If you go into a car park, you walk directly into the scene of a disaster. Road users are simply not capable of parking between the two straight lines. The question is: Why is it so difficult to park a car? Well, if the space isn’t big enough, parking becomes a challenge. Parallel parking, in particular, poses challenges because we, as humans, aren’t used to going backwards, so reversing is quite demanding. Things can get out of hand quickly and your vehicle can end up with minor bumps. Fortunately, these days we have parking assist technology. Automated parking aid helps park with greater precision, which enhances the comfort and safety of driving. Since 2012, automatic parking systems have started to be developed by several automobile manufacturers, including Ford.

Ford’s Active Park Assist takes the anxiety out of everyday parking. It locates a suitable parking space and takes on the responsibility of steering the car into that place. Basically, you don’t have to go out of your way to park properly. All you have to do is to follow the instructions as the system guides you through shifting, accelerating, and breaking. You’d be tempted to think that it functions just like a traditional automatic parking system. The truth is that Ford technology has more functions. For instance, it assists you with escaping from tight parking spots. It can even provide assistance in the case of reverse perpendicular parking situations. Active Park Assist is available in several 2024 Ford models, such as the 2024 Ford Explorer.

Let’s see how you can use the Ford Active Park Assist

If you have a Ford vehicle that’s equipped with parking assistance technology, you’re lucky because you can spare yourself headaches. The technology works charmingly and it’s surprisingly easy to manipulate. Owning a car shouldn’t be a nightmare. If you take on the expense of renting a monthly parking spot, you don’t have to leave your car in the street, with the rest of the bikers and other vehicles. In a big city such as Dallas, finding parking is difficult, if not impossible. When you get tired of playing the side alternate parking game, look into monthly parking in Dallas. Get a map with all the garages and find the perfect spot without breaking the bank.

Returning to the issue, using parking assist technology isn’t brain surgery. So, just keep calm and use it. Perhaps you could use a couple of pointers. Well, keep these tips in mind.

Secure a parking spot

Fitting a vehicle into a parallel parking spot is tough because there are so many things to take into account, such as the car’s direction, the available space, and executing a handful of turns so as not to knock other cars. As mentioned earlier, finding a place to leave your car isn’t exactly easy. To simplify the process, web-based marketplaces connect those in need of parking spaces with those who have spots for rent. You can browse listings that include pricing and photos. So, find a place where you can confidently park and drive your Ford car as you normally would. Keep in mind that the Active Park Assist only works with parallel parking.

Locate the Auto |P| button

The Auto |P| button is located right on the center column of the dashboard. To activate the automatic parking system, you must press the button. What else?

Activate the turn signal

Turn the signal into the direction where you’d like the vehicle to search. Activate the left or the right turn signal. If you don’t deploy the turn signal lever, the system will look for a parking space on the passenger side of the vehicle. Active Park Assist scans for available parking spots in the near vicinity of the car. When it’s over, you’ll hear a distinct tone and a Spot Found message will pop up on the screen.

Follow the screen instructions

Follow the directions displayed on the screen. The system will tell you when it’s time to accelerate, shift, or break. You can pause the automatic parking system at any time, just so you know. If you open the passenger or rear doors, the system will immediately stop.

Shift the car into reverse & stop

Put your foot on the brake, shift the car into reverse, and take your hands off the steering wheel. When you hear the sensors beeping, stop the car. Shift the car again into Drive mode and drive forward until you hear the sensors beeping. Repeat the process of backing up and pulling forward until the system notifies you that it’s done. To deactivate the Active Park Assist, you just have to press the button.

This might sound complicated, but it really isn’t. After a few times, you’ll get the hang of it. It’s important to practice. Thanks to Ford’s ingeniousness, you don’t have to ever look at a parking spot with dread. Attention needs to be paid to the fact that the system is meant to help you, but driving with due care and attention is your responsibility. If you don’t exert caution, you could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in injury and even death.

Some of the perks of smart parking technology like Active Park Assist

We all know how frustrating it can be to pull into a parking spot. You see a sign in front of you that reads Private Parking and you do your best to get the car in. Sometimes you’re successful, sometimes you’re not. Active Park Assist makes tedious tasks such as parallel parking in a not-so-dreamy garage or a space that’s too narrow child’s play. It’s an advanced system, which means that it handles everything from finding an open space to performing the steering. The mixture of innovation and system expertise allows the Ford car to be more reliable and less demanding to operate. The automobile manufacturer continues to push the boundaries and enhances every step of the driver’s journey. As for the Active Park Assist feature, don’t use it on an exam. It’s not in your best interest.