Get Driving -> BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)^∗

Summary of the Blind Spot Monitor

The Blind Spot Monitor is a system that has 2 functions;

● The Blind Spot Monitor function

Assists the driver in making the decision when changing lanes

● The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function

Assists the driver when backing up

These functions use same sensors.

4

BSM main switch

1

Pressing the switch turns the system on or off. When the switch is set to

on, the switch’s indicator illuminates. Common switch for Blind Spot Moni-

tor function and Rear Cross Traffic Alert function.

Outside rear view mirror indicator

2

Blind Spot Monitor function:

When a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the outside rear view mirror

indicator comes on while the turn signal lever is not operated and the out-

side rear view mirror indicator flashes while the turn signal lever is oper-

ated.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert function:

When a vehicle approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle is

detected, the outside rear view mirror indicators flash.

∗: If equipped

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

Rear Cross Traffic Alert buzzer (Rear Cross Traffic Alert function

only)

3

When a vehicle approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle is

detected, a buzzer sounds from behind the rear seat.

■The outside rear view mirror indicators visibility

When under strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be dif-

ficult to see.

■Rear Cross Traffic Alert buzzer hearing

Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may be difficult to hear over loud noises

such as high audio volume.

■When there is a malfunction in the Blind Spot Monitor system

If a system malfunction is detected due to any of the following reasons, warn-

ing messages will be displayed:

●There is a malfunction with the sensors

●The sensors have become dirty

Clean the sensor and its surrounding area on the bumper.

●The outside temperature is extremely high or low

●The sensor voltage has become abnormal

If a message continues to be displayed, have the vehicle inspected by your

Toyota dealer.

■Certification for the Blind Spot Monitor system

 For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.

FCC ID: OAYSRR2A

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to

the following two conditions:

(1)This device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2)this device must accept any interference received, including interference

that may cause undesired operation.

FCC WARNING

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for

compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

 For vehicles sold in Canada

Applicable law : Canada 310

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s).

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not

cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, includ-

ing interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Frequency bands : 24.05 - 24.25GHz

Output power : less than 20 milliwatts

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

WARNING

■Handling the radar sensor

One Blind Spot Monitor sensor is installed inside the left and right side of

the vehicle rear bumper respectively. Observe the following to ensure the

Blind Spot Monitor system can function correctly.

●Keep the sensor and its surrounding

area on the bumper clean at all times.

●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area on the bumper to a strong

impact. If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may mal-

function and vehicles that enter the detection area may not be detected. If

the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a strong impact, always have

the area inspected by your Toyota dealer.

4

●Do not disassemble the sensor.

●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor or surrounding area on

the bumper.

●Do not modify the sensor or surrounding area on the bumper.

●Do not paint the rear bumper any color other than an official Toyota color.

The Blind Spot Monitor function

The Blind Spot Monitor function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles

that are traveling in an adjacent lane in the area that is not reflected in

the outside rear view mirror (the blind spot), and advises the driver of

the vehicles existence via the outside rear view mirror indicator.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

The Blind Spot Monitor function detection areas

The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.

The range of the detection area

extends to:

Approximately 11.5 ft. (3.5 m)

1

from the side of the vehicle

The first 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the

side of the vehicle is not in the

detection area

Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from

2

the rear bumper

Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) for-

3

ward of the rear bumper

WARNING

■Cautions regarding the use of the system

The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking

care to observe your surroundings.

The Blind Spot Monitor function is a supplementary function which alerts the

driver that a vehicle is present in the blind spot. Do not overly rely on the

Blind Spot Monitor function. The function cannot judge if it is safe to change

lanes, therefore over reliance could cause an accident resulting in death or

serious injury.

According to conditions, the system may not function correctly. Therefore

the driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

■The Blind Spot Monitor function is operational when

●The BSM main switch is set to on

●Vehicle speed is greater than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h).

■The Blind Spot Monitor function will detect a vehicle when

●A vehicle in an adjacent lane overtakes your vehicle.

●Another vehicle enters the detection area when it changes lanes.

■Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function will not detect a

vehicle

The Blind Spot Monitor function is not designed to detect the following types

of vehicles and/or objects:

^{●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.}*

●Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction

^{●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationary objects}*

●Following vehicles that are in the same lane*

●Vehicles driving 2 lanes across from your vehicle*

*^{: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.}

4

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

■Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function may not func-

tion correctly

●The Blind Spot Monitor function may not detect vehicles correctly in the fol-

lowing conditions:

• During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.

• When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper

• When driving on a road surface that is wet due to rain, standing water etc.

• When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and

the vehicle that enters the detection area

• When a vehicle is in the detection area from a stop and remains in the

detection area as your vehicle accelerates

• When driving up or down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, a dip

in the road etc.

• When multiple vehicles approach with only a small gap between each

vehicle

• When vehicle lanes are wide, and the vehicle in the next lane is too far

away from your vehicle

• When the vehicle that enters the detection area is traveling at about the

same speed as your vehicle

• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and

the vehicle that enters the detection area

• Directly after the BSM main switch is set to on

●Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor function unnecessarily detecting a vehi-

cle and/or object may increase under the following conditions:

• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a guardrail,

wall etc.

• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a following

vehicle

• When vehicle lanes are narrow and a vehicle driving 2 lanes across from

your vehicle enters the detection area

• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehi-

cle

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert functions when your vehicle is in reverse.

It can detect other vehicles approaching from the right or left rear of

the vehicle. It uses radar sensors to alert the driver of the other vehi-

cle’s existence through flashing the outside rear view mirror indicators

and sounding a buzzer.

4

Approaching vehicles

WARNING

Detection areas

1

2

■Cautions regarding the use of the system

The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking

care to observe your surroundings.

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is only an assist and is not a replace-

ment for careful driving. Driver must be careful when backing up, even

when using Rear Cross Traffic Alert function. The driver’s own visual confir-

mation of behind you and your vehicle is necessary and be sure there are

no pedestrians, other vehicles etc. before backing up. Failure to do so could

cause death or serious injury.

According to conditions, the system may not function correctly. Therefore

the driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function detection areas

The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.

To give the driver a more consistent time to react, the buzzer can alert

for faster vehicles from farther away.

Example:

Approximate

1

Approaching vehicle

Speed

alert distance

65 ft. (20 m)

18 ft. (5.5 m)

Fast

18 mph (28 km/h)

5 mph (8 km/h)

Slow

■The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is operational when

●The BSM main switch is set to on.

●The shift lever is in R.

●Vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).

●Approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and

18 mph (28 km/h).

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

■Conditions under which the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function will not

detect a vehicle

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is not designed to detect the following

types of vehicles and/or objects.

^{●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.}*

●Vehicles approaching from directly behind

^{●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationary objects}*

●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle

^{●Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle}*

●Vehicles backing up in the parking space next to your vehicle*

*^{: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.}

■Conditions under which the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may not

function correctly

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may not detect vehicles correctly in the

following conditions:

●When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper

●During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.

●When multiple vehicles approach continuously

●Shallow angle parking

4

●When a vehicle is approaching at high speed

●When parking on a steep incline, such as hills, a dip in the road etc.

●Directly after the BSM main switch is set to on

●Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect

because of obstacles

Driving -> BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

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