[barfastic]

Hello guys,

I recently ordered a front splitter, and im planning on lowering my car in the near future.

But the thought of sidewalks and low obstacles in the front of the car are freaking me out.

I only have the rear parking sensors installed, and i was wondering if you could install front sensors afterwards, and or even better the surround view?

And then i asked myself, even if i do install these, will the sensors be able to pick up a sidewalk/curb? Anyone with front parking sensors please feel free to chime in!

TIA,

M

[Joe240]

doesn't work depending on the height of the curb. Normal curbs doesn't work. High curbs it does to some extent. I just pulled into a spot and activated the parking sensors and it started to at first, but then stopped. I got out and looked and I had about a foot and a half left still so just pulled up more and checked again unfortunately. Some curbs I can do it, others I can't. Why I typically try not to park in directional spots where I can't back in.

[mdputnam]

With the stock front sensors I have had success at detecting parking curbs with the following technique (YMMV): As you are driving down the parking lot turn on the parking sensors and camera (it is the button with the letter P at the bottom of the console stack)

This gives the ultrasonic system a few seconds to boot up with no obstacles in its path to mess up the boot process. Then slowly pull into the parking space perpendicular to the parking curb (not at even at a slight angle!!). The detection system will begin to flicker yellow as you approach the parking curb from about 3 feet away, the first time you see a tiny bit of red flicker stop, you are usually around 1 foot from the parking curb. If the yellow flickering suddenly stops you have gone past the minimum detection range (Stop!)
If there is no flickering as you are approaching the parking curb from 3 feet away the system can not detect the parking curb so you need to pull in manually. If the system is on solid as you approach, it is detecting something else like shrubbery, a wall, or another car. This technique only works on smooth level parking lots with cement parking curbs.

Now for a retrofit system, I have used a Curb Alert on my other cars. The only problem is the detection field of view is limited since there is only one sensor.

[DMB228]

If you are pulling into a spot and there is a car already parked on the driver's side you can look at the reflection on the side of the other car to see if you are getting close as well. Obviously this only works during the day but I do it all the time.

[Gabrola]

Originally Posted by DMB228

If you are pulling into a spot and there is a car already parked on the driver's side you can look at the reflection on the side of the other car to see if you are getting close as well. Obviously this only works during the day but I do it all the time.

And if the other car's clean

[M2OG]

I bought this https://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw...amera-retrofit

My car comes in around the new year. So I can't say how it is yet.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by Natek

I bought this https://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw...amera-retrofit

My car comes in around the new year. So I can't say how it is yet.

My 2015 X3 has a front camera. It's pretty much useless especially for what you've described (entering laneway/curb). The field of view is so wide you can't really make out what's directly in front of the car (like a curb).

[M2OG]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

My 2015 X3 has a front camera. It's pretty much useless especially for what you've described (entering laneway/curb). The field of view is so wide you can't really make out what's directly in front of the car (like a curb).

I plan on machining a custom mount so I can situate the camera to give me the optimal angle. Regardless of how wide the lens is, as long as the angle is sufficient there shouldn't be any issues avoiding parking blocks and curbs.