I had the sensors fitted to my new SX6 and have found they only give a warning when I am about 30 cm from an object - is this normal or should they have a greater range??

I think they should have a greater range. Ours were fitted when the car was bought new in 2008 (pre-facelift). The "beeps" start at around 1 metre and increase in frequency as the object gets nearer. At 30cm, it should become a constant beep to signify that you are about to hit something, considering the spare wheel protrude outward a fair bit on the RAV. Ours are genuine Toyota accessory. I know some dealer fits aftermarket ones (some of them a little fancier with distance readout LED screens inside etc).

I think they should have a greater range. Ours were fitted when the car was bought new in 2008 (pre-facelift). The "beeps" start at around 1 metre and increase in frequency as the object gets nearer. At 30cm, it should become a constant beep to signify that you are about to hit something, considering the spare wheel protrude outward a fair bit on the RAV. Ours are genuine Toyota accessory. I know some dealer fits aftermarket ones (some of them a little fancier with distance readout LED screens inside etc).
[/quote]


The sensors were fitted prior to delivery of the new vehicle last week so I assume they are genuine. I will speak to them when I get the first service. I reversed up to my garage door and the first beep was at about 30 cm then it became constant within a very short distance. As stated with the spare wheel and tow bar this does not leave much room for error.

Thanks for your quick reply

Thats normal for the sensors...

I install genuine sensors to the new RAV's and find at a constant beep I've got a few inches between the wall and the spare wheel carrier...

Have a strange but similar problem to yours, - checked it with the toyota service centre when I dropped in for service. The sensors in the car, are always beeping,,,- regardless whether there was anything behind or not,,,but thankfully when reversing, and approaching an object, the beeping increases. Still a pain that they beep always. The guys at the service centre tell me it could be either a sensitivity setting for them, or that simply the sensors are pointing to the road, and not horizontal (at a 90degree angle to it), so as to detect the vehicle behind. See attached photo. Service centre tells me there could be a piece of plastic (fitting) to add to the sensor to adjust them, pointing straight horizontal...

They stated that my reversing sensors were working to specification. I was not impressed and stated that had I been advised that they were so pathetic I would have purchased the reversing camera. So in my opinion the reversing sensors for the RAV are not worth having. Whilst they will tell you something is approaching, in my case it is not until it is within 30 - 40 cm of the spare wheel or tow bar and it goes from intermitent beep to continuous within 4 cm. This is not sufficient warning in my opinion.

If the object is directly in front of the tow bar it may not even pick it up. I see no value in the current parking sensor and as stated I believe the reversing camera would be better value.

The reverse sensors aren't an assurance against hitting objects, they're only a guide...

But if you're reversing against a flat wall, you will never have any problems if the sensors are working correctly...

A 4cm gap from the wall at a constant beep is ok to me, unless you're reversing at speed you won't have any problems...

The other thing to note here is that the updated rav's only use a 2 head reverse system as opposed to the 4 head on the pre-update models

On purchasing the sensors I was advised they were a four head sensor system. After taking delivery and advising the dealer that the system was not effective I was then advised that they could only fit two sensors because I had a tow bar.

When I tested the sensors I reversed against a wall. The first indication I got that there was an obstruction was approx 40cm from the wall when I got a single beep - then on moving a further 4cm I got a continuous beep.

Whilst I know they are only a guide - I would have thought that you would get more distance when the warning was sounded. I should have been advised that they would only be fitting two sensors of the four (as they knew this prior to my ordering the sensors for my vehicle).

Having regard for the driving skills of the other person who will be driving this vehicle - the more warning the better