2018 NISSAN SENTRA sensor

1. Side BSW/RCTA Indicator Light
2. BSW/RCTA Indicator
BSW SYSTEM OPERATION
The BSW system operates above approxi-
mately 20 mph (32 km/h).
If the radar sensors detect a vehicle in the
detection zone, the side BSW/RCTA indica-
tor light (1) illuminates. If the turn signal is
then activated, the system chimes (twice)
and the side BSW/RCTA indicator light
flashes. The BSW indicator light continues
to flash until the detected vehicles leaves
the detection zone.
The side BSW/RCTA indicator light illumi-
nates for a few seconds when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position.
The brightness of the side BSW/RCTA indi-
cator light is adjusted automatically de-
pending on the brightness of the ambient
light.
If a vehicle comes into the detection zone
af ter the driver activates the turn signal,
then only the side BSW/RCTA indicator light
flashes and no chime sounds. For addi-
tional information, refer to “BSW driving
situations” in this section.
LSD2624
Starting and driving5-29

∙When the BSW system is turned on,
the BSW/RCTA indicator (white) in the
vehicle information display illumi-
nates.
BSW SYSTEM LIMITATIONS
WARNING
Listed below are the system limitations
for the BSW system. Failure to operate
the vehicle in accordance with these
system limitations could result in seri-
ous injury or death.
∙ The BSW system cannot detect all ve- hicles under all conditions.
∙ The radar sensors may not be able to detect and activate BSW when certain
objects are present such as:
– Pedestrian, bicycles, animals.
– Vehicles such as motorcycles, low height vehicles, or high ground
clearance vehicles.
– Oncoming vehicles.
– Vehicles remaining in the detec- tion zone when you accelerate
from a stop. – A vehicle merging into an adjacent
lane at a speed approximately the
same as your vehicle.
– A vehicle approaching rapidly from behind.
– A vehicle which your vehicle over- takes rapidly.
– A vehicle that passes through the detection zone quickly.
– When overtaking several vehicles in a row, the vehicles af ter the first
vehicle may not be detected if they
are traveling close together.
∙ The radar sensors’ detection zone is designed based on a standard lane
width. When driving in a wider lane,
the radar sensors may not detect ve-
hicles in an adjacent lane. When driv-
ing in a narrow lane, the radar sensors
may detect vehicles driving two lanes
away.
∙ The radar sensors are designed to ig- nore most stationary objects; how-
ever, objects such as guardrails, walls,
foliage and parked vehicles may oc-
casionally be detected. This is a nor-
mal operation condition. ∙ The following conditions may reduce
the ability of the radar to detect other
vehicles:
– Severe weather
– Road spray
– Ice/frost/dirt build-up on the vehicle
∙ Do not attach stickers (including transparent material), install accesso-
ries or apply additional paint near the
radar sensors. These conditions may
reduce the ability of the radar to de-
tect other vehicles.
∙ Excessive noise (for example, audio system volume, open vehicle window)
will interfere with the chime sound,
and it may not be heard.
Starting and driving5-31

BSW DRIVING SITUATIONS
Indicator
on
Indicator
off
Indicator
flashing
Another vehicle approaching
from behind
Illustration 1:The side BSW/RCTA indicator
light illuminates if a vehicle enters the de-
tection zone from behind in an adjacent
lane.
Illustration 2:If the driver activates the
turn signal when another vehicle is in the
detection zone, then the system chimes
(twice) and the side indicator light flashes.
NOTE:
∙ The radar sensors may not detect ve-
hicles which are approaching rapidly
from behind.
∙ If the driver activates the turn signal
before a vehicle enters the detection
zone, the side indicator light will flash
but no chime will sound when the
other vehicle is detected.
Illustratio n 1 – Approaching from behind
LSD2299
Illustration 2 – Approaching from behind
LSD2300
5-32Starting and driving

Overtaking another vehicle
Illustration 3:The side indicator light illu-
minates if you overtake a vehicle and that
vehicle stays in the detection zone for ap-
proximately 2 seconds. Illustration 4:
If the driver activates the
turn signal while another vehicle is in the
detection zone, then the system chimes
(twice) and the side indicator light flashes.
NOTE:
∙ When overtaking several vehicles in a
row, the vehicles af ter the first vehicle
may not be detected if they are trav-
eling close together.
∙ The radar sensors may not detect
slower moving vehicles if they are
passed quickly. ∙
If the driver activates the turn signal
before a vehicle enters the detection
zone, the side indicator light will flash
but no chime will sound when the
other vehicle is detected.
Illustratio n3–Over taking another ve-
hicle
LSD2302
Illustratio n4–Over taking another ve-
hicle
LSD2303
Starting and driving5-33

Entering from the side
Illustration 5:The side indicator light illu-
minates if a vehicle enters the detection
zone from either side. Illustration 6:
If the driver activates the
turn signal while another vehicle is in the
detection zone, then the system chimes
(twice) and the side indicator light flashes.
NOTE:
∙ If the driver activates the turn signal
before a vehicle enters the detection
zone, the side indicator light will flash
but no chime will sound when the
other vehicle is detected. ∙
The radar sensors may not detect a
vehicle which is traveling at about the
same speed as your vehicle when it
enters the detection zone.
Illustratio n 5 – Entering from the side
LSD2305
Illustration 6 – Entering from the side
LSD2308
5-34Starting and driving

SYSTEM TEMPORARILY
UNAVAILABLE
When radar blockage is detected, the sys-
tem will be deactivated automatically. The
“Side Radar Obstruction” warning message
will appear and the BSW/RCTA indicator
(white) will blink
Ain the vehicle informa-
tion display.
The system is not available until the condi-
tions no longer exist.
The radar sensors may be blocked by tem-
porary ambient conditions such as splash-
ing water, mist or fog. The blocked condi-
tion may also be caused by objects such as
ice, frost or dirt obstructing the radar sen-
sors.
NOTE:
If the BSW system stops working, the
RCTA system (if so equipped) will also
stop working.
Action to take:
When the above conditions no longer exist,
the system will resume automatically.
LSD2623
Starting and driving5-35

Malfunction
If the BSW system malfunctions, it will turn
off automatically. The system malfunction
warning message with the BSW/RCTA indi-
cator (orange) will appear in the vehicle in-
formation display.
NOTE:
If the BSW system stops working, the
RCTA system (if so equipped) will also
stop working.
Action to take:
Stop the vehicle in a safe location, turn the
engine off and restart the engine. If the
message continues to appear, have the
system checked. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The two radar sensors1for the BSW and
RCTA systems are located near the rear
bumper. Always keep the area near the ra-
dar sensors clean.
The radar sensors may be blocked by tem-
porary ambient conditions such as splash-
ing water, mist or fog.
The blocked condition may also be caused
by objects such as ice, frost or dirt ob-
structing the radar sensors.
Check for and remove objects obstructing
the area around the radar sensors. Do not attach stickers (including transpar-
ent material), install accessories or apply
additional paint near the radar sensors.
Do not strike or damage the area around
the radar sensors. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer if the area around
the radar sensors is damaged due to a
collision.
Radio frequency statement
For USA
FCC : OAYSRR2B
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 ac-
cept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
FCC Warning
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s author-
ity to operate the equipment
LSD2692
5-36Starting and driving

The RCTA system uses radar sensors1
installed on both sides near the rear bum-
per to detect an approaching vehicle.
The radar sensors
1can detect an ap-
proaching vehicle from up to approxi-
mately 66 f t (20 m) away.
LSD2216LSD2692
Starting and driving5-39