Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Parking Assist Description and Operation (with UD7): Notes
The parking assist system is designed to identify and notify the driver of an object in the vehicle path when reversing at speeds of less than 8 km/h (5 MPH). The distance and location of the object is determined by four object sensors located in the rear bumper. The parking assist system will notify the driver using audible beeps through the infotainment system.
The parking assist system is made up of the following components:
- Parking assist control module
- Object sensors
- Parking assist switch
- Parking assist switch indicator
- Infotainment system
Parking Assist Control Module
The parking assist control module provides a reference voltage and a low reference to the four object alarm sensors. The parking assist control module receives individual signals from each of the four sensors and determines the location and distance of an object based on these inputs. When an object is detected, the parking assist control module will send a message via serial data to the infotainment system requesting an audible alert.
Object Sensors
The object sensors are located in the rear bumper. The sensors are used to determine the distance between an object and the rear of the vehicle. Each sensor emits an ultrasonic frequency which is reflected off an object behind the vehicle. These reflections are received by the sensors. The time difference between the emission of the frequency and when the reflection is received is known as sensor echo time, it is used to determine the distance to the object. The sensors report this information to the parking assist control module.
Parking Assist Switch
The parking assist system can be activated and deactivated by pressing the parking assist switch. The parking assist control module applies voltage and monitors the parking assist switch signal circuit. The parking assist switch is a normally open switch. With the switch open, voltage seen at the parking assist control module is high. When the parking assist switch is pressed, the switch is closed and the signal circuit is pulled to ground. With the switch closed, voltage seen at the parking assist control module is low. The parking assist control module will respond to this by activating or deactivating the parking assist function.
Parking Assist Switch Indicator
When the parking assist system is enabled, the parking assist control module will illuminate the indicator on the switch. The indicator receives voltage through a high control circuit from the body control module (BCM) and is controlled through a low control circuit by the parking assist control module.
Infotainment System
The infotainment system controls the audible alert for the park assist alert. If the an object is detected the infotainment system will command beeps as an audible alert to the driver.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.