Though we’d recommend you come into the shop to have this installation done by our professionals, we’ll outline the basics of installation so you can understand the process better. Just keep in mind that the installation may differ a little bit based on the type of car you’re installing the sensors on.
Choosing the Reverse Sensor Installation Locations
The first step is to figure out where the reverse parking sensors will go. Grab a measuring tape and some masking tape, then mark the locations of where the sensors will be placed.
You’ll want the sensors to be between 12 to 15 inches apart and 20 to 32 inches from the floor. And the spacing between the sensors themselves should be even. Finally, make sure the area of the bumper you choose is flat so the sensors will be facing directly out rather than up and down or side to side.
Once you have the locations chosen, you need to drill the holes in which you’ll place the sensors. This part is a little tricky (part of the reason we recommend professional installation) because you need to make sure you have the right size drill bit and you need to hold the drill at a 90-degree angle. Otherwise, the sensors aren’t going to fit well.
Placing and Wiring the Reverse Parking Sensors
Once you’ve drilled the holes, clean up the drill holes to make sure no rough edges are left—this is especially important in Hawai’i where rough edges can lead to corrosion. Since, at this point, you’re almost ready to wire the sensors, you need a power supply. Your sensors come with a control unit which needs to be connected to the power supply for your parking lights.
You’ll need to check your owner’s manual to find the power leads for your reverse parking light. Then, once you’ve located the wiring for the reverse parking lights, you’ll need to connect the control unit’s wiring to those power leads. From there, you just need to connect the correct inputs from the reversing sensors to the control unit. Also, keep in mind that your control unit should be in a location that’s not going to get wet or damaged.
Enjoy Parking With Ease All Over Hawai’i
Parking on the crowded streets of downtown Honolulu? Squeezing into a spot on the side of the road on a busy North Shore day? Either way, once you’ve got your car’s backup sensors installed, parking is easy and stress-free.
Give us a call if you have any questions about car backup sensor installations. And if you’re looking to take a step further and install a backup camera as well, we can help with that too.
