Recent cars all come with an incredible quantity of technology, nevertheless, by reason of your budget or the year of your BMW X3, you may not be fortunate enough to have them all. On this page we’re going to help you correct this situation by detailing how to install parking sensor on my BMW X3? Indeed, this option is highly profitable, particularly if you live in the city and have to park regularly in narrow parking areas. To help you out, we’ll first take a look at how parking sensors function, then we’ll check out how to install a parking reverse sensor on a BMW X3, and to conclude, how much does a parking sensor cost?
How does parking sensors function on an BMW X3?
So we start with the functioning of a parking sensor. As we explained to you in the intro, this particularl interesting option allows you to know the distance between the back of your BMW X3 and an obstacle when you move back. It is as a consequence especially honest for persons who have to maneuver on a regular basis, whose visibility is bad, or whose car size is huge.
In many cases installed as standard, the reverse sensors of a BMW X3 integrate a kit of sensors (minimum 4) that will be activated with reverse gear and will identify obstacles in the vicinity. The technology employed is ultrasounds, which will send a signal that will bounce off the obstacle and be sent back to the sensor. A computer will analyze the duration of this journey and estimate the distance between the obstacle and the radar. Generally you will have a sound signal in the cabin which will rise in strength with the closeness of the obstacle and in some cases a visual indicator in complement. The reversing radars of a BMW X3 will enable you for parking, but as well for security and avoiding pedestrians.
How to install parking sensors on a BMW X3?
We now go forward to the section that you are almost certainly most focused on, fitting reverse parking sensors on a BMW X3. This section is for you if you don’t have a standard reserve sensor set up and you still want to take advantage of this technology, or if you have to replace a broken one. You are fortunate people, it is possible to buy aftermarket parking sensors to install yourself on your BMW X3.
How to change a defective backup sensors on a BMW X3
First we’ll see how to change a defective parking sensor on an BMW X3. In cases where your BMW X3 has suffered a rear shock and one of the sensors of your reversing radar has been destroyed, it will have to be swapped out to allow the system to function effectively. Thankfully for you this operation is extremely simple, you can even make it out yourself without any specified mechanical skill:
- Get a replacement unit radar of the manufacturer’s brand name.
- Unplug the old backup sensor from the back of the bumper.
- Remove the damaged parking sensor from your BMW X3, this part is extremely intuitive, it is only clipped on.
- Fit the new sensor and connect it.
- All you’ll have to do is test it to make sure it’s functioning effectively.
- You will only need to adhere to the installation guidance, but we summarize here the main procedures.
- Remove the bumper if you don’t have access to the inside of it.
- Reflect on the ideal location of the sensors to avoid blind spots, using the supplied drill bell, drill your bumper.
- Position your various sensors.
- Route the cables to the headlamp unit that contains your reverse light.
- Get the current from the wires to connect your parking sensors to this one.
- Try it out all out.
- Follow the installation manual which is accessible with some electrical knowledges.
- Determine the ideal sensor position, either behind the bumper for the electromagnetic reversing sensor(adhesive tape) and or the different spots of the ultrasonic sensors.
- Glue them together and connect them using the box provided.
- Give it a try all out.
How to install an aftermarket parking sensor kit on an BMW X3
Now we move on to the section you’re likely most focused on, how to install a reverse sensor set up on a BMW X3 that doesn’t have one? As we explained above, you’re lucky because many of OEMs now sell aftermarket backup radar models. However, the best performing and least fragile models will be models that fit into your bumper. We will look at these versions in this part. It is required to have some notions in electricity, and some notions in do-it-yourself to contemplate the installation of the kit. You will surely have to remove the bumper of your BMW X3 for the set up, do not hesitate to browse our content on this subject matter to discover the procedure to follow. If you don’t feel like it, you can call a professional, the task should take him between 1 and 2 hours, and for you around 3 hours.
Install a parking sensor without drilling on a BMW X3
And to conclude, we will now present you the installation of a drill-free parking sensors system on a BMW X3. There are two options, the ultrasounds more weak because exposed to the shocks, and the electromagnetics which stick at the rear of the bumper and which are thus protected, it does not affect your bumper and will thus be easy to take out. This kind of radar sticks on the bumper. The set up of these types of sensors will be similar.
What’s the price of parking sensors for a BMW X3?
Price of swapping a defective reversing parking sensor for an BMW X3
The replacement of a destroyed reversing radar will rely upon the model, but the price will range between 10 and 30 euros per sensor. It is required to count about one hundred euros for the installation of the kit by a professional.
Price of an ultrasonic parking sensors with drilling for BMW X3
For the models with holes there are many kits and different brands but you will have to count around 50 euros for a high quality system.
Price of a parking sensors kit without drilling for a BMW X3
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To conclude, for the price of a reversing radar without drilling for your BMW X3, whatever type you choose, you will have to pay between 30 and 60 euros.
If you want more guides on the BMW X3, go to our BMW X3 category.
