2018 Lexus ES350 Owner's Manuals / LEXUS 2018 ES350 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM06134U)

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ES350_OM_OM06134U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
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 th
e decision when changing lanes
●The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function
Assists the driver when backing up
These functions use same sensors.
BSM main switch
Pressing the switch turns the system on or of f. When the switch is set to on, the switch’s
indicator illuminates. Common switch fo r Blind Spot Monitor function and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert function.
Outside rear view mirror indicator
Blind Spot Monitor function:
When a vehicle is detected in the blind sp ot, the outside rear view mirror indicator
comes on while the turn signal lever is not operated. If the turn signal lever is operated
toward the detected side, the outsid e rear view mirror indicator flashes.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert function:
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle is detected, the
outside rear view mi rror indicators flash.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert buzzer (Rea r 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.
∗: If equipped
Summary of the Blind Spot Monitor
1
2
3

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ES350_OM_OM06134U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■The outside rear view mi
rror 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 diffic ult to hear over loud noises such as high
audio volume.
■When “Blind Spot Monitor Unavailable” is shown on the multi-information display
Water, snow mud, etc., may be built up in the vicinity of the sensor area of bumper.
( → P. 251) Removing the water, snow, mud, etc. , from the vicinity of the sensor area
bumper should return it to normal. Also, the sensor may not function normally when
used in extremely hot or cold weather.
■When “Blind Spot Monitor System Malfunct ion Visit Your Dealer” is shown on the
multi-information display
There may be a sensor malfunction or voltage abnormality. Have the vehicle inspected at
a Lexus dealer.
■Certification for the B lind Spot Monitor system
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
For vehicles sold in Canada

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Driving
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 sys-
tem can function correctly.
●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area on the bumper to a strong impact. If
the sensor moves even slight ly off position, the system may malfunction 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 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 su rrounding area on the bumper.
●Do not paint the rear bumper any colo r other than an official Lexus color.
●Keep the sensor and its surrounding area on
the bumper clean at all times.

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ES350_OM_OM06134U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
The Blind Spot Monitor function uses rada
r 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.
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) forward
of the rear bumper
The Blind Spot Monitor function
The Blind Spot Monitor function detection areas
1
2
3
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 supp lementary 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 judg e if it is safe to change lanes, therefore over reliance
could cause an accident resultin g in death or serious injury.
According to conditions, the system does have operational limitations. Therefore the
driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

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Driving
■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 vehicles
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.
■Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function may not function correctly
●The Blind Spot Monitor function may not dete ct vehicles correctly in the following con-
ditions:
• 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
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle
●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 betw een your vehicle and a guardrail, wall etc.
• When there is only a short distance betw een your vehicle and a following vehicle
• When vehicle lanes are narrow and a vehicle driving 2 lanes across from your vehi- cle enters the detection area
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle

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ES350_OM_OM06134U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert functions when your vehicle is in reverse. It can
detect other vehicles approaching from the ri
ght or left rear of the vehicle. It uses
radar sensors to alert the driver of the other vehicle’s existence through flashing
the outside rear view mirror indicators and sounding a buzzer.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function
Approaching vehicles Detection areas12
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 Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is only an assist and is not a replacement for care-
ful driving. Driver must be careful when ba cking up, even when using Rear Cross Traffic
Alert function. The driver’s own visual conf irmation 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 caus e death or serious injury.
According to conditio ns, the system may not function correctly. Therefore the driver’s
own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

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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:
■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 ap proximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
●Approaching vehicle speed is between appr oximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and 18 mph (28
km/h).
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function detection areas
Approaching vehicleSpeedApproximate
alert distance
Fast18 mph (28 km/h)65 ft. (20 m)
Slow5 mph (8 km/h)18 ft. (5.5 m)
1

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ES350_OM_OM06134U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Conditions under which the Re
ar Cross Traffic Alert function will not detect a vehicle
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is no t 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 vehi cles 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 Re ar Cross Traffic Alert function may not function cor-
rectly
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may no t 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
●When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
●When parking on a steep incline, su ch 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