Parking Dynamics PD1 Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions having read the following FAQ's Contact Us with your Question. We are here to help.

Is the PD1 a universal parking sensor or car manufacturer specific?

For ease of selection we list by specific vehicle manufacturer but the PD1 front, rear and rear-vision are totally universal and fit any car or vehicle make and model. The PD1 fits cars, vehicles, 4x4, MPV, SUV and motorhomes. Either select the universal option or choose your car make.

What advantages does the PD1 have over traditional ultrasonic type sensors?

- The PD1 has many advantages including:

- Invisible when fitted design. Nobody will ever know its fitted.

- Full bumper coverage and protection without any missed areas that you get with ultrasonic sensors. Plus no need for 4 to 8 sensors.

- Capability to approach obstacles up to 10 centimetres away which is ideal for tight parking spaces. The ultrasonic type sensors are unable to distinguish distances below 30 cm.

- Compatible with vehicles that have a tow bar (tow hook) fitted or spare wheel fixed to rear door.

- The PD1 only starts detecting objects when actually moving towards an object and this has many safety advantages as well as being compatible with tow bars (towing hooks). Its important to know that the PD1 starts working immediately when you start moving backwards and so detects objects directly behind the car or vehicle within millimeters.

- Easier to install with less components.

Read more here

What are the Front and Rear PD1 product options?

The PD1 is available for the front and rear of your car / vehicle and is available in 3 different options. 1. The PD1-Rear has an audible alert and is activated by selecting reverse gear. 2. The PD1-Rear Vision has a visual and audible alert and is activated by selecting reverse gear. 3. The PD1-Front is for the front bumper and is activated by a push-button switch.

What objects can the PD1 detect?

The PD1 parking sensor can detect objects and obstacles of all kinds from people, vehicles, kerbs, walls, fences, skips all the way garage doors, bushes and garden materials.

The only material which has a lower detection is pure ceramic and glass if not containing contaminating particles.

Does the PD1 rear sensor have to be reset after it has run its alert cycle?

Once the PD1 system has completed its full cycle of zones 1, 2, 3 (alert/stop) the system will then need to be reset if you want the alerts again during the same parking manoeuvre. 

However, if when parking you only get alert zones 1 and 2 the PD1 system will continue to work and alert you, its only when you have hit zone 3 (alert/stop) that you need to reset the system (by selecting reverse gear again) to reactivate the PD1.

Likewise if you have parked within say 20cm of an object, when you reativate the system it will once again alert you to this object (once you start moving backwards - see question below) because switching off the system resets the PD1.

Can a tow bar (towing hook) or spare wheel fixed to rear door affect the operation of the rear PD1 sensor?

No because the PD1 system only detects objects that are approaching the car/antenna sensor and so it recognises that the tow bar (towing hook) or spare wheel are fixed to the vehicle and ignores these. The PD1 only starts working once the vehicle starts moving towards an object. This detection is instant and detects objects directly behind the vehicle within millimeters of your movement.

 

Does the bumper have to be removed to install the antenna?

The antenna sensor is applied to the inner surface of the bumper and to install this we recommend you remove the bumper. On some vehicles you can install it without removing the antenna but you will need to check your specific set up.

On some cars just loosening the bumper by releasing the locator screws will enable access for installation.

Can i install the PD1 sensors or do i have to find a professional installer?

Any good DIYer can fit the PD1 sensors. The electrical connections are very simple and the only resistance you may find is removing the bumper but this is easier than it at first may seem.

Removal of the bumper is not as difficult as it at first may seem and is typically held on with 2-4 main bolts and screws and some locators. In a few cases rivets are used that need to be popped out and simply replaced from your dealer parts department (at a minimal cost) when re-fitting.

If required your dealer's parts department can provide an exploded view (print off) of your front and rear bumper assembly and this will show you exactly how the bumper is fixed to your car or vehicle and where any screws, locators or rivets can be found. Alternatively a Haynes Manual will detail this information.

If you choose a professional installation most auto electricians, car audio and security installers, mechanics and body shop technicians will remove the bumper literally in minutes.

Post sale you will receive an email of our recommended professional installers.

I've just phoned an installer for a quote and he said the PD1 is not compatible with my car and tried to sell me an ultrasonic sensor kit as an alternative? 

Its a good idea to read through the installation instructions prior to phoning so you can brief them on the PD1 product prior to getting a quote from an auto electrician, mechanic, bodyshop, garage or mobile installer.

When you phone for a quote its vital you say that you have already purchsed the sensor from Parking Dynamics and are just looking for installation. Here's why...

Most installers only know about the cheap (manufactured in China) ultrasonic parking sensors and so aren't aware of the high quality and the ease of installation of the PD1 parking sensors (manufactured in Europe). 

Some installers also import these cheap ultrasonic parking sensors and make huge profits on them. When you phone them for a quote they may slam the PD1 and blatently lie about its compatibility with your car. This is an unprofessional and dirty strategy to get your sale. Parking Dynamics is manufacturered in Europe and is compatible with 99.9% of cars and vehicles on the planet and is supplied to Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot.

If an installer we have recommended does this please let us know so we can remove them from our recommended installer list immediately.

My vehicle has a metal crash protection bar directly behind the bumper; can it cause a malfunction in the operation of the PD1 sensor system?

If the metal crash protection bar can only reduce the detection range but does not affect the operation. If the antenna is within 3 cm of the metal crash protection bar when the bumper is refitted you simply run 2 antennas in parallel and join at one end. View the solution and request a 2nd antenna when requested in the checkout process of the website.

Is it possible to cut the antenna sensor or rejoin if i break it?

After you apply the sensor antenna to the bumper cut any excess off. If you break the antenna simply overlap at the break and re-join. The antenna is strong and robust and will not break unless you physically tear it.

How long is the antenna sensor?

The antenna sensor is a robust metallic adhesive tape that is 2.60 m long and 1 cm high. At request 3.50 m. version is available.

Can I apply the antenna sensor on an irregular shaped bumper?

The Parking Dynamics PD1 sensor antenna is 1cm in height and offers limitless and flexible installations on front and rear bumpers of all shapes and sizes. The images below show that the antenna that mounts on the inner side of your bumper can fit an irregular shaped bumper without problems giving you optimum operation and total parking protection.

Is the PD1 sensor compatible with cars that have automatic transmission?

Yes, there are no problems. Installation is exactly the same.