Lexus Rc Turbo: Blind Spot Monitor Availability And Performance

The Lexus RC is a luxury car that comes equipped with a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system, which is designed to enhance a driver's perception and improve their agility on the road. The BSM uses radar sensors to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes, alerting the driver to obstacles in their blind spots. This feature is particularly useful when changing lanes or reversing, providing an extra level of visibility and confidence while driving. The BSM can be turned on and off using steering wheel controls and the multi-information display, with a green BSM indicator light appearing on the dashboard when activated.

How to turn on the blind spot monitor in the Lexus RC

The Lexus RC is equipped with a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert as a standard feature. This system uses radar sensors in the rear quarters of the vehicle to detect vehicles approaching from adjacent lanes and warns the driver if a vehicle is in their blind spot.

To turn on the Blind Spot Monitor in the Lexus RC, simply press the BSM button located inside the driver's door. The BSM button will illuminate with a green light to indicate that the feature is turned on.

The Blind Spot Monitor can be turned off by pressing the BSM button again. When the feature is turned off, the green light next to the button will turn off.

It is important to note that the Blind Spot Monitor is not a substitute for safe driving practices and drivers should always remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.

Additionally, the Lexus RC's Rear Cross-Traffic Alert feature uses the same sensors as the Blind Spot Monitor to detect oncoming vehicles when backing up from a parking spot or driveway. This feature provides both visual and audible warnings if cross-traffic is detected and can be turned off with the push of a button.

The benefits of the blind spot monitor

The Lexus RC Turbo is equipped with a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system, which is a standard feature on most new Lexus models. This system offers several benefits to enhance safety and improve the driving experience.

Benefits of the Blind Spot Monitor:

Increased Driving Awareness:

The BSM system provides drivers with increased awareness of their surroundings, especially in areas that are hard to see, like blind spots. It covers 360-degree road conditions around the vehicle, helping drivers detect vehicles or objects in adjacent lanes or blind spots.

Assists Drivers of Larger Vehicles:

For larger vehicles, like the Lexus RC, blind spots can be more significant. The BSM system helps reduce stress by monitoring these blind spots, making it easier for drivers to manoeuvre and change lanes safely.

Accident Prevention and Minimization:

The system alerts drivers to potential hazards, helping to prevent accidents. It provides early warnings, increasing the time for drivers to respond and take evasive action, such as braking or steering away from potential collisions.

Enhanced Safety and Confidence:

With the BSM system, drivers and passengers can feel safer and more confident on the road. The system reduces the risk of lane-changing crashes and minimizes injuries by providing timely alerts and warnings.

Stress Relief:

Driving in heavy traffic or on multi-lane highways can be stressful. The BSM system relieves some of this stress by monitoring blind spots and providing drivers with crucial information to make safer decisions, especially when changing lanes or merging.

Adaptability to Vehicle Size:

The benefits of the BSM system are particularly notable for larger vehicles. The bigger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot, and the more the system can help prevent accidents and enhance safety.

The Lexus RC Turbo's Blind Spot Monitor is an active safety feature that improves overall driving safety. By alerting drivers to potential hazards, it helps prevent accidents and provides peace of mind while on the road.

How the blind spot monitor works

The Lexus RC Turbo is equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ and comes with a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert as a standard feature. This system uses radar sensors in the rear quarters of the vehicle to detect vehicles approaching from adjacent lanes. If a vehicle is detected in the Lexus' blind spot, a solid light appears in the side-view mirror to alert the driver. If the driver signals to change lanes while a vehicle is in the blind spot, the light flashes to warn the driver.

The radar sensors can adjust their detection range based on signals from the steering angle sensor, allowing the system to detect vehicles even when driving on curving roads. The Rear Cross-Traffic Alert uses the same sensors to detect oncoming vehicles when the Lexus is backing out of a parking spot or driveway. In this case, both a visual and audible warning are activated if cross-traffic is detected.

The BSM system can be turned on and off using the steering wheel controls and the multi-information display (MID). Drivers can access the settings menu in the MID by using the steering wheel controls to toggle to the gear icon. From there, they can use the up and down arrows to select "BSM" and turn it on or off. A green BSM indicator light on the dashboard confirms that the feature is active.

The Blind Spot Monitor is designed to increase the driver's awareness of their surroundings and enhance safety when changing lanes or reversing. It provides valuable assistance by alerting drivers to vehicles or objects in their blind spots, helping to prevent potential collisions.

Other Lexus models with blind spot monitoring

The Lexus RC does come with a Blind Spot Monitor. This feature is available on most new Lexus models, including the Lexus GS, RX, ES, GX, LX, NX, LC, and LS.

The Lexus RC 350, for example, is equipped with a Blind Spot Monitor, as are the Lexus NX 300, NX 300h, NX 350, and NX 200t. The Lexus IS 350 and IS 250 also offer this feature, as well as the Lexus ES 350, ES 300h, and ES 250.

The Lexus GX 460, LX 570, and LS 460 are further models that include the Blind Spot Monitor. The Lexus GS 350 and LS 500 are also mentioned as having this feature.

The Blind Spot Monitor system is designed to enhance driving safety by providing an accurate impression of other vehicles' positioning and alerting drivers to objects or vehicles in their blind spots.

How to fix a malfunctioning blind spot monitor

The Lexus RC Turbo does have a blind spot monitor. If your blind spot monitor is malfunctioning, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix it.

First, check your vehicle's settings to ensure that the blind spot monitor is turned on. In Lexus vehicles, the blind spot monitor is typically turned on and off using the steering wheel controls and the multi-information display (MID). Use the steering wheel controls to navigate to the settings menu in the MID, then select "BSM" using the up and down arrows. Make sure the feature is turned on by looking for a green BSM indicator light on your dashboard.

If the blind spot monitor is already turned on, try adjusting the sensitivity settings. In some Lexus models, you can adjust the distance at which the sensor detects an oncoming car. Reducing the sensitivity may help to prevent false activations.

If adjusting the settings does not resolve the issue, it is recommended to consult a Lexus dealer or service manager. They will be able to diagnose and address any technical issues with the blind spot monitor system. Provide them with as much detail as possible about the issue, and if possible, demonstrate the malfunction. If the problem persists and poses a safety concern, you may need to escalate the issue to Lexus corporate.

In some cases, it may be necessary to install aftermarket blind spot detection technology. While the accuracy of aftermarket solutions may be slightly lower than factory-installed systems, they can still provide valuable assistance in monitoring blind spots.

Frequently asked questions