Page 322 of 528
The BSW system uses radar sensorsO1
installed near the rear bumper to detect
other vehicles in an adjacent lane.The radar sensors can detect vehicles on
either side of your vehicle within the detec-
tion zone shown as illustrated. This detec-
tion zone starts from the outside mirror of
your vehicle and extends approximately 10
f t (3.0 m) behind the rear bumper, and ap-
proximately 10 f t (3.0 m) sideways.
LSD2692SSD1030
Detection zone
5-36Starting and driving
Page 323 of 528

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.
LSD3784
For vehicles with the 7 inch meter display
Starting and driving5-37
Page 326 of 528
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 cer-
tain 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.
LSD3805
For vehicles with the 4.2 inch meter display
5-40Starting and driving
Page 327 of 528

–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 sen-
sors 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 occasionally be detected. This is
a normal operation condition.
• The following conditions may reduce
the ability of the radar to detect other
vehicles:
– Severe weather
– Road spray
– Ice/frost/snow/dirt build-up on
the vehicle •
Do not attach stickers (including
transparent material), install acces-
sories or apply additional paint near
the radar sensors. These conditions
may reduce the ability of the radar to
detect other vehicles.
• Excessive noise (for example, audio
system volume, open vehicle win-
dow) will interfere with the chime
sound, and it may not be heard.
BSW DRIVING SITUATIONS
Indicator on
Indicator off
Indicator flashing
LSD2299
Illustration 1 – Approaching from behind
Starting and driving5-41
Page 328 of 528
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 BSW/RCTA 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 BSW/RCTA indicator
light will flash but no chime will sound
when the other vehicle is detected.
LSD2300
Illustratio n 2 – Approaching from
behind
5-42Starting and driving
Page 329 of 528
Overtaking another vehicle
Illustration 3:The side BSW/RCTA indica-
tor light illuminates if you overtake a ve-
hicle and that vehicle stays in the detection
zone for approximately 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 BSW/RCTA 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 travel-
ing 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 BSW/RCTA indicator
light will flash but no chime will sound
when the other vehicle is detected.
LSD2302
Illustratio n3–Over taking another
vehicle
LSD2303
Illustratio n4–Over taking another
vehicle
Starting and driving5-43
Page 330 of 528
Entering from the side
Illustration 5:The side BSW/RCTA indicator
light illuminates if a vehicle enters the de-
tection 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 BSW/RCTA indicator
light flashes.
NOTE:
• If the driver activates the turn signal before a vehicle enters the detection
zone, the side BSW/RCTA indicator
light will flash but no chime will sound
when the other vehicle is detected. • The radar sensors may not detect a ve-
hicle which is traveling at about the
same speed as your vehicle when it en-
ters the detection zone.
LSD2305
Illustratio n 5 – Entering from the side
LSD2308
Illustration 6 – Entering from the side
5-44Starting and driving
Page 331 of 528
SYSTEM TEMPORARILY
UNAVAILABLE
When radar blockage is detected, the sys-
tem will be deactivated automatically. The
“Side Radar Obstruction” or the “Unavail-
able: Side Radar Obstruction” warning
message will appear and the BSW/RCTA
indicator (white) will blink
OAin the vehicle
information 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.
LSD3743
For vehicles with the 7 inch meter display
Starting and driving5-45