Lexus Models With Blind Spot Monitoring: Which Cars Have It?

Blind Spot Monitoring is an innovative feature in Lexus vehicles that enhances driving safety and confidence. This advanced system, utilising quasi-millimetre wave radar, provides drivers with an accurate understanding of the positioning of surrounding vehicles, particularly those in adjacent lanes. By offering alerts about vehicles or objects in the vehicle's blind spots, the feature assists drivers in making informed decisions when changing lanes and manoeuvring. This technology is available in various Lexus models, including the Lexus GS, RX, ES, GX, LX, NX, RC, LC, and IS, enhancing the driving experience and providing valuable awareness on the road.

Lexus models with blind spot monitoring

Blind Spot Monitoring is a standard feature on most new Lexus models. This system is designed to detect and warn the driver of any vehicles or objects approaching or positioned in the vehicle's blind spots. The system uses quasi-millimetre wave radar to detect vehicles in a driver's blind spots, with a sensing range that extends up to 60 metres rearward in the adjacent lane.

The following Lexus models are known to come with Blind Spot Monitoring:

• Lexus GS
• Lexus RX
• Lexus ES
• Lexus GX
• Lexus LX
• Lexus NX
• Lexus RC
• Lexus LC
• Lexus IS
• Lexus LS
• Lexus RX 350L
• Lexus RX450h

The Blind Spot Monitor has two functions:

• BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) function: Assists the driver in making a decision when changing lanes
• RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function: Assists the driver when backing up

The Lexus Safety System+ comes with a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert as a standard feature. This system is designed to enhance your driving perception and allow for smooth lane changes.

How to turn on blind spot monitoring in a Lexus

Blind Spot Monitoring is a standard feature on most new Lexus models, such as the Lexus GS, RX, ES, GX, LX, NX, RC, and LC. The system is designed to detect and warn the driver of any vehicles or objects in the vehicle's blind spots, enhancing driving perception and agility.

The process of activating Blind Spot Monitoring varies slightly between different Lexus models, but here is a general guide:

Lexus GS, LX, RX, and GX:

• Use the steering wheel controls to access the settings menu in the Multi-Information Display (MID), which looks like a gear icon.
• Navigate to the "BSM" setting using the up and down arrows on the meter control switches.
• Select "BSM" by pressing the corresponding button on the meter control switch.
• Ensure that Blind Spot Monitoring is activated by locating the green BSM indicator light on your dashboard.

Lexus ES:

Locate the BSM button, which is usually positioned under the outside mirror controls or near your left knee when sitting inside the vehicle. Simply press this button to activate Blind Spot Monitoring.

Lexus IS and LS:

The Lexus IS and LS models offer easy access to the Blind Spot Monitoring feature. Simply locate the BSM button, which is positioned inside the driver's door. Press the button, and a green light will indicate that the feature is activated.

Lexus NX and RC:

To activate Blind Spot Monitoring in the Lexus NX and RC models, press the BSM button located inside the driver's door. The feature is active when a green light is illuminated.

Additional Information:

It is worth noting that the Blind Spot Monitoring system in Lexus vehicles has two main functions: the BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) function and the RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function. The BSM function assists the driver in changing lanes, while the RCTA function helps when backing up or reversing.

Remember to refer to your specific Lexus model's owner's manual for detailed instructions on activating Blind Spot Monitoring and other safety features.

The Lexus Safety System+

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

The Pre-Collision System uses a combination of millimetre-wave radar and a stereo camera to detect pedestrians, vehicles, or other obstacles in the path of the Lexus vehicle. If a potential frontal collision is detected, the system will provide a visible warning in the Head-Up Display and, if necessary, apply brake pressure to help prevent a collision. The latest iteration of this system, available in the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, features enhanced radar and camera capabilities that can detect obstacles during daytime and low-light conditions and even bicyclists during the day.

Lane Assistance Systems

Intelligent High Beams

The Intelligent High Beams feature automatically adjusts the headlights to provide optimal visibility for the driver and other drivers on the road. When the road ahead is clear, the system turns on the high beams, and when it detects an approaching vehicle, it switches to low beams to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control feature uses radar and camera technology to maintain a preset speed and following distance from the vehicle ahead. If the Lexus vehicle gets too close to the vehicle in front, the system reduces the throttle and applies the brakes if necessary. When the traffic ahead clears, the Lexus will return to the preset speed. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 introduces All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which allows the vehicle to automatically slow down or stop at any speed when it gets too close to the vehicle in front.

Blind Spot Monitor

The Blind Spot Monitor increases the driver's agility and confidence on the road by providing an accurate impression of other vehicles' positioning in their blind spots. This system uses quasi-millimetre wave radar to detect vehicles in the blind spots and alerts drivers to objects approaching from the rear at speed. When a driver indicates a lane change, the area where an obstacle is present is illuminated in the outer mirror, enhancing visibility and enabling smoother lane changes.

How blind spot monitoring works

Blind-spot monitoring is a safety feature that watches a driver's blind spots and alerts them if they attempt to make an unsafe lane change. While it is not a replacement for manually checking one's blind spots, it can be extremely useful in situations where it is hard to see these spots using mirrors or a quick glance.

The Lexus Safety System+ comes with a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert as a standard feature. This system is designed to detect and warn the driver of any vehicles or objects approaching or positioned in the vehicle's blind spots. The following Lexus models are known to come with Blind Spot Monitoring:

• Lexus GS
• Lexus RX
• Lexus ES
• Lexus GX
• Lexus LX
• Lexus NX
• Lexus RC
• Lexus LC

The Blind Spot Monitor uses quasi-millimetre wave radar to detect vehicles in a driver's blind spots, with a sensing range that extends up to 60 metres rearward in the adjacent lane. When a driver indicates to change lanes, an area is illuminated in the outer mirror where an obstacle is present, directly in the driver's eye line. This extra level of visibility enhances driving skills and motorway confidence, allowing for lane changes at the ideal moment while maintaining complete awareness of the road.

The alerts are both visual and audible, with lights and beeps to help prevent accidents. The visual alerts are usually on the inside of the front doors near the mirrors or on the mirrors themselves. The audible alerts are activated when the driver turns on their turn signal while there is a car in their blind spot.

Adding blind-spot monitoring to older Lexus models

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is a feature that increases your agility on the road and gives you a more accurate impression of other vehicles' positioning, enhancing your driving perception and allowing you to make smoother lane changes.

The following Lexus models are known to come with Blind Spot Monitoring:

• Lexus GS
• Lexus RX
• Lexus ES
• Lexus GX
• Lexus LX
• Lexus NX
• Lexus RC
• Lexus LC
• Lexus IS models (Premier grade only)
• Lexus NX luxury crossover

It is worth noting that Blind Spot Monitoring is a standard and common feature on most new Lexus models, with the exception of a few true base models.

If you own an older Lexus model that does not have built-in BSM, you can still install this technology aftermarket. While the accuracy of aftermarket blind-spot detection systems is often slightly less than that of factory-installed technology, it is still a valuable addition to your vehicle.

Aftermarket blind-spot monitoring systems use quasi-millimetre wave radar to detect vehicles in a driver's blind spots, with a sensing range that extends up to 60 metres rearward in the adjacent lane. The system also alerts drivers to objects approaching from the rear at speed, so they are aware of any vehicles on the move.

When a driver indicates to change lanes, an area is illuminated in the outer mirror where an obstacle is present, directly in the driver's eye line. This extra level of visibility enhances driving skills and provides additional calm and confidence when changing lanes, allowing you to make the ideal manoeuvre at the right moment and maintain complete awareness of the road around you.

To install an aftermarket blind-spot monitoring system, you will need to purchase a suitable system and have it installed by a professional. This typically involves installing sensors on the rear bumper of your vehicle and connecting them to a display or alert system inside the car.

It is important to note that while aftermarket blind-spot monitoring systems can provide valuable assistance, they should not be solely relied upon for safety. The driver is always responsible for driving safely and should use their own judgement and driving skills in addition to the system's alerts and warnings.

Frequently asked questions