I've installed an ultrasonic rear parking assist system on my HHR. It was pretty easy (the hardest part was resisting the urge to commit suicide while drilling holes in my month old car. I'll post information about the kit and install if anyone is interested.


^Wide shot of installed sensors


^Close up of a couple of sensors


^LED display on upper part of rear hatch area (upper left of photo)

BTW- I installed the system for three reasons: 1) I am legally blind in my right eye and it gives me a greater comfort level, 2) I have an 18 month old daughter (not to mention neighborhood kids) that I don't want to run over and 3) 91 children have been backed over and killed since 2003. It's a nice additional layer of prevention. I think they should be standard on all vehicles - they have saved me hundreds of dollars by warning me of objects that I couldn't see.

 

how much?

:)

 

How does this work? I have dark limo tint and wonder if that would help me? I just roll down my windows now!

TIA, Theresa

 

I bought it on ebay - cost about $70.00 total. The kit is nice and complete and appears well made. It is made by a company called Ackton. You can find them on ebay by searching 'Ackton'. I bought the P4000 with zero degree kit (for flat bumpers). I did buy paint so they would match - add $10 to the project.

 

You have an LED panel that mounts at the top of the rear hatch opening that displays distance and which sensor is picking up an obstacle. There is also a speaker that gives audible warnings (I mounted it on the cargo trim in the window near the d-pillar). It is very sensitive and takes a little getting used to. It is not as good as the OE sensors in my Buick Rendezvous but still very helpful.

I have 20% tint over the factory so it can be dicey at night for me too.

Here is a picture of the components:


The sensors are less than 1" in diameter and the display is only about 1" tall and 3" wide.

 

A lot of companies use the sensors on their fleet vehicles, sure saves the back bumper, I could use that on my s-10 when snow plowing.. lots of trees at my place. I have slightly BUMPED a couple....

 

Looks good... Now after looking at your install I see the best positions for mounting the sensors. I bought a set of these and they have been sitting in my garage now for about 2 months. I just haven't had time to get to the project, plus I still have to work up to the part about drilling holes in the bumper... And then I still have to get around to painting them too. It seems neverending......Great job....Regards

 

Thanks RUDEINC. I kind of guessed on the placement based on my other car and what please me aesthetically. The two center sensors were cake to fish the wires. The outside two were more painful. If I had mounted them about 1/2" higher I would have cleared the metal backing bar and avoided fishing wire up, over and down. Let me know when you decide to install and I'll see if I can get pics of where I mounted the module and anything else you'd like.

As for the holes in the bumper- I masked off the entire area measured, measured again, had a drink , measured again.

 

I will most definately take you up on that offer. Hopefully it will be soon. I know how nice it is to have those rear sensors. I've got them on my Excursion and I love them. That is the reason I picked up a set for the HHR . They are especially handy for reverse movements when you have 5% (limo)tint on all the windows.....Thanks....BTW when you painted yours, What paint did you end up using? Also did you apply a coat of clear for good measure?.......Thanks again.....Regards...Mark

 

I just used the touch-up paint that I bought at the dealership. I looked at the auto part stores but they all carried Duplicolor and they don't even show 67U/wa994l in their catalog. I didn't clear it because the manufacturer website said that I could "lightly paint" the sensors. I am going to keep an eye on them and see how they hold up but being here in FLA it probably won't be a problem - no salt or ice grinding on it :). If I was back in MI, I would be worried.