Park Assist

[synchronome]

Title says it all really,

If you have park assist, have you ever used it ?

[Rael]

Title says it all really,

If you have park assist, have you ever used it ?

I have Park Assist on my 07 T Spirit.

When I first got the car I played around with the Park Assist, and it definitely works.

But as a very confident reverse parker, I find that I can carry out the procedure far quicker "manually" than by using the Park Assist, so now I do not use the full automatic part of the system.

To successfully use Park Assist I found that the car has to be placed in exactly the right place where it would need to be to commence manual parking, therefore time is lost in fiddling with the screen to set things up to park automatically.

My wife who is not confident in reverse parking cannot make the Park Assist work, because she cannot visualise where the car needs to be to successfully start either a manual or (by definition therefore) an automatic procedure. Unfortunately the Park Assist cannot perform magic; if you start "miles out" from the ideal start position, it cannot be made to correct it's line to park perfectly.

What I do find very useful is the reversing camera, that comes with Park Assist, which takes all doubt out of the blind spots that usually hound the reverser. In addition the Park Assist system can superimpose on the camera image a couple of different systems (that can be chosen according to preference) of coloured lines showing the projected car position, rear bumper position, turning arcs etc, which I find to be a very useful guide for manual reversing.

I hope my comments assist in starting this discussion.

[timberwolf]

I've not tried the park assist yet.

Talking of the reversing camera, the view looks very grainy when it is dark, I am assuming that is normal?

[Rael]

I've not tried the park assist yet.

Talking of the reversing camera, the view looks very grainy when it is dark, I am assuming that is normal?

It is just the same on my 07 TSpirit, so I guess this is normal. I do seem to remember reading (it could have been in the manual) that night vision from the rear camera is enhanced, and the grainy nature of the view could be due to this. Certainly I find the image at night suitably bright. (Improved also no doubt by illumination from the reversing lights.)

[synchronome]

Yes I also get a grainy picture in the dark, but I have not tried the park assist yet - must find and empty car park and have time to read the manual before I give it a go.

[timberwolf]

Ah good, grainy is normal.

I only got as far as watching the parking DVD when I first got the Prius, the DVD and a skim through the Owner's manual seemed to hilight so many situations when the park assist wouldn't work, that I didn't feel in any hurry to try it out. The camera is nice to have though.

[niglom]

Tried to work it loads of times and I've always failed. Usually because it goes to fast and aborts.

However the rear camera is a great asset (unless it's wet) and the guide lines on the screen are a real help.

[benw123]

Title says it all really,

If you have park assist, have you ever used it ?

I have Park Assist on my 07 T Spirit.

When I first got the car I played around with the Park Assist, and it definitely works.

But as a very confident reverse parker, I find that I can carry out the procedure far quicker "manually" than by using the Park Assist, so now I do not use the full automatic part of the system.

To successfully use Park Assist I found that the car has to be placed in exactly the right place where it would need to be to commence manual parking, therefore time is lost in fiddling with the screen to set things up to park automatically.

My wife who is not confident in reverse parking cannot make the Park Assist work, because she cannot visualise where the car needs to be to successfully start either a manual or (by definition therefore) an automatic procedure. Unfortunately the Park Assist cannot perform magic; if you start "miles out" from the ideal start position, it cannot be made to correct it's line to park perfectly.

What I do find very useful is the reversing camera, that comes with Park Assist, which takes all doubt out of the blind spots that usually hound the reverser. In addition the Park Assist system can superimpose on the camera image a couple of different systems (that can be chosen according to preference) of coloured lines showing the projected car position, rear bumper position, turning arcs etc, which I find to be a very useful guide for manual reversing.

I hope my comments assist in starting this discussion.

That sums up my situation perfectly too - have given it a go, but never use it in the real world. The set up time is the biggest factor, as I imagine irritated motorists waiting for me to select the spot, accept the disclaimer etc.

Mind you, my 89 year-old grandfather was very impressed when I demonstrated it! :)

[dave@uk]

I have used in on my 08 T spirit. It works but its quicker to do it yourself. Good party trick however and the camera is good for parking. I did add parking sensors as well mainly because I have them on my old car and liked them.

[tjones7]

It's one of those things that people don't use because it takes too long, but it takes too long because people don't use it!!

I tried it out when I first got the car and found I couldn't get it to park straight and it took ages, so stopped. Then, a few months later I thought that I would try and master it and found that it is all about positioning the car properly to start with. After a while it got easier and quicker.

I don't use it if there are cars behind me though, as it still takes longer than parking it manually, so I suppose it is really a gimmick in that case then.

Rely totally on the reversing camera though, excellent.

On a general point, I get 'clever' comments about the Prius from friends all the time....until they actually go for a ride in it. Then their opinion changes, almost every time. Forget the fuel consumption, they all are surprised at the ride, quietness, ease of driving and equipment levels. Even the boot size, as people seem to think that the whole boot is full of batteries with no space for luggage.

[Mike Nelson]

Title says it all really,

If you have park assist, have you ever used it ?

We have the late 06 T spirit with the then option of park assist (bought only for the camera) and find that it does work but setting it up takes much longer than a confident driver would take to do the same. also its not too good in very tight spaces such s brighton where you only have 3 inches more than the car!!

when we did use it it DOES park accurately but needs more room than a confident driver can.. our impression is leave it for demo's but simply use it for the camera (now if we can only switch off that annoying and distracting beep (when in reverse) which being in front of you noisy when reversing takes your mind off the task of reversing!