Toyota Camry Blind spot monitoring uses a set of sensors mounted on the side mirrors or rear bumper to detect vehicles in the adjacent lanes. If the sensors detect something, they’ll alert you via an audible and/or visual warning. Some vehicles even use a camera as the main part of the system or to complement the sensors.
Summary of the Blind Spot Monitor
The Blind Spot Monitor is a system that has 2 functions;
- The BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) function
Assists the driver in making a decision when changing lanes - The RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function
Assists the driver when backing up
These functions use same sensors.
- Multi-information display
Turning the BSM function/RCTA function on/off. - Outside rear view mirror indicators
BSM function:
When a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the outside rear view mirror indicator 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.
RCTA function:
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle is detected, the outside rear view mirror indicators flash. - “BSM” indicator/“RCTA” indicator
When the BSM function/RCTA function is turned on, the indicator illuminates. - Audio system screen (RCTA function only)
If a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, the RCTA icon for the detected side will be displayed. - RCTA buzzer (RCTA 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.
Turning the BSM function/RCTA function on/off
The outside rear view mirror indicators visibility
When under strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be difficult to see.
RCTA buzzer hearing
RCTA function may be difficult to hear over loud noises such as high audio volume.
When “Blind Spot Monitor Unavailable” and “Rear Cross Traffic Alert Unavailable” are shown on the multi-information display
Ice, snow, mud, etc., may be attached to the rear bumper around the sensors.
The system should return to normal operation after removing the ice, snow, mud, etc. from the rear bumper.
Additionally, the sensors may not operate normally when driving in extremely hot or cold environments.
When there is a malfunction in the Blind Spot Monitor
If a system malfunction is detected due to any of the following reasons, a warning message will be displayed:
- 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
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 can function correctly.
- Keep the sensor and its surrounding area on the bumper clean at all times. If a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear bumper is dirty or covered with snow, the Blind Spot Monitor may not operate and a warning message will be displayed.
In this situation, clear off the dirt or snow and drive the vehicle with the operation conditions of the BSM function satisfied for approximately 10 minutes.
If the warning message does not disappear, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer - Do not subject a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear bumper to a strong impact.
If a sensor is moved even slightly off position, the system may malfunction and vehicles may not be detected correctly.
In the following situations, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.- A sensor or its surrounding area is subject to a strong impact.
- If the surrounding area of a sensor is scratched or dented, or part of them has become disconnected.
- 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 rear bumper any color other than an official Toyota color.
BSM function
The BSM function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles that are traveling in an adjacent lane in the area that is usually 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.
BSM function detection areas
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
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 BSM function is a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehicle is present in the blind spot. Do not overly rely on the BSM 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.
The BSM function is operational when
- The BSM function is turned on
- Vehicle speed is greater than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h).
The BSM 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 BSM function will not detect a vehicle
The BSM function is not designed 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 vehicles and similar stationary objects*
- Following vehicles that are in the same lane*
- Vehicles driving 2 lanes across from your vehicle*
*: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
Conditions under which the BSM function may not function correctly
- The BSM function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following conditions:
- When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its surrounding area
- 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, snow, 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 on the road, etc.
- When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
- 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 function is turned on
- Instances of the BSM function unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or object may increase under the following conditions:
- When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its surrounding area
- 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 vehicle
- When vehicle lanes are narrow and a vehicle 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
RCTA function
The RCTA 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 existence through flashing the outside rear view mirror indicators and sounding a buzzer.
- Approaching vehicles
- Detection areas
RCTA icon display (if equipped)
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.
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 RCTA function is only an assist and is not a replacement for careful driving. Driver must be careful when backing up, even when using RCTA 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.
RCTA function detection areas
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 RCTA function is operational when
- The RCTA function is turned on.
- The shift lever is in R.
- Vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
- Approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and 18 mph (28 km/h).
Conditions under which the RCTA function will not detect a vehicle
The RCTA function is not 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 vehicles 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 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 conditions:
- When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its surrounding area
- 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, such as hills, a dip on the road, etc.
- Directly after the RCTA function is turned on
- Directly after the engine is started with the RCTA function on.
- Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect because of obstacles
When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle
- Instances of the RCTA function unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or object may increase in the following situations:
- When a vehicle passes by the side of your vehicle
- When the parking space faces a street and vehicles are being driven on the street
When the distance between your vehicle and metal objects, such as a guardrail, wall, sign, or parked vehicle, which may reflect electrical waves toward the rear of the vehicle, is short