Front Parking Sensors on ST

[volts]

ST owners, Apologies for the short post.

Are front sensors available as a factory fit or can they be added later. Can't find them on the for configurator. Seems a strange omission on a high end vehicle

 

[alexp999]

Not available from factory. No idea about fitting after would spoil the look IMO.

I like having them on the back although the rear cam makes them largely redundant, but rarely miss them on the front, having had them on my last 2 foci.

[iantt]

Xvision parking systems that dealers use dont even recomend front sensors on an st for some reason.

[SteveGSXR600K1]

I've got front and rear parking sensors on my Mk3 2011 Titanium, but they were part of the Active Park Assist option. If this option is available, it's probably a lot more expensive than seeing if you can go down the Xvision root. I've had the Focus 15 months now, and still haven't tried out the Active Park Assist. The latest version is much better as it can park perpendicular as well as parallel.

[alexp999]

ST has no option for front parking sensors from the factory. Ford do not produce a grille and bumper with the holes for them.

[tazzman600]

Seems very strange to me why Ford went down that route regarding omitting front park sensors on their sports model that is ST. Wasn't the Mondeo titanium x sport the flagship sports model? Oh it had front sensors.

Other car manufacturers have front park sensors on their sports version models.

To me it's penny pinching why they're not fitted. To say they'd spoil the look is silly.

Nowadays with the level of traffic out there and tight city parking I'd have thought front parking sensors were a necessity.

I know for sure I'd retro fit them if I decided to buy a ST coz I'd bet the front bumper/grill is effing expensive compared to that of a titanium or zetec model.

And to anyone who says people can't drive if the want front sensors. Grow up.

[alexp999]

I would imagine the real reason is that there is just not enough demand for front parking sensors on the ST, to justify having another SKU, mold, etc for the front bumper and grille.

There could also be another valid reason if the aftermarket kits are not recommended for use on the ST. There isnt a great deal of bumper to mount them to at the front due to the big grille.

Ford currently don't do a Mondeo ST in Europe. If you want sporty Focus with all round parking sensors then there is the Zetec S.

I didn't use to find my front parking sensors that useful anyway. I knew the front of my car within 30cm, it was closer than that when I needed them and the sensors just flat line at that distance.

[tazzman600]

What a load of tosh Alex. I've seen plenty of cars with big grills and sensors in those grills. My titanium x sport mondeo had then in the grill. Demand for them on ST's? Can't comment.

On a different Ford forum more mondeo based it was and is general consensus that the Mondeo titanium x sport was indeed a renamed ST.

If an aftermarket company states their kit isn't recommended for the ST then I'd steer well clear of such a 2 bit company.

I drive an underpowered 1.6 diesel titanium x focus fully loaded. Soon won't be underpowered hee hee.

At the end of the day it's the customers choice But the choice should be there.

Have a good evening.

[alexp999]

Wow over reaction much, lol.

Just giving my thoughts on why it might not be an option. You can always buy a kit and fit it yourself if you are so inclined.

The fact still stands, Ford don't offer it with front sensors from the factory, whatever their reasons.

[razer1137]

I am going attempt to install the parking sensors in the front. I will put the first two sensors in the front grille and then the other two above the vrease of the bumper(they will be quite high) and I hope it wont spoil the look too much but also that it will work. 

[Stoney871]

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[razer1137]

Im having a hard time finding a mechanic who can actually drill the specific ford focus parking holes. No one seems to have that cutout shape. Ive also been told by one machanic that the ford focus st bumper is too thin and it will split if you try to drill parking sensor holes. 

[JW1982]

Parking sensor holes in the bumpers are usually not drilled. These holes are made with a specifically designed punch that is very similar to a punch that is used for making holes in sheet metal.

 

Specifically designed punch kits are available for all types of Ford parking sensors.

These punch kits however are really expensive (the kit above will cost approximately €2000,-). 

You should either find yourself a specialist that has the correct punch for your cars parking sensors or make the holes (which are not round) by drilling, filing and sanding until the hole has the correct shape and size.

 

 

[Bannko]

My friend retrofired ST front bumper to his regular mk3 plf with 6 front sensors and just drilled the holes himself. No special punch tools really needed for this operation, just playing around and a little bit of patience.

 

[Nathan Buffery]

I did both my front and back by drilling first with a hole saw and then carefully creating the shape with a sharp Stanley knife. The shape and location for the sensors are already embossed into the underside of the bumpers.

[razer1137]

I went to nearly 20 places that specialise in ford and verious other accident repair shops. All of them said this was impossible and there is not room on the bumper. One also claimed that the bumper would split if holes were drilled. I then took it to a specialist repair shop who also does damage repair ford west mids police (theyre called RS Motors). They quickly told me that this was no problem and that they do this all the time. It took them around 1 hour and theyve done a excellent job and also covereed it under warrenty. Finally my automatic parking system works with my st bumper.