idaholion Posted February 5, 2014 at 12:00 AM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 12:00 AM I just bought a new 2013 Ford Fusion Energi Titanium, found a lot of things I love about the vehicle, but a couple I don't care for. Bought what I thought was the top of the line system, the only thing it didn't have was active park assist. none of the dealers had a car with that feature, and I didn't think it was an issue. I do know how to park. noticed that as I pulled in to my garage, there was no front sensor alarm to warn of things too close to the nose. Come to find out, if you don't have the park assist package, you don't get front sensors. The old Ford Escape Hybrid I traded in had front sensors, but not this "top of the line" car. When I asked, I was told that the only way to get front sensors was to get the park assist package. Seems like what should be a basic requirement on the newest cars, sensors all around. I mean, my car has a sensor to warn me if I have anyone in my blind spot, a sensor/camera to tell me if I am too close to the car in front of me while on cruise, or if I am drifting out of my lane, but no front parking sensors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chancelperry Posted February 5, 2014 at 12:05 AM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 12:05 AM I kind of find them annoying, but mostly they are helpful. They go off everytime I pull into the garage because I am too closs to the door when I am pulling it. Or when I park next to a bush, it goes off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_h Posted February 5, 2014 at 12:10 AM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 12:10 AM Yep gotta have APA to get those front sensors, we knew we wouldn't be using the parallel park with her car but I got a car with that package anyway so she would have those sensors when pulling into the garage or a parking spot... and glad we did. So now when using the drive-up ATM, sensors on her car go off since it senses an object very close to the side... when I go there with my car - nothin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardbc Posted February 5, 2014 at 02:20 AM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 02:20 AM I'm really surprised. I have the 2013 Titanium model too, so assumed all 2013 Titaniums had the sensors. I do like them, although they can give one false positives. Is it too late to return/exchange the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idaholion Posted February 5, 2014 at 05:10 PM Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 05:10 PM I could return it, but not exchange, since there are no titanium energi cars currently available anywhere my area with the Park Assist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy314 Posted February 5, 2014 at 07:45 PM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 07:45 PM I thought for a while you could add parking sensor to the front aftermarket. Look at accessories.ford.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted February 5, 2014 at 07:49 PM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 07:49 PM Actually, you can. It's a 300 dollar kit (before installation, unless you do it yourself). http://accessories.ford.com/park-assist-front-4-modules.html And that's far less expensive than 1000+ for the full on parallel parking assist. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idaholion Posted February 5, 2014 at 08:37 PM Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 08:37 PM Does it hook in to the fusion screen, or is it just an audible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted February 5, 2014 at 08:40 PM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 08:40 PM That kit is audible only, as it is with the driver package. I think only the F150 Raptor has a front mounted camera that will display through the touchscreen, and that's only in certain driving modes. The camera for lane keeping is solely for that feature, parallel parking package or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardbc Posted February 5, 2014 at 09:06 PM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 09:06 PM But if you're backing up, the camera display will show green, yellow, red lines to indicate how close you're getting to whatever, plus you'll get the warning beeps. When going forward, the warning beeps increase in intensity as you get closer to something you might hit. The back-up camera has me so spoiled, I wish it was there on the front too at very low speeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idaholion Posted February 5, 2014 at 09:09 PM Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 09:09 PM Sorry, I wasn't clear. If the park assist had been installed, I assume that the system would have some sort of a visual indicator in the energi screens showing what quadrant was too close. Is this system similar to that? I am really not interested in the park assist system, but would like the front sensor capability. Does it require a software update? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted February 5, 2014 at 09:23 PM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 09:23 PM Hmmm... I don't believe it gives you a visual indicator for the front sensors at all even if you have the factory park assist... Someone who has active park would have to chime in. The 300 dollar system is definitely audio only... comes with 4 sensors and apparently requires some special tool to install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric4539 Posted February 5, 2014 at 10:36 PM Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 10:36 PM I have the Active Park Assist and with the front sensors there isn't a visual as with the rear parking sensors. In the left gauge of the instrument cluster it shows which sensor is being activated; Front or Rear, sometimes both. I get the beeps every time I park in my garage. I reverse in so the rear sensors go off first until I clear the door frame, and then the front sensors go off until I am in the garage. The beeps turn into a steady tone if the car is extremely close to an object - 10 inches or less. There have been times when both front and rear sensors activate - that's an interesting symphony of beeps! I am used to watching the Nav screen and the left gauge whenever I am reversing. The front sensors have been particularly helpful when nosing out of a driveway that might have walls or bushes on either side that limit your line of sight. They have been of great help when exiting parking garages that have sidewalks that you have to cross before you enter the street. Pedestrians set off the front sensors before you get too close to make them think you're going to run them over. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idaholion Posted February 5, 2014 at 11:56 PM Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 at 11:56 PM OK, so there isn't a visual camera image, like with the rear, but there is a visual image on the left gauge which indicates that it is a front sensor going off. I wonder if the sensors in the accessories.ford.com package show that as well. when installed, I wonder if they tie in to the same existing system and act in a similar way? I have to admit, for parking going forward, my wife's Lexus has a great system, A car image appears on the big screen to the right, and anything close sets off a beep and a 3 bar yellow light, which goes to 2, 1 then a red bar when it is very close. Easy to see, and easier to park. But my back-up system, with the curving lines showing where you are going, is better, so everything is a trade-off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.