Front Parking Sensors - Detailed Feature Explained | V3Cars
In this Feature Explained article, we’ll present the most detailed analysis of the front parking sensors in your car. We’ll list out the pros and cons, explain how it works, provide the typical cost of getting front parking sensors from the aftermarket, and repair and replacement costs of front parking sensors. Based on this analysis, we’ll suggest if you should add this feature to your car or skip it.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Front Parking Sensors?
Front parking sensors are a valuable safety technology for drivers, particularly those who frequently navigate tight parking spaces. By utilising ultrasonic or electromagnetic waves to detect obstacles, these sensors provide an extra layer of awareness during low-speed manoeuvres. The pros or advantages of a front parking sensor are:
- Minimise scratches and bumps: Front sensors offer an audible alert system that warns you of impending contact with objects in front of your vehicle, preventing accidental scrapes and dings that can be costly to repair.
- Effortless parallel parking: The precise guidance provided by front sensors makes parallel parking a breeze, even in confined spaces. With real-time feedback on proximity to curbs or other vehicles, you can confidently manoeuvre your car into tight spots.
- Stress-free tight spot parking: Parking in narrow spaces becomes less stressful with the assistance of front sensors. The audible warnings take the guesswork out of judging distances, allowing you to park with greater accuracy and peace of mind.
The cons or disadvantages of front parking sensors are:
- Potential impact on vehicle appearance: For some drivers, the placement of front sensors on the bumper might be a slight aesthetic drawback. However, many modern sensors are designed to blend seamlessly with the car's design.
- Sensor replacement costs: If a sensor is damaged and needs replacement, it's essential to use a colour-matched sensor to maintain the vehicle's original look. This can add a slight cost factor compared to replacing rear sensors.
Overall, front parking sensors are a valuable investment for drivers who want to enhance their parking precision, minimise the risk of accidental damage, and experience greater confidence during low-speed manoeuvres.
Also Read: Rear Parking Camera - Detailed Feature Explained
What Are Front Parking Sensors?
Front parking sensors are small devices that are located on the front bumper of a car. Front parking sensors measure the proximity to objects at the front of your car and warn the driver via audible beeps. The beeping tone gets faster and more frequent as you get closer to the object or obstacle behind you. In short, front parking sensors locate objects or obstacles that the driver cannot view from inside the cabin.
How Do Front Parking Sensors Work?
There are 2 types of front parking sensors in the market currently - ultrasonic sensors and electromagnetic sensors. Ultrasonic front parking sensors make use of sound echo to detect and calculate the distance between the car and other objects. These sensors are placed on the front bumper of the car to ensure that acoustic waves can travel uninterrupted. Ultrasonic front parking sensors alert the driver of any object or obstacle by emitting audible beeps inside the cabin. The frequency of the beeps increases as you get closer to the object or obstacle ahead of you. Ultrasonic front parking sensors may not be able to detect flat or small objects. Hence, you must not rely on them entirely for your parking needs.
Electromagnetic front parking sensors, on the other hand, emit an electromagnetic field to detect objects at the front of the car. These sensors can be placed inside the bumper of the car. Thus, you won’t need to drill holes in the front bumper like with the case of ultrasonic front parking sensors.
How Expensive Is It To Repair Or Replace Front Parking Sensors?
The cost of repairing or replacing the front parking sensors on a car varies based on the manufacturer. Thanks to updated safety regulations in India, all new cars sold in the country get rear parking sensors as standard. However, front parking sensors aren’t part of the mandatory safety equipment list yet.
If you’ve damaged a sensor, it will cost you Rs. 2,000 or more to replace them. However, some manufacturers require you to replace the entire array of sensors and the wiring in the case of a damaged sensor. This could set you back by Rs. 8,000 or more depending on the model.
What Is The Cost Of Aftermarket Front Parking Sensors?
The most basic aftermarket front parking sensors typically cost as little as Rs. 600 at most car accessories shops or online retailers. However, the prices tend to go up based on the features they offer. For example, front parking sensors coupled with a camera and a 4-inch screen retail for Rs, 2,000 or more. Maruti Suzuki offer front parking sensors as an official accessory for the 2024 Brezza for around Rs. 5,000.
How Easy Or Complex Is It To Install Aftermarket Front Parking Sensors?
Based on the type of system, it can be really easy or super difficult to install front parking sensors on your car. To install aftermarket front parking sensors, you will need to drill holes into the front bumper, install the sensors and then route the wiring properly. Hence, it is best to leave this job to a professional. An important thing to remember while shopping for aftermarket sensors is to find ones that match your car’s bumpers colour.
What Cars Get Front Parking Sensors From The Factory?
Skoda Octavia, Kia Carens, Toyota Camry and Kia Sonet are some of the cars, which get front parking sensors from the factory.
Verdict - Should I Get Aftermarket Front Parking Sensors?
Like rear parking sensors, front parking sensors are beneficial for any driver, especially if you drive a car with a long bonnet. Since it enhances convenience by making parking easier, we would recommend this feature but it’s not very high on our priority list. Rear parking sensors and/or camera, on the other hand, are absolute must-haves in our opinion. You could get front parking sensors fixed from most aftermarket car accessories dealers for Rs. 2,000 - 5,000. Sedans, SUVs and large MPVs with long bonnets benefit the most from front parking sensors when packing the car in tight spaces. Hatchbacks generally have a shorter front bonnet length and most drivers don’t feel the need for this feature during regular use.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nikil Jonathan
Nikil's a huge fan of classic cars, especially Italian beauties such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint and the Iso Grifo. His love for cars and bikes originated when he first laid his eyes on a poster of the Ferrari F40 and the MV Agusta F4 when he was just a child. He also loves all things analogue, especially vintage cameras and turntables.
Does installing a front parking sensor in the aftermarket void your warranty? How do you inform your car insurance that you are installing after market front sensors ?