Object Detection Alarm System Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Buick Lucerne. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The object detection system senses how close the vehicle is to an object. The distance is determined by the 4 ultrasonic sensors located in the rear bumper. When the system detects an object while the vehicle is in reverse, one of the following will occur:

If the object is less than 0.3 m (12 in) away from the vehicle, the amber outside, amber middle and the red outside indicators flash and the chime sounds continuously for 5 seconds.
If the object is less than 0.3-0.6 m (12-24 in) away from the vehicle, the amber outside, amber middle and the red outside are ON.
If the object is 0.6-1.0 m (24-40 in) away from the vehicle, the amber outside and the amber middle indicators are ON.
If the object is 1.0-2.5 m (40-98 in) away from the vehicle, the amber outside indicator is ON with a single chime and this is the first detection of an object.

The object detection system can detect objects 7.6 cm (3 in) wide and at least 25.4 cm (10 in) tall. It cannot detect objects above the level of the roof.

If the object detection system detects a malfunction, the object detection system sends a serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to display SERVICE PARK ASSIST on the driver information center (DIC). The chime will sound and the red indicator on the information center telltale assembly illuminates continuously, notifying the driver that a malfunction exist.