What do people thick of "Active Park Assist?"

Mad_Pom · 21-09-2011, 03:36 PM

Been trying to choose which model to buy.
What do people think of "active park assist"?
Is it a reason to buy?
Are there any problems?

Stanko · 21-09-2011, 03:50 PM

I think it's just an expensive option, it's really not that hard to do a reverse park and from what I can say that was a part of getting my license.

Unless you live in the city and reverse parking is annoying for you I don't see a reason to get it.

The more advanced something is, the more that can go wrong with it.

qdda5 · 21-09-2011, 03:59 PM

I wouldnt mind park assist at all. If I new I could let go of the wheel and the car would do the rest is fine by me. Thats old age for you. Wonder who wears the liability if the park assist isnt correct and it hits the other car?? I understand the more the car can do the more that can go wrong with it. but in my years of owning cars I dont hang onto them more than when the warranty runs out anyway.

DeKa · 21-09-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qdda5

I wouldnt mind park assist at all. If I new I could let go of the wheel and the car would do the rest is fine by me. Thats old age for you. Wonder who wears the liability if the park assist isnt correct and it hits the other car?? I understand the more the car can do the more that can go wrong with it. but in my years of owning cars I dont hang onto them more than when the warranty runs out anyway.

You do. You're still operating the throttle and brake. It's your responsibility as the driver to stop before hitting the car in front/behind.

ConradP · 21-09-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qdda5

I wouldnt mind park assist at all. If I new I could let go of the wheel and the car would do the rest is fine by me. Thats old age for you. Wonder who wears the liability if the park assist isnt correct and it hits the other car?? I understand the more the car can do the more that can go wrong with it. but in my years of owning cars I dont hang onto them more than when the warranty runs out anyway.

As DeKa said, also it's Active park "assist" not an automated system, so you're still "in control" and I really don't see a reason why you would hit someone seeing as you control how fast you're going by holding your foot on the break.

qdda5 · 21-09-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConradP

As DeKa said, also it's Active park "assist" not an automated system, so you're still "in control" and I really don't see a reason why you would hit someone seeing as you control how fast you're going by holding your foot on the break.

Wasnt sure how it all worked but thanks for the heads up.

Joe5619 · 21-09-2011, 03:53 PM

I guess the question needs to be asked.. Can you reverse park?? If the answer is NO, then active park is good, if it's YES, then active park is useless..

ptwhite2003 · 21-09-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I guess the question needs to be asked.. Can you reverse park?? If the answer is NO, then active park is good, if it's YES, then active park is useless..

The question that needs to be asked is: Can you reverse park? If the answer is NO, then what the heck are you doing with a licence??

That's assuming you have one, of course.

ptwhite2003 · 21-09-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptwhite2003

The question that needs to be asked is: Can you reverse park? If the answer is NO, then what the heck are you doing with a licence??

That's assuming you have one, of course.

I just realised, Joe5619, that my comment sounds as if I am questioning your personal driving skills. I apologise. I was thinking in general terms.

**Polyal** · 21-09-2011, 03:57 PM

Hmm I can see how its useful for some, but as a whole I dont agree with it. If you can get the park then keep on driving.

MexicanBatman · 21-09-2011, 05:44 PM

I personally wouldn't use it, but it is handy for times in total darkness into tight spots where there are no visual clues and you can see nothing out the rear and side of the car, I tested a new golf in complete darkness into a small space that I'd have not bothered with, but I was testing the parking assist system and it worked perfectly... Now for those who can't park it's got to be a big help there, and sure I'm all for people actually learning how to drive, but in this day and age that will never happen, just like the amount of young people at work who can not drive manual etc...

pottery beige · 21-09-2011, 05:56 PM

any clown that cant reverse park a car.. should be baby seal style clubbed on the back of the head.. donk....

Franco Cozzo · 21-09-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

any clown that cant reverse park a car.. should be baby seal style clubbed on the back of the head.. donk....

I lol'd, so random.

I struggle to reverse park a car, why reverse it in when you can drive through one?

pottery beige · 21-09-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I lol'd, so random.

I struggle to reverse park a car, why reverse it in when you can drive through one?

donk... donk..... one for goodluck......

Aussie XB12SS · 21-09-2011, 06:45 PM

Got it but haven't used it yet.
By the time it takes to pull up to the car prior to the available spot, switch on park assist, drive past the empty bay &alongsidee the next car so a measurement can be taken, I will be already parked the old fashioned way.

I do see plenty of people though who need as much assistance as possible trying to park.

Russ · 21-09-2011, 07:20 PM

IMHO people who can't reverse park a car should send their licence back to Kellogg's and ask for a refund

dannyhilton · 22-09-2011, 07:31 PM

It's not fool proof either. If the car can't register the curb, that is, the curb isn't high enough, it'll direct the cars rim right into it. Yeah. That's test driving on the edge...

marg99 · 22-09-2011, 08:35 PM

What is really useful is the Mercedes and Subarau safety feature on cruise control where it slows you down if you get too close to the car in front. That is it maintains a safe distance behind without you needing to brake and thus stop using cruise.

a-total-tool · 22-09-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marg99

What is really useful is the Mercedes and Subarau safety feature on cruise control where it slows you down if you get too close to the car in front. That is it maintains a safe distance behind without you needing to brake and thus stop using cruise.

Random post that has nothing to do with the topic at hand. The titanium comes with this feature when optioned up with the sports executive pack. Ford calls it 'Adaptive Cruise Control'

As for the park assist. I have test driven a titanium, I have tried the feature. I feel that I am putting a lot of trust into the car for in order to use the feature. but it is always good to know that the feature can easily be over-ridden. These sorts of features will become more common place. The design/safety aspects of a lot of new cars are that they have high window lines and low seats. The by product of this is that you can see bugger all out the back (especially when you are a shortass like me). These cars really benefit from sensors and cameras but I don't think that the self parking is necessary.

ConradP · 22-09-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marg99

What is really useful is the Mercedes and Subarau safety feature on cruise control where it slows you down if you get too close to the car in front. That is it maintains a safe distance behind without you needing to brake and thus stop using cruise.

The new Titanium's do this as well, also the steering wheel vibrates if you veer out of your lane while going at 60 or higher.

vztrt · 22-09-2011, 08:48 PM

Personally don't like it. Like others have said if you can't reverse park hand your licence back in.

SpoolMan · 22-09-2011, 09:08 PM

We looked at the new Focus last weekend, I have no doubt that my wife will be purchasing one inside the next 3 months, lovely car and really have moved up a class from prevoius models in specs, options and finish.
How much does Active Park Assist cost as an option and is it standard on any of the models?

In Focus · 22-09-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

We looked at the new Focus last weekend, I have no doubt that my wife will be purchasing one inside the next 3 months, lovely car and really have moved up a class from prevoius models in specs, options and finish.
How much does Active Park Assist cost as an option and is it standard on any of the models?

It's standard on the Titanium, but I don't think it's an option on the "lesser" models.

blatchie · 22-09-2011, 09:39 PM

Park assist is only on the Titanium model .Titanium is only Auto sorry Powershift.as well as bum warming seats

SpoolMan · 22-09-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blatchie

.Titanium is only Auto sorry Powershift.as well as bum warming seats

Auto is the only way she will drive..

leakey · 04-10-2011, 11:34 AM

Well, my take is that it's for those who cant reverse park confidently.

I reckon them ticking the option box will save MY CAR from a bump or scrape when these RP-challenged drivers try to get in a space between mine and another car.

Bloody expensive I hear. Mind you they said that about air-conditioning back in the day.... "why pay for that when you can just wind the window down!" Now it's pretty much standard equipment.

20focus05 · 12-10-2011, 07:04 PM

So on the add it says it virtually parks itself!

Therefore when you think you have parked, you haven't!! LOL

I did see, I think it was a volvo do it quite a few years ago.

Pete A · 12-10-2011, 10:26 PM

Might sound stupid, but we bought the Titanium for:
Leather
Better 18" wheels
Good sound system
parking sensors
Just looked nice.

Don't care about
Parking assist
Bum warmers in Sydney? -come on!

Probably haven't even found some of the gadgets yet.

Thought the missus was a dead certainty to buy the Golf. Wrong! She preferred the Focus. Just when you think you know them they go and do something you don't expect.

dannyhilton · 13-10-2011, 12:05 AM

Yup, same here, I went Titanium for the wheels, front parking sensors, leather seats and Key Free System. Otherwise I'd have got a Sport. If push came to shove, if the Sport had the Key Free system, I'd have ordered that. Park Assist is cool, but the demo car I drove proves it isn't fool proof! HEHE! It's cool, but not a sales clincher for me...

sysh · 13-10-2011, 01:28 PM

.. the Focus isn't an awfully big car, not sure why we need the "assistance". nice to have, but definitely not a necessity