How far are the guidelines on a backup camera?

September 15th, 2020 by

How to Use Your Vehicle’s Backup Cam the Right Way

The back up camera is a standard feature on almost every single vehicle nowadays, Volkswagen models included. However, it’s not exactly clear how to use them. Sure, it shows you what’s behind you. But why does the distance seem skewed? Why does things get so close so quickly on the display?

A lot of these questions can be answered by knowing how far the guidelines on a backup camera are. So let’s take a look.

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How Far Away are the Guidelines?

Most backup cameras in the US use a three-guideline system that is sectioned off into a green, yellow, and red portions. The top line/bracket of each of these segments indicates a different distance from the rear of your vehicle. These distances will vary between brands, vehicles, and type of camera, but generally fall into the following ranges:

  • Green (far)– 6-7 ft
  • Yellow (mid)– 3-4 ft
  • Red (close)– 1-1½ ft

While the guidelines may look like they are an equal distance apart, they aren’t. This is because of the type of camera lens used, the angle of installation, and the perspective.

How to Use a Backup Camera

First of all, don’t only use the backup camera. Use it as a supplement to your mirrors, as you need to be aware of what’s going on around you. You may have noticed that the guidelines follow the same color scheme as a traffic light. That’s not an accident. When the horizontal line/bracket is “touching” something while the back-up camera is active, you are that distance away from it. So, if you’re backing up into a parking space, you can line up each guideline with the curb. When the curb is level with the green guideline, you’ve got plenty of space; when it hits yellow, you’re getting closer and should slow down; when the curb hits the red line, you should stop. That’s it. Pretty straightforward, right?

Backup Camera Not Working?

Is your vehicle’s backup camera not working? Give Capistrano Volkswagen a call or schedule a service appointment. Our certified technicians have the expertise, specialized tools, and OEM parts to get your ride back on the road ASAP.