How Wraps and Parking Sensors Can Work in Harmony

The quest to be the first and the best in the automotive industry has produced advances in technology that create a driving experience that is easier, safer and more enjoyable. Originally patented in 1988 by two Italian inventors, Massimo Ciccarello and Ruggero Lenci, the ultrasonic parking sensor made its way to the production line in 2003. Toyota Prius was the first car model to make a chiming sound as a vehicle’s bumper hurled itself toward the concrete parkade wall. What followed was a storm of different inventions from the reverse camera and 360 viewing, to park assist and fully autonomous self-parking.

Here’s a quick lesson on how parking sensors work. The sensor emits a sound pulse in a frequency undetectable to the human ear. A receiver detects the reflected waves of sound and from there calculates distance from your vehicle to the object. If your vehicle is not equipped with sensors, they are available as an aftermarket option through the majority of aftermarket accessory websites or brick and mortar stores.

Parking sensors are particularly tricky when it comes to wrapping, and they have been an item of discussion among installers since their conception. The debate continues 15 years later. I have heard installers mention that films with metalized layers or chrome finishes create noise and obstruct the sensors’ ability to properly identify range. We have not seen a significant change in the ability to properly sense range due to wraps, but it is always best practice to wrap, trim and post heat before testing on each vehicle. Here are three different methods for wrapping vehicles with sensors