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Definition: self-parking car


A feature of many automobiles that parallel parks automatically by using sensors that detect the curb and surrounding parked cars. Drivers are able to park in a much tighter space than they would otherwise attempt and without any damage to their vehicle or others.

The self-parking operation is similar but not identical in different vehicles. Drivers may be instructed to do more in one car than another; however, they are typically in control of the backup speed by applying pressure or releasing the brake pedal. In all cases, the steering wheel is controlled by the self-parking system.

Remote Control Forward Parking
Some luxury cars such as BMW and Mercedes can move forward or backward into tight parking spots with the driver standing outside the car and holding the button down on the key fob. Although this feature would be helpful when parking in a narrow garage at home, it is also touted as useful in open air parking lots. However, why anyone would want to squeeze their car into a spot so tight that car-door dings are inevitable seems puzzling. See automotive safety systems and BMW Remote Valet.