The parking assist system can help drivers avoid certain objects in their path during low-speed parking. The distance and location of the object is determined by four object sensors located in the rear fascia. The parking assist system may not detect all children, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals or objects below the bumper. Drivers should remember to always check the area around the vehicle before shifting into REVERSE. The parking assist system will not stop or slow down a vehicle. It does not engage a vehicle’s throttle or braking. No safety system can take the place of an alert and engaged driver.

The parking assist system is made up of the following components:

• K182 Parking Assist Control Module
• B306 Parking Assist Sensors
• Parking Assist Switch
• Parking Assist Switch Indicator
• Safety Alert Seat (HS1)
• Infotainment system

The K182 Parking Assist Control Module provides a reference voltage and a low reference to the B306 Parking Assist Sensors. The K182 Parking Assist Control Module receives individual signals from each of the four B306 Parking Assist Sensors and determines the location and distance of an object based on these inputs. When an object is detected, the K182 Parking Assist Control Module will send a serial data message to the infotainment system requesting an audible alert.

The B306 Parking Assist Sensors are located in the rear fascia of the vehicle. The sensors are used to determine the distance between an object and the bumper. Each sensor emits an ultrasonic frequency which is reflected off any object located 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 K182 Parking Assist Control Module.

The parking assist system can be activated and deactivated by pressing the parking assist switch. The K182 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 K182 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 K182 Parking Assist Control Module is low. The K182 Parking Assist Control Module will respond to this by activating or deactivating the parking assist function.

When the parking assist system is enabled, the K182 Parking Assist Control Module will illuminate the indicator on the switch. The indicator receives voltage through a high control circuit from the K9 Body Control Module and is controlled through a low control circuit by the K182 Parking Assist Control Module.

The K40 Seat Memory Control Module controls the P45 Seat Haptic Movement Motors. The P45 Seat Haptic Movement Motors provide haptic alert to the driver. If an object is detected, the K40 Seat Memory Control Module will command pulses to the P45 Seat Haptic Movement Motors as an alert to the driver.

The infotainment system controls the audible alert for the parking assist system. If the an object is detected the infotainment system will command beeps as an audible alert to the driver.

The parking assist system uses 4 B306 Parking Assist Sensors located on the rear fascia and only functions when the transmission is in REVERSE. When a driver is backing up at a low speed, below 8 km/h (5 mph), the B306 Parking Assist Sensors may detect objects up to 8 feet (2.4 m) behind the vehicle. When an object is within the measuring range of the B306 Parking Assist Sensors, the ultrasonic pulse is reflected and is received by the sending or a neighboring sensor. The sensor converts this signal into a voltage signal and sends this signal to the K182 Parking Assist Control Module. The K182 Parking Assist Control Module evaluates the received sensor signals.

When an object is first detected while backing up, the parking assist system emits low-pitched beeps from the rear speakers, or, if the vehicle is equipped with the Safety Alert Seat (HS1), the seat pulses 2 times on both sides of the seat. On some vehicles, the time between beeps may get shorter as the vehicle approaches the detected object . When an object is within 0.6 m (2 ft) of the bumper, 5 repeating low-pitched beeps are played from the rear speakers, or, if the vehicle is equipped with the Safety Alert Seat (HS1), it pulses 5 times on both sides. When an object is within 0.3 m (1 ft) of the bumper, repeating low-pitched beeps or a continuous low-pitched tone is played from the rear speakers, or, if the vehicle is equipped with the Safety Alert Seat (HS1), the seat pulses 5 times on both sides

Some vehicles may also have a parking assist display with bars that show "distance to object," driving direction and object location information for the parking assist system. As the object gets closer, more bars light up and the bars change color from yellow to amber to red. As the vehicle gets closer to the detected object, distance-to-object information and caution triangles may be displayed that changes from yellow to amber to red.

The parking assist system can be turned ON and OFF using the parking assist switch control or through driver information center.

The K182 Parking Assist Control Module carries out a self test and monitors the sensors for electrical and mechanical faults. Monitored is the power supply of each sensor and the sensor signals. Mud, ice and snow may cause obstruction of the function of the sensors. The K182 Parking Assist Control Module also determines if the correct type of sensor is installed. If any of these tests fails, a DTC with corresponding symptom is set and the parking assist system is deactivated.

The driver information center displays SERVICE PARK ASSIST when the K182 Parking Assist Control Module detects a malfunction in the parking assist system and the system is disabled. The driver information center also displays SERVICE PARK ASSIST when a loss of communication occurs with the K182 Parking Assist Control Module.

The PARK ASSIST OFF message is displayed in the driver information center when the parking assist system is disabled due to conditions that disable or inhibit the system. The K182 Parking Assist Control Module requests the driver information center display PARK ASSIST OFF when it detects that one of the following conditions:

• The parking assist system is manually disabled.
• An object is attached to the rear of the vehicle, such as a trailer, bicycle rack, trailer hitch receiver, or tow bar. Also, an object extending beyond a lowered tailgate will disable the system.
• The parking assist sensors are covered by snow, mud, dirt, slush, or ice.
• The vehicle rear fascia is damaged.
• Excessive paint thickness on a replacement B306 Parking Assist Sensor.
• The B306 Parking Assist Sensors are disrupted by vibrations, like those caused by a large nearby vehicle or from heavy equipment such as a jackhammer.