What do the Wheel Arch Sensors do? - 24 XLT FX4

[Sauce]

My 24 XLT FX4 has outward facing sensors on the front of the front wheel arches. TBH Im not sure exactly what packages I have and I know I must have some package because not all of them have these sensors. Ive seen conflicting reports as to what these sensors actually do. Are they only active when I turn on park assist (which Ive never used), or do they come on automatically at slow speed? Do they have anything to do with lane keep assist?

Im going to do an experiment and tape a piece of plastic over them to see what that does, but maybe someone can help me better understand exactly how they function and when.

Im asking because I plan to install fender flares and potentially relocate the sensors to the new flares (PIA). If these sensors are not used for anything useful to me, I might not bother.

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[CaptAngry]

I believe those are only for park assist, as the 25+ does not have that feature, or those sensors. BUT that doesn't mean they aren't active all the time. If you cover them up or paint over them though, the computer will probably get mad. Not sure if they can be disabled in FORScan or by other means

 

[chasc]

You must have a bigger garage than me . They have the same purpose as the parking sensors on the front and back bumper but they add coverage of the sides of the vehicle. If you pull into a very narrow spot you’ll see the orange or red bars appear on the screen along the sides of the vehicle similar to what you see when getting close to obstacles in front or behind you.

It’s a good bet they also get used for the parking automation feature if your vehicle has that (they started removing it from later ones). Those are just the uses I know of.

 

[el_sabio]

It’s a good bet they also get used for the parking automation feature

I’m pretty sure that’s their use as 24 seems to be the only model year with sensors on the front fenders.
I’ve used that feature only a few times, faster to just park. I get why they discontinued.

 

[Sauce]

I’m pretty sure that’s their use as 24 send to be the only model year.
I’ve used that feature only a few times, faster to just park. I get why they discontinued.

If thats all they are for, then I have no problem just getting covering them up since Ive never used the feature. That said, im afraid @chasc might be right and they may be proximity sensors that activate outside of that feature in which case I will have to relocate them. Before I do anything I'll experiment with temporarily covering them and report back here.

 

[chasc]

I can’t predict what will happen if they’re unplugged or continuously covered but I do know that in my narrow garage before I’m finished parking it throws an error about sensor being blocked and shuts off the whole system: Front and rear sensors plus cameras.

 

[Jason B]

I don't have those on my 24 XLT High FX4.
Perhaps you have the Tech package (I don't).

 

[Sauce]

I don't have those on my 24 XLT High FX4.
Perhaps you have the Tech package (I don't).

As far as I know, mine is 24 XLT with FX4, Technology Package and Advanced Towing.

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