Car Features That Simplify Parking

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Parking is an activity that every driver must undertake occasionally. Whether it's quickly entering a street parking spot or maneuvering through a multi-level parking garage, anyone who drives will eventually need to park their vehicle.

Some individuals find parking to be a source of anxiety, yet numerous vehicles today are equipped with various smart features designed to ease the process. Below are the essential technologies to consider when seeking a smooth parking experience.

Sensors

Certainly, reverse sensors have been included in vehicles for several years, but they have grown more advanced over time. Now, multiple sensors are placed around the exterior of a car, offering complete coverage of the surrounding area.

Many sensors use a sound notification along with a visual screen to assist you in parking successfully on the first attempt.

Cameras

Just like sensors, parking cameras have been standard in vehicles for many years. Yet, they are significantly more advanced today, with numerous cars utilizing high-definition cameras to offer a sharp view of the surroundings.

Several vehicles today come equipped with a 360-degree camera system, which combines footage from various cameras to form a comprehensive view around the car. Certain vehicle models enable users to select individual cameras for a closer look, like a curb-side angle that assists in parallel parking.

Self-park

Many new vehicles come with some degree of automation, but the capability to 'self-park' is one that could greatly assist numerous drivers. This feature has been present in cars for some time, although there have been significant advancements in its complexity. Simple systems enable the car to 'steer' itself into a parking spot, while the driver controls the brakes and accelerator. This system utilizes cameras to locate a space, confirm its suitability, and then carry out the parking action.

In certain vehicles, it's possible to park the car remotely using the key. Just align the car with a parking space and use the key to move it back into the spot. This is a useful feature, especially when dealing with tight spaces. Some systems, like Volkswagen's Park Assist Plus, can remember frequently used parking routes, such as reversing into a garage. All the driver needs to do is press a button once they're in the right position, and the car will park itself.

Rear-wheel steering

Although not specifically intended to assist with parking, rear-wheel steering can significantly ease the process for drivers of larger vehicles. Rear-wheel steering enables the rear wheels to move in the opposite direction of the front wheels when moving at lower speeds. This feature helps to reduce the vehicle's turning radius, making parking much simpler.

Next, when you're moving at higher speeds, the rear wheels function 'normally' to contribute to stability. It's an innovative feature commonly found on many premium, longer vehicles.

Rear-view cameras

In certain vehicles, the traditional rear-view mirror is being substituted – or in some cases, supplemented – with a rear-view camera. This system features a camera mounted at the rear of the car that transmits its visual feed to a display located inside the rear-view mirror.

Found on various vehicles, it helps provide a better view of the area behind you and may assist with making parking simpler as well.