Ford Focus (2017 year). Manual — part 37

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

WARNINGS

To help avoid personal injury, please
read and understand the limitations
of the system as contained in this

section. Sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when
moving on a flat surface at parking speeds.
Certain objects with surfaces that absorb
ultrasonic waves, surrounding vehicle's
parking aid systems, traffic control
systems, fluorescent lamps, inclement
weather, air brakes, and external motors
and fans may also affect the function of
the sensing system; this may include
reduced performance or a false activation.

To help avoid personal injury, always
use caution when in reverse (R) and
when using the sensing system.

This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or moving
objects. The system is designed to

provide a warning to assist the driver in
detecting large stationary objects to avoid
damaging your vehicle. The system may
not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground.

Certain add-on devices such as large
trailer hitches, bike or surfboard racks
and any device that may block the

normal detection zone of the system, may
create false beeps.

Note: Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors
are covered, the system’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects.

Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alarms.

Note: The sensing system cannot be turned
off when a MyKey is present. See Principle
of Operation (page 54).

Note: If you attach certain add-on devices
such as a trailer or bike rack, the rear sensing
system may detect that add-on device and
therefore provide warnings. It is suggested
that you disable the rear sensing system
when you attach an add-on device to your
vehicle to prevent these warnings.

The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of your
vehicle. The system turns on automatically
whenever you switch the ignition on.

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You can turn the system on or
off by pressing the parking aid
button. If your vehicle does not

have a parking aid button, the system can
be switched off through the information
display menu or from the pop-up message
that appears once you shift the
transmission into reverse (R). See General
Information (page 91).

If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information
display. See Information Messages
(page 95).

REAR PARKING AID

The rear parking aid sensors automatically
turn on when you shift into reverse (R).

As your vehicle moves closer to the
obstacle, the rate of the audible warning
increases. When the obstacle is less than
12 in (30 cm) away, the warning sounds
continuously. If the system detects an
object farther than 12 in (30 cm) from the
corners of the bumper, the tone sounds for
only three seconds. If the system detects
an approaching object the warning sounds
again.

E130178

Coverage area of up to 6 ft (1.8 m) from
the rear bumper. There is decreased
coverage area at the outer corners of the
bumper.

The system detects certain objects while
the transmission is in reverse (R) :
•

Your vehicle is moving toward a
stationary object at a speed of 3 mph
(5 km/h) or less.

•

Your vehicle is not moving, but a
moving object is approaching the rear
of your vehicle at a speed of 3 mph
(5 km/h) or less.

•

Your vehicle is moving at a speed of
less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and a moving
object is approaching the rear of your
vehicle at a speed of less than 3 mph
(5 km/h).

FRONT PARKING AID

The front parking aid sensors automatically
turn on when you shift into reverse (R) or
a forward gear.

The front sensors are active when the
transmission is in any position other than
park (P) and the vehicle speed is below
7 mph (12 km/h).

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Coverage area of up to 28 in (70 cm) from
the front bumper. There is decreased
coverage area at the outer corners.

The system sounds an audible warning
when obstacles are near either bumper in
the following manner:
•

Objects detected by the front sensors
are indicated by a high-pitched tone
from the front of the vehicle.

•

Objects detected by the rear sensors
are indicated by a lower pitched tone
from the rear of the vehicle.

•

The sensing system reports the
obstacle which is closest to the front
or rear of the vehicle. For example, if
an obstacle is 12 in (30 cm) from the
front of the vehicle and, at the same
time, an obstacle is only 6 in (15 cm)
from the rear of the vehicle, the lower
pitched tone sounds.

•

An alternating warning sounds from
the front and rear if there are objects
at both bumpers that are closer than
12 in (30 cm).

The system provides warnings when your
vehicle is moving or when your vehicle is
stationary and the detected obstacle is
less than 12 in (30 cm) away from the
bumper.

ACTIVE PARK ASSIST

Parallel Parking, Perpendicular
Parking, Parallel Park Out Assist

WARNINGS

You must remain in your vehicle
when the system turns on. At all
times, you are responsible for

controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required. Failure
to take care may result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, serious personal
injury or death.

The sensors may not detect objects
in heavy rain or other conditions that
cause interference.

Active park assist does not apply the
brakes under any circumstances.

The system is designed to aid the
driver. It is not intended to replace
your attention and judgment. You are

still responsible to drive with due care and
attention.

Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not detect traffic alongside or behind
your vehicle during an active park assist
maneuver.

The system detects an available parallel
or perpendicular parking space and
automatically steers your vehicle into the
space (hands-free) while you control the
accelerator, gearshift and brakes. The
system visually and audibly guides you to
park your vehicle.

If you are uncomfortable with the proximity
to any vehicle or object, you may choose
to override the system by grabbing the
steering wheel or pushing the active park
assist button.

Parallel Park Out Assist automatically
steers your vehicle out of a parallel parking
space (hands-free) while you control the
accelerator, gearshift and brakes. The
system visually and audibly guides you to
enter traffic.

The system may not correctly operate in
any of the following conditions:
•

You use a spare tire or a tire
significantly worn more than the other
tires.

•

One or more tires are improperly
inflated.

•

You try to park on a tight curve.

•

Something passes between the front
bumper and the parking space (a
pedestrian or cyclist).

•

The edge of the neighboring parked
vehicle is high off the ground (for
example, a bus, tow truck or flatbed
truck).

•

The weather conditions are poor
(heavy rain, snow, fog, etc).

Note: Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. Covered sensors
can affect the system's accuracy. Do not
clean the sensors with sharp objects.

Note: The sensors may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb ultrasonic waves
or cause ultrasonic interference (motorcycle
exhaust, truck air brakes or horns).

Do not use the system if:
•

You have attached a foreign object (for
example, a bike rack or trailer) close to
the sensors on the front or rear of your
vehicle.

•

You have attached an overhanging
object (for example, a surfboard) to
the roof.

•

A foreign object damages or obstructs
the front or rear bumper or side
sensors.

•

The correct tire size is not in use on your
vehicle (for example, a mini-spare tire).

Using Active Park Assist - Parallel
Parking

E146186

Press the active park assist
button to search for a parallel
parking space.

When driving at a speed less than 22 mph
(35 km/h) the system automatically scans
both sides of your vehicle for an available
parking space. The system displays a
message and a corresponding graphic to
indicate it is searching for a parking space.
Use the direction indicator to select
searching either to the left-hand side or
right-hand side of your vehicle. If the
direction indicators are not used, the
system defaults to the passenger side of
your vehicle.

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Note: You can also activate the Active Park
Assist system after you have already driven
partially or completely past a parking space.
To do so, press the Active Park button and
the system will inform you if you have
recently passed a suitable parking space.

When the system finds a suitable space,
it displays a message and a tone sounds.
Stop your vehicle and follow the
instructions on the screen. If your vehicle
is moving very slowly, you may need to pull
forward a short distance before the system
is ready to park.

Note: You must observe that the selected
space remains clear of obstructions at all
times during the maneuver.

Note: You should drive your vehicle within
5 ft (1.5 m) and as parallel as possible to
the other vehicles while passing a parking
space.

Note: The system always offers the last
detected parking space (for example, if your
vehicle detects multiple spaces while you
are driving, it offers the last one).

Note: If driven above approximately 22 mph
(35 km/h), the system shows a message to
alert you to reduce your vehicle speed.

Automatic Steering into Parking Space

Note: If your vehicle speed exceeds
approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) or the
maneuver is interrupted (driver input), the
system switches off and you need to take
full control of your vehicle.

When you shift the transmission into
reverse (R), with your hands off the wheel
(and nothing obstructing its movement),
your vehicle steers itself into the space.
The system displays instructions to move
your vehicle back and forth in the space.