Does anyone know what this part is suppose to do?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-2013-LE...item53eb5b72cd

 

Looks to me like a parking pole. Its supposed to give the driver a visual to where the bumper is so when you are parking, you know how close you are to hitting something.

Its odd that a car would have this, you usually find this on large trucks (I know this because I work with them).

 

Is this an aftermarket add on or do our cars come with something like this already? I would think that the parking assist option that I have should be already sufficient. Just curious cause I've never seen this before.

 

I would have to say aftermarket or only offered in the JSPEC market. I've never seen any advertising for this in any commercial, brochure, website etc..

 

It's a parking guide which is available for JDM Lexus GS and other RHD markets. It works well for those countries with very tight parking spaces.

 

Parking assist is so much better, glad we have it.

 

Mercedes S class of the early '90s has 2 small poles that rose out of the upper rear fender, near the trunk, to give perspective of the corners of the car while backing up. This and the link posted are really for cars without sensors. Pretty much useless with park assist sensors.