Adding parking sensors to car - what is there to consider?

mrochester

mrochester

mrochester

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Hi all

I'm thinking of adding rear parking sensors to my car, but as a relatively new car owner (6 months) I want some advice about what to look out for. I understand that insurance companies ask if any modifications have been made to the car, which I'd have to declare. From what I can see, this pushes up the cost of insurance, but also seems to severely limit the number of companies who are prepared to insure.

Is it worth adding sensors to my car, and are there any other pitfalls I haven't thought about?

Many thanks

M.
 
What car is it? Could you get an OEM bumper with the sensors or cut outs for the sensors so it doesn't look so blatantly after market?
 
I doubt parking sensors count as modifications but just ask your insurance company.

To be honest, I'd just learn to park. They're handy if they come fitted to a car but if you're struggling to park without them then maybe a few more lessons are needed :)
 
Parking sensors make you lazy!

I have them on the latest car, and although they are good, I would not consider them essential in any way and if my next car did not have them, it would not bother me as long as it had everything else.
 
It all depends what car it is. I have found a lot of new cars are very hard to determin where the back end is. I never used to have the problem on my old mondeos or even either of my 200sx but my newer mondeo and lexus are pretty difficult to gauge where the bumper ends. Luckily on the Lexus i have reversing camera and sensors but the mondeo was a pain. Think it was more to do with the rear screen was a fair bit smaller and the back was higher than other cars i have owned. Luckily i only ever parked it in the bushes at work.. :p
 
Hi, I agree with you there as I owned a Mk4 Mondeo. To be honest all the comments that say if you need them then you need lessons are rather pedantic and are probably similar to the same when wing mirrors first came along. Once you've had them and used them correctly they are a bonus to your driving experiences, however they are there to aid and should not be relied upon.

Now back on topic, if it is a recent Ford model then the markings for the sensors should be there on the inside of the bumper, don't know about other manufacturers though..
 
I have fitted them on my Zafira B and I bought the OEM trim that fits on the bottom of the bumper to fit them (you can't tell they are after market)

I used the Quanan parking sensors low bumper version, they work great and or as good if not better than OEM system (cars I have tested)

These are a benefit me as the wife will not have an excuse and the Zafira has rubbish rear view.



I have also fitted parking dynamic sensor to a friends Audi A3 and these don't require holes but removal of the bumper, but these work very well but are a little pricey.
 
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I have them on a galaxy which are useful but not essential when parking, it depends on the size of the car and the visibility it has. What are you driving? We had a grand punto as a courtesy car a while ago the rear visibility was awful
 
Hi all, thanks for the response. I wasn't really asking whether I should get the sensors or not (already have some, but they could be returned), what I want to know is if there are any disadvantages to having a 3rd party accessory fitted to my car. I tried MoneySupermarket for insurance and parking sensors were classed as a modification on there, and subsequently raised the cost of, and reduced the number of available quotations.
 
mrochester said:
Hi all, thanks for the response. I wasn't really asking whether I should get the sensors or not (already have some, but they could be returned), what I want to know is if there are any disadvantages to having a 3rd party accessory fitted to my car. I tried MoneySupermarket for insurance and parking sensors were classed as a modification on there, and subsequently raised the cost of, and reduced the number of available quotations.
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I haven't told the insurance about mine or the oem cruise control, but they are all OEM parts and insurance would not be able to tell.
 
If you install them properly and the car could have come with them as standard it's highly unlikely to be something that's questioned in the event of a claim
 
I fitted them to my focus. It wa made so easy because on the Focus, the holes are marked out on the back of the bumper for the spacing, so it only took me 45 mins to do it.

I opted for the kit with just a speaker. All hidden away behind the trim, you wouldn't know, you'd think it OEM.

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rodenal said:
If you install them properly and the car could have come with them as standard it's highly unlikely to be something that's questioned in the event of a claim
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that was my thinking, all the mods I have done are all OEM fit and optional extra.
 
All cars come with parking sensors - it's those funny sticky out reflecty things on each side.

All cars come with parking sensors - when you hear the crunch you know it's time to stop.

Don't thank me :p
 
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