Page 367 of 660
3674-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
The BSM function uses radar sensors to detect the following vehicles traveling in
adjacent lanes and advises th e driver of the presence of such vehicles via the
indicators on the outside rear view mirrors.
Vehicles that are traveling in areas th at are not visible using the outside rear
view mirrors (the blind spots)
Vehicles that are approaching rapidly from behind in areas that are not visible
using the outside rear view mirrors (the blind spots)
BSM function
1
2
Page 368 of 660

3684-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of each detection area is: Approximately 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) to 11.5 ft. (3.5 m) from either side o\
f the vehicle
*
*
: The area between the side of the vehicle and 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the side of the vehicle cannot be detected.
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) forward of the rear bumper
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from the rear bumper
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) to 197 ft. (60 m) from the rear bumper
*
*
: The greater the difference in speed betwee n your vehicle and the detected vehicle is,
the farther away the vehicle will be detect ed, causing the outside rear view mirror
indicator to illuminate or flash.
BSM function detection areas
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The BSM function is a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehicle is in
a blind spot of the outside rear view mirrors or is approaching rapidly from behind into
a blind spot. Do not overly rely on the BSM function. As the function cannot judge if it is
safe to change lanes, over reliance could lead to an accident resulting in death or seri-
ous injury.
As the system may not function correctly under certain conditions, the driver’s own
visual confirmation of safety is necessary.
1
2
3
4
Page 370 of 660

3704-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■Conditions under which the BSM function may not function correctly
●The BSM function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a stro ng impact to the sensor or its surround-
ing area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticke r, etc. is covering the sensor or surrounding area on
the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surf ace that is wet with standing water during bad weather,
such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching wi th only a small gap between each vehicle
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and the vehicle that enters the detection area
• When the difference in speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is changing
• When a vehicle enters a detection area traveling at about the same speed as your vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehicle remains in the detection area
• When driving up and down cons ecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the road,
etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when driving on the edge of a lane, and the vehicle in an adjacent lane is far away from your vehicle
• When towing a trailer (vehicles with towing package)
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and the vehicle that enters the detection area
• Immediately after the BSM function is turned on
●Instances of the BSM function unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or object may
increase in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a stro ng impact to the sensor or its surround-
ing area
• When the distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc. that enters the detection area is short
• When driving up and down cons ecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the road,
etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or when driv ing on the edge of a lane, and a vehicle
traveling in a lane other than the ad jacent lanes enters the detection area
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or spinning
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When a bicycle carrier or other accessory is installed to the rear of the vehicle
• When towing a trailer (vehicles with towing package)
Page 371 of 660
3714-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
The RCTA function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from the
right or left at the rear of the vehicle and alerts the driver of the presence of such
vehicles by flashing the outside rear view mirror indicators and sounding a
buzzer.
Approaching vehicles
Detection areas of approaching vehicles
RCTA function
1
2
Page 372 of 660

3724-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■RCTA icon display
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is
detected, the following will be displayed on the audio system screen.
DisplayContent
A vehicle is approaching from the left at the rear of the vehicle
A vehicle is approaching from the right at the rear of the vehicle
Vehicles are approaching from both sides of the vehicle
The RCTA function is malfunctioning
( P. 365)
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The RCTA function is only a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehi-
cle is approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle. As the RCTA function
may not function correctly under certain cond itions, the driver’s own visual confirma-
tion of safety is necessary. Over reliance on this function may lead to an accident
resulting death or serious injury.
Page 374 of 660

3744-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■Conditions under which the RCTA fu nction will not detect a vehicle
The RCTA function is not designed to detect the following types of vehicles and/or
objects:
●Vehicles approaching from directly behind
●Vehicles backing up in a parkin g space next to your vehicle
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi cles and similar stationary objects*
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc.*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
●Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle*
*
: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■Conditions under which the RCTA function may not function correctly
●The RCTA function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a stro ng impact to the sensor or its surround-
ing area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticke r, etc. is covering the sensor or surrounding area on
the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surf ace that is wet with standing water during bad weather,
such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching wi th only a small gap between each vehicle
• When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
• When towing a trailer (vehicles with towing package)
●Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect due to
obstructions
• When backing up on a slope with a sharp change in grade
Page 375 of 660
3754-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U• Immediately after the RCTA function is turned on
• Immediately after the hybrid system is started with the RCTA function on
●Instances of the RCTA function unnecessari
ly detecting a vehicle and/or object may
increase in the following situations:
• When a vehicle passes by th e side of your vehicle
• When the distance between your vehicle and metal objects, such as a guardrail,
wall, sign, or parked vehicle, which may re flect electrical waves toward the rear of
the vehicle, is short
• When backing out of a shallow angle park-
ing spot
• When the sensors cannot detect a vehicle due to obstructions
• When the parking space faces a street and vehicles are being driven on the street
Page 392 of 660

3924-6. Driving tips
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
To enable the windshield wi pers to be lifted when heavy snow or icy conditions
are expected, change the rest position of the windshield wipers from the
retracted position below the hood to th e service position using the wiper lever.
(
P. 263)
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the rear tires.
●Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after driving
1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instru ctions provided with the tire chains.
Windshield wipers
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehi cle control and cause death or serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h ), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used, or
30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting operations
that cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle control is main-
tained.
●Do not use the LKA (Lane-Keepin g Assist) system. (if equipped)
●Do not use the LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) system. (if
equipped)