LEXUS RC350 2018 Owners Manual

2914-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
BSM main switch
This switch is for both the BSM function and RCTA function.
Pressing the switch turns the system on or of f. When the switch is turned on, the indi-
cator on the switch illuminates.
Outside rear view mirror indicators
BSM function:
When a vehicle is detected in a blind spot of the outside rear view mirrors or
approaching rapidly from behind into a blin d spot, the outside rear view mirror indi-
cator on the detected side will illuminate. If the turn signal lever is operated toward
the detected side, the outside rear view mirror indicator will flash.
RCTA function:
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is
detected, both outsid e rear view mirror indicators will flash.
Center Display
If a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, the
RCTA icon ( P. 297) for the detected side will be displayed on the Center Display.
This illustration shows an example of a ve hicle approaching from both sides of the
vehicle.
RCTA buzzer
If a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, a
buzzer will sound. The buzzer also sounds for approximately 1 second immediately
after the BSM main switch is operated to turn the system on.
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2924-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■Outside rear view mirror indicator visibility
In strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be difficult to see.
■Hearing the RCTA buzzer
The RCTA buzzer may be difficult to hear over loud noises, such as if the audio system
volume is high.
■When there is a malfunction in the Blind Spot Monitor
If a system malfunction is detected due to any of the following, a warning message will be
displayed: ( P. 460)
●A sensor is malfunctioning
●A sensor is dirty or covere d with snow or a sticker
●The outside temperature is extremely high or low
●Sensor voltage is abnormal
●A sensor is misaligned
WARNING
■Handling the radar sensor
Blind Spot Monitor sensors ar e installed behind the left and right sides of the rear
bumper respectively. Observe the following to ensure the Blind Spot Monitor can
function correctly.
●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 po sition, the system may malfunction and vehi-
cles may not be detected correctly.
In the following situations , have your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
• A sensor or its surrounding area is subject to a strong impact.
• If the surrounding area of a sensor is sc ratched or dented, or part of them has
become disconnected.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach stickers to the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not modify the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not paint the rear bumper any colo r other than an official Lexus color.
●Keep the sensors and the surrounding areas
on the rear 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 (P. 471) will be displayed.
In this situation, clear off the dirt or snow and
drive the vehicle with the operation condi-
tions of the BSM function ( P. 295) satisfied
for approximately 10 minutes. If the warning
message does not disappear, have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.

2934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
The BSM function uses radar sensors to de tect 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
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2944-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
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 of the vehicle
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*
: 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.
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2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■The BSM function is operational when
The BSM function is operational when all of the following conditions are met:
●The BSM main switch is on.
●The shift lever is in a position other than R.
●The vehicle speed is greater than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h).
■The BSM function will detect a vehicle when
The BSM function will detect a vehicle present in the dete ction area in the following situ-
ations:
●A vehicle in an adjacent la ne 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 vehi cles and similar stationary objects*
●Following vehicles that are in the same lane*
●Vehicles traveling 2 lanes away from your vehicle*
*
: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.

2964-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■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 a bicycle carrier or other accessory is installed to 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 main switch 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

2974-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■Operation of the RCTA function
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 outsid e rear view mirror indicators and sound-
ing a buzzer.
Approaching vehicles
Detection areas of approaching vehicles
■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 Center Display.
This illustration shows an example of
a vehicle approaching from both
sides of the vehicle. :The RCTA function is malfunctioning ( P. 292)
RCTA function
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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.

2984-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The buzzer can alert the driver of faster vehicles approaching from farther away.
Example:
■The RCTA function is operational when
The RCTA function operates when all of the following conditions are met:
●The BSM main switch is on.
●The shift lever is in R.
●The vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
●The approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and 18 mph
(28 km/h).
RCTA 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)
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2994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■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
●Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect due to
obstructions
• When backing up on a slope with a sharp change in grade

3004-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
• Immediately after the BSM
main switch is turned on
• Immediately after the engine is st arted with the BSM main switch 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