Proximity Sensor Question
01-17-14, 04:48 PM
#1
Proximity Sensor Question
I have a 2013 RX350 with the Inuitive Parking Assist option.
Yesterday morning, while reversing out of my garage, I almost scraped the sides of my minivan which was parked outside. I was coming in at an angle almost parallel to the van but slightly angled towards it.
Of course it was my fault for not having looked all around before starting to reverse. As it is, I suddenly found to my horror that I was just about 2 inches away from the van and coming in at an angle such that I would have collided/scraped it if I did not stop. Luckily, I averted such an unhappy outcome.
But I am puzzled why the parking assist sensors did not alert me. They were definitely on and they do seem to work on other occasions. As per the diagram in page 407 of the manual (see here), the corner sensors should have detected and warned me.
Am I expecting too much? Are the sensors on my car defective or not sensitive enough? Or is it because I was coming against the obstruction (the van) at an angle that was almost parallel to it?
Yesterday morning, while reversing out of my garage, I almost scraped the sides of my minivan which was parked outside. I was coming in at an angle almost parallel to the van but slightly angled towards it.
Of course it was my fault for not having looked all around before starting to reverse. As it is, I suddenly found to my horror that I was just about 2 inches away from the van and coming in at an angle such that I would have collided/scraped it if I did not stop. Luckily, I averted such an unhappy outcome.
But I am puzzled why the parking assist sensors did not alert me. They were definitely on and they do seem to work on other occasions. As per the diagram in page 407 of the manual (see here), the corner sensors should have detected and warned me.
Am I expecting too much? Are the sensors on my car defective or not sensitive enough? Or is it because I was coming against the obstruction (the van) at an angle that was almost parallel to it?
01-17-14, 07:54 PM
#2
The pursuit of F
I think you may be on to something regarding the angle of approach. It's possible that the system calculates a rate of change in distance and if it does not exceed a minimum rate threshold, it may not alert. By going in on a slight (and likely very slow) angle as you did, the change in the distance while backing up was minimal below the "threshold" and the system may not have detected this as a threat. Of course, one of your sensors can also be defective...
Unfortunately I don't have the sensors on my RX, but what I'd do is try the exact maneuver to see if you can replicate it at the same or even shallower angle. Try different speeds (safely) as well as different angles. If you can, try it also backing up from the other side to see if you get the same results. These "tests" will help you in figuring out if it's just understanding the system and its limitations or pinpointing an issue.
Unfortunately I don't have the sensors on my RX, but what I'd do is try the exact maneuver to see if you can replicate it at the same or even shallower angle. Try different speeds (safely) as well as different angles. If you can, try it also backing up from the other side to see if you get the same results. These "tests" will help you in figuring out if it's just understanding the system and its limitations or pinpointing an issue.
01-18-14, 06:08 PM
#3
I should be the proud new owner of a 2014 RX 350 very soon.
I notice the manual pages you linked says "do not apply intensive bursts of water or steam to the sensors" when washing the car.
Has anyone had problems when going through a car wash?
Pete
I notice the manual pages you linked says "do not apply intensive bursts of water or steam to the sensors" when washing the car.
Has anyone had problems when going through a car wash?
Pete
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