Buick Encore: Driver Assistance Systems / Park Assist

If equipped, the Front and Rear Park Assist (FRPA) system assists you with parking and avoiding objects. FRPA operates at speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph). The sensors on the front and rear bumper detect objects up to 1.2 m (4 ft) in front of the vehicle, 2.5 m (8 ft) behind the vehicle, and at least 25 cm (10 in) off the ground and below liftgate level. This detection distance may be less during warmer or humid weather.

Warning

The Park Assist system does not detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals, or objects located below the bumper or that are too close or too far from the vehicle. It is not available at speeds greater than 8 km/h (5 mph). To prevent injury, death, or vehicle damage, even with Park Assist, always check the area around the vehicle and check all mirrors before moving forward or backing.

How the System Works

When the vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse) the front and rear sensors are automatically turned on. After the vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse), the rear sensors are turned off and the front sensors stay on until the vehicle is above a speed of 8 km/h (5 mph). For the front Park Assist system to be active again without shifting into R (Reverse), must be pressed. See “Turning the System On and Off” later in this section.

When the vehicle is in N (Neutral), the system may be active. If the vehicle is in a car wash, the sensors may detect objects in the car wash. See “Turning the System On and Off” later in this section to turn the system off.

When an object is first detected in the rear, one beep will be heard from the rear. When an object is very close (<0.6 m (2 ft) in the vehicle rear or <0.3 m (1 ft) in the vehicle front), five beeps will sound from the front or rear depending on object location. Beeps for FPA are higher pitched than for RPA.

Objects Detected by Both the Front and Rear Sensors

In general, if objects are detected at the same time near both the front and rear bumpers while backing up, the beeps only sound to indicate that objects are close to the rear bumper.

However, if an object comes within 0.3 m (1 ft) of the front bumper while the vehicle is backing up and at the same time there is another object further than 0.3 m (1 ft) from the rear bumper, then higher-pitched beeps only sound to indicate the front object.

Turning the System On and Off

The FRPA system can be turned on and off by pressing on the center stack.

The indicator light in the button comes on when the system is turned on.

When the system is off, the indicator light in the button is off or PARK ASSIST OFF briefly displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC).

FRPA defaults to the on setting each time the vehicle is started.

When the System Does Not Seem to Work Properly

If the FRPA system does not activate due to a temporary condition, a message may display on the DIC. This can occur under the following conditions:

• The driver has disabled the system.
• The sensors are not clean. Keep the vehicle's bumpers free of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush. For cleaning instructions, see Exterior Care.
• The Park Assist sensors are covered by frost or ice. Frost or ice can form around and behind the sensors and may not always be seen; this can occur after washing the vehicle in cold weather. The message may not clear until the frost or ice has melted.
• An object was hanging out of the liftgate during the last drive cycle. Once the object is removed, FRPA will return to normal operation.
• An object or cover is attached to the front of the vehicle.
• The bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle to your dealer to repair the system.
• Other conditions, such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the compression of air brakes on a very large truck, are affecting system performance.