2013 Lexus ES300h Do-it-yourself maintenance / Owner's Manual (OM33A01U)

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BSM (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.

: If equipped
Summary of the Blind Spot Monitor
BSM main switch
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 Monitor function
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert function.
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Outside rear view mirror indicator
Blind Spot Monitor function:
When a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the outside rear view mirror indica-
tor comes on while the turn signal lever is not operated and the outside rear view
mirror indicator flashes while the turn signal lever is operated.
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.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert buzzer (Rear Cross Traffic Alert function only)
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle is detected,
a buzzer sounds from behind the rear seat.
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■The outside rear view mirror indicators visibility
When under strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be difficult 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, warning mes-
sages will be displayed: ( P. 76 5 )
●There is a malfunction with the sensors
●The sensors have become dirty
●The outside temperature is extremely high or low
●The sensor voltage has become abnormal
■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 fol-
lowing two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interferen ce received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly ap proved by the party responsible for com-
pliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
For vehicles sold in Canada
Applicable law: Canada 310
This device complies with Industry Cana da licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Oper-
ation is subject to the following two conditio ns: (1) this device may not cause interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that
may cause undesired operation of the device.
Frequency bands: 24.05-24.25 GHz
Output power: less than 20 milliwatts

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CAUTION
■Handling the radar sensor
One Blind Spot Monitor sensor is installed inside the left and right side of the vehi-
cle rear bumper respectively. Observe the following to ensure the Blind Spot
Monitor system can function correctly.
●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 malfunction and
vehicles that enter the detection area may not be detected. If the sensor or sur-
rounding area is subject to a strong im pact, always have the area inspected by
your Lexus dealer.
●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 sensor or surrounding area on the bumper.
●Keep the sensor and its surrounding area
on the bumper clean at all times.

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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 out-
side rear view mirror (the blind spot), and advises the driver of the vehicles
existence via the outside rear view mirror indicator.
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)
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
the rear bumper
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) for-
ward of the rear bumper
The Blind Spot Monitor function
The Blind Spot Monitor fu nction detection areas
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CAUTION
■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 blin d 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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■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 design ed to detect the following types of vehi-
cles and/or objects:
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.*
●Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi cles 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.

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■Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function may not function cor-
rectly
●The Blind Spot Monitor function may not de tect vehicles correctly in the following
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 detect ion 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 functi on unnecessarily detecting a vehicle 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 vehi- cle
• When vehicle lanes are narrow and a ve hicle 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 vehicle

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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 vehicle’s exist-
ence through flashing the outside rear view mirror indicators and sound-
ing a buzzer.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function
Approaching vehicles Detection areas12
CAUTION
■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 replacement for
careful driving. Driver must be careful when backing up, even when using Rear
Cross Traffic Alert function. The driver’s own visual confirmation 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.