What Does A Park Assist Camera Do?
In 2018, the US federal government mandated that all new cars come equipped with a park assist camera, also known as a backup camera. While your car’s rear view mirrors do a pretty good job showing what’s behind you, there are always blind spots. This is especially true for larger vehicles like SUVs, minivans, and pickups.
A parking assist camera helps you see those areas around your car that mirrors can’t reach. Not only are backup cameras a great safety feature, but they're also super convenient.
How Does a Park Assist Camera Work?
On most vehicles that come equipped with a backup camera, the camera turns on when you put the transmission into reverse. Park assist cameras are usually mounted outside near the license plate or above the rear window. A park assist camera displays a wide-angle view of the area behind your car. A small screen in your rear view mirror or dashboard shows the video in real time.
Some makes and models even have a handy scale projected onto the image to help you gauge how far you might be from an object or a person. When you shift into a forward gear, the camera turns off.
What Are the Benefits of a Park Assist Camera?
Of course, safety is the number one benefit of a park assist camera. Pets, small children, and other obstacles can hide out of view behind your car, even if you’re straining your neck out the window to get a better look. Backup cameras are inexpensive and easy to use. They're an extra layer of defense against accidents.
Backup cameras make sliding into narrow or difficult parking spots a snap. When you’re ready to back out of that spot, you get a better view of your fellow drivers cruising the parking lot. If you tow regularly, they can also aid in hitching up your trailer or camper. Some parking assist cameras can even be turned on when the car is not in reverse so you can keep an eye on traffic on the highway.
How Do I Install a Park Assist Camera?
Image Credit: RSkelton
If you don’t already have one, there are many options for adding a backup camera to your vehicle. Most car stereo or automotive electrical shops can install a park assist camera in less than a day. They make a great addition to an upgraded entertainment system. They can even complement brighter LED reverse or park lights for increased visibility.
Sometimes an OEM backup camera stops working or becomes scratched and cloudy. They're pretty easy to replace. All you need to do is look up your make and model in our catalog of genuine OEM park assist cameras to find the exact camera you need for your vehicle.
We're an authorized online retailer of genuine OEM parts for a variety of makes and models. There are many great reasons to order your OEM parts from us. The biggest one is the fact that we offer wholesale prices, so you'll be saving quite some money by ordering from us.
If you need an OEM part and if you need help finding the right part number, please contact us. We're always happy to help!