So the system is there, but it never occurs to me to try it when the opportunity arises.

 

I tried it on a VW a few years ago and found it to be a joke: a) it took an eternity (very embarrassing) and b ) it wanted a space so large I could have parked in it blind-folded.

 

My question therefore is: has it improved in either or both of those respects, or would it still annoy me just as much?

 

Of course parking is where automatic transmissions really fall down versus manual anyway .... it takes so loooong to switch between forward and reverse.

Of course parking is where automatic transmissions really fall down versus manual anyway .... it takes so loooong to switch between forward and reverse.

Why? From Drive just move selector forward two notches to select Reverse. I can select reverse faster on my Octavia DSG then on my wife's manual Clio.

Parallel parking - tried once and liked it;

Traverse parking (reverse into bay) - tried a few times with mixed results;

Traverse parking (forward into bay) - tried once, selected bay was too narrow, test aborted (there was another vehicle behind me and I didn't want to abuse their patience).

More testing needed before I reach a verdict

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I tried parallel park and it was miles away from the curb. Not bothered using it again - I can do a much better job myself. Plus with all the sensors, reversing camera and auto-dipping mirror makes manual parking a doddle.

With parallel parking I find it spot on and will go into a gap smaller than I would have thought possible.

 

As for bay parking... never tried it, if the bay is that tight that I need help then I for one will not be parking there anyway as I like my car to be dent free (from other peoples doors)

Can't remember the last time I needed to parallel park!?

 

IMO it's a bit of a gimmick but I can see why some people would want it.

Can't remember the last time I needed to parallel park!?

IMO it's a bit of a gimmick but I can see why some women would want it.

Fixed that for you [emoji6]

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You do get more sensors with park assist (the wing mirror ones at least) so it should help even when manual parking. Thinking of specing the reversing cam too.

Edited 4 February, 201610 yr by Zillio

Like Gizmo, I use it on rare occasions for parallel but not bay. It gets me into the tightest of spaces where I'd never consider doing it myself. At least the S3 can also get you back out of them now, something I would have liked on at least one prior occasion in my old S2.

You also need to bear in mind the position of the two vehicles you're parking between as it aligns the parking with them. If either of them are mounted on the kerb, it will most likely try to steer you against the kerb (or at least that was the case in the S2).

You do get more sensors with park assist (the wing mirror ones at least) so it should help even when manual parking. Thinking of specing the reversing cam too.

Yes you get an extra sensor on each wheel arch (non on the mirrors)

It may get you in a small space when it parallel parks, but then the car in front/behind will probably knock you, as the space between you and them will be too small. I park where I leave enough room for both car in front and behind will get out. Driving for 30 years without it, so will never use it.

I've only tried park assist once out of curiosity. Tried to parallel park but it refused saying the road was too narrow for the front to swing or something. I just reversed into the space myself.

 

So for me so far pointless.

I tried it once on a Tiguan, to show the owner how it worked. Started going backwards and it turned into the space. Then never straightened out and I had to stop. I think it was trying to park between the car I was next to and one on the other side of a mesh fence that we were trying to park along. As far as I know, the owner never tried it again.

The reversing camera I have on my Subaru, however is actually useful.

Edited 4 February, 201610 yr by Huskoda

Had it on my last car and once I got used to it I found it really useful, I don't have it on my current car but wish I did. A bit like auto lights, auto wipers, auto gearbox, front assist etc you don't really need any of them as you can do it all yourself but it does make your life that little bit easier.

Also depends where you live, London and city parking can be a nightmare and if often got me into spaces I'd never have tried to get into myself, luckily where I live down the south west there's usually no problem finding easy parking, but I do miss it.

Can imagine its one of those things that once youve used a few times for giggles/bragging rights that it doesnt get used much.

Probably useful for the 360 degree sensing it offers though.

For me rear sensors are mandatory, front and rears nice to have (I would probably option fronts now to be fair now I have them on my company Mk7 Golf)...thats about it

I must admit, I havent used park assist once since I got my octy in april.

But the front sensors are brilliant, I habe a shirt garage so need to get feint really close to the wall.

Rear sensor are nice, but the reversing cam makes them not really needed.

But the side sensors can be really annoying when creeping along dirt roads or in slow traffic, they react to everything '

I have not used it either

 

Mainly ordered it for 4 additional side sensors (front 4 and back 4 standard in a style model) as those ARE useful to me

I tried it for the first time just now... It's night and it's raining (typical)

But wow... It really does work! Parallel parking was done in two moves (reverse then straighten) and bay parking took 2 to 4 moves. I was very impressed as was SWMBO. And then getting out of a parallel parking is nice and quick too.

I just might try using this more often.

Haven't used it yet but the rear scan when pulling back out of a space is great. Picked up an oncoming car as I backed out gave me plenty of warning. Not all of it is necessary but some of it is excellent.

Well, thanks all for the feedback. So it seems these systems have improved substantially in recent years and now actually do something useful – good point above about poor light conditions.

 

Now I just have to remember to try it sometime...