Parking sensors make reversing into tricky spaces easier and help prevent minor damage to your car.

If you drive a lot in towns and cities you'll often find yourself having to manoeuvre your car into some tight parking spots. The result can often be minor damage. Our parking sensors make your job easier by warning when you're getting too close to something, preventing small knocks and scratches.

The system has up to six ultrasonic sensors located in the rear - and sometimes the front - bumpers. Compact, and painted in the body colour, they blend in well and are barely visible. The sensors monitor a range of up to 150 centimetres behind and, depending on the model, in front of the vehicle. The system swings into action when you engage reverse gear, or at very low speed.

It uses the principle of the echo sounder to detect obstacles and their distance from your car. If it senses you are too close it starts to sound an intermittent warning tone which gets faster the nearer you are. Get so close that a collision is imminent and the warning signal becomes continuous. If your car has a radio or radio navigation display this gives you extra help by showing exactly how close any obstacles are.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk