return circuit from each sensor. The 2 front side sensors share common voltage and ground circuits with the front parking aid sensors. The 2 rear side sensors share common voltage and ground circuits with the rear parking aid sensors.

Parking Aid Audible Alert

Audio system volume is automatically reduced when a parking aid alert tone is sounded. The alert tone frequency increases as the vehicle gets closer to an obstacle. When an object is detected within 30 cm (12 in) of the sensors, the warning tone becomes continuous. When the vehicle stops moving the continuous tone stops after 3 seconds until the vehicle moves again. Objects detected outside the continuous tone area to the side of the vehicle generate a warning tone for 3 seconds. The warning tones are prioritized to the closest object. If the front and rear objects are located the same distance from the vehicle, the rear object is prioritized.

Component Description

Active Park Assist Sensors

Refer to: Parking Aid - System Operation and Component Description (413-13C Parking Aid - Vehicles With: Active Park Assist, Description and Operation).

IPMB (With 360 Degree View Camera)

The IPMB calculates and reports (via audio system tones) the distance between the front or rear bumper of the vehicle and an object. The IPMB requires a PMI when replaced.

Parking Aid Sensors

NOTE: The operating temperature range for the parking aid sensors is -40°C (-40°F) to 85°C (176°F).

The parking aid sensors are wide beam ultrasonic sensors. The sensors continuously send out ultrasonic signals to detect objects and communicate the information back to the PAM or IPMB.

Only objects which reflect enough sound waves are detected by the sensors. This varies due to the shape, surface properties and size of objects being detected. Incorrect sensor alignment, dirt covered sensors, heavy rain or snow can cause objects not to be recognized.

PAM (Without 360 Degree View Camera)

The PAM calculates and reports (via audio system tones) the distance between the front or rear bumper of the vehicle and an object. The PAM requires PMI when replaced.

Parking Aid Switch

The rear parking aid only system is enabled or disabled using the menu in the IPC message center. On vehicles equipped with rear parking aid and front parking aid, the system is enabled or disabled using the parking aid switch on the FCIMB instead of the menu in the IPC message center. The parking aid system is enabled by default and cannot be disabled when a MyKey® restricted key is in use.