Lexus vehicles are known for their luxury and advanced technology features, including their Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system. However, many drivers don’t fully understand the BSM light and its meaning or how to turn it on or off.
The BSM system alerts the driver when a vehicle is in its blind spot, increasing safety and reducing the risk of accidents.
This guide will delve into the meaning of the Lexus BSM light, explore how to turn it on and off, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the BSM system, and provide tips for using it effectively.
By the end of this guide, you will better understand the BSM light in your Lexus vehicle and how to utilize it to increase your safety on the road.
What Does BSM Light Mean?
The BSM light in a Lexus vehicle is an indicator that the Blind Spot Monitor system is active and monitoring the vehicle’s blind spots for other cars or objects.
The Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system uses sensors on the rear bumper to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spot, and the BSM light will illuminate when the system detects a vehicle in the blind spot.
The BSM light also comes on if there is a system malfunction or the sensors are blocked or dirty. In such cases, the BSM light blinks or stays continuously to indicate a problem with the system. Understanding the meaning of the BSM light is important to know when to take action and ensure safe driving.
Possible Causes Of BSM Light Coming On
Have you ever been driving your Lexus vehicle and noticed the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) light suddenly come on, even though you thought there was no object in your blind spot? There are several potential causes of this phenomenon. We’ll explore some of the most common reasons why the BSM light comes on unexpectedly:
- Other Vehicles Or Objects In The Blind Spot: The BSM system is designed to detect vehicles or objects in the driver’s blind spot. When it detects such an object, the BSM light will illuminate to alert the driver.
- Malfunction In The System: If there is a malfunction in the BSM system, the BSM light comes on and stays on continuously or blinks. A damaged sensor, wiring issue, or other component failures cause a malfunction.
- Dirty Or Blocked Sensors: The BSM sensors are located on the rear bumper and are obstructed by dirt, snow, or other debris. This makes the system malfunction, and the BSM light alerts the driver.
- Low Battery: If the battery in the Lexus vehicle is low, it causes the BSM system to malfunction, and the BSM light comes on.
- Software Update: A software update to the BSM system sometimes makes the BSM light come on temporarily as the system recalibrates.
Steps to Turn On the Lexus BSM Light
The BSM system in a Lexus vehicle is typically turned on by default, but in case it is turned off, here are the steps to turn on the BSM light:
- Turn on the engine of the Lexus vehicle.
- Locate the BSM button on the dashboard or center console.
- Press the BSM button once to turn on the BSM system. The BSM light on the side mirrors will illuminate to indicate that the system is active.
- If the BSM light does not come on, it indicates a system malfunction, and the Lexus dealership should be contacted for further assistance.
Steps To Turn Off the Lexus BSM Light
While on the road or preparing to go on the road for various reasons, you have to turn off the BSM light. The following are the steps to turn off the BSM light in a Lexus vehicle:
- Turn on the engine of the Lexus vehicle.
- Locate the BSM button on the dashboard or center console.
- Press and hold the BSM button for approximately 3 seconds until the BSM light on the side mirrors turns off.
- The BSM system is now turned off.
Why Should You Turn Off The Lexus BSM Light?
While the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system in a Lexus vehicle is designed to increase safety and reduce the risk of accidents, there are certain situations where a driver wants to turn off the BSM system. Some reasons why a driver turns off the BSM light include the following:
- Driving In Heavy Rain Or Snow: The BSM sensors on the rear bumper become obstructed by heavy rain or snow, causing the BSM system to malfunction and generate false alarms. In such cases, turning off the BSM system prevents unnecessary distractions to the driver.
- Driving On Narrow Roads: On narrow roads, the BSM system detects vehicles passing by too closely and generates false alarms. In such cases, turning off the BSM system creates unnecessary distractions and improves focus on the road ahead.
- Towing A Trailer: When towing a trailer, the BSM sensors on the rear bumper don’t work effectively, causing the BSM system to generate false alarms. Turning off the BSM system prevents unnecessary distractions to the driver.
- Malfunction In The System: If the BSM system is malfunctioning, turning off the BSM system prevents false alarms and improves safety until the system is repaired.
Advantages Of Having Lexus BSM Light
The Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system in a Lexus vehicle has several advantages that significantly improve driving safety. Below are some advantages of having the BSM light:
- Increase In Awareness: The BSM system helps drivers be more aware of their surroundings and objects in their blind spots. This reduces the risk of accidents caused by lane changes or merging maneuvers.
- Avoidance Of Collisions: By alerting drivers of objects in their blind spots, the BSM system avoids collisions with other vehicles or objects on the road.
- Reduced Driver Stress: The BSM system provides an extra layer of safety and alertness, allowing drivers to focus more on the road ahead.
- Improved Confidence: This system helps drivers feel more secure, especially in heavy traffic or on busy highways.
- Improved Safety: The BSM system significantly improves overall driving safety by reducing the risk of accidents caused by blind spots or other factors.
Disadvantages Of the Lexus BSM Light
If you drive a Lexus vehicle equipped with the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system, you may have encountered situations where the BSM light comes on unexpectedly, causing confusion or concern. Here we’ll explore the disadvantages of the Lexus BSM light:
- False Alarms: In some cases, the BSM system generates false alarms, such as when passing parked vehicles or objects not in the driver’s blind spot. This is distracting and causes the driver to lose confidence in the system.
- Limited Range: The BSM system can’t detect objects outside of its detection range or in certain driving conditions, such as heavy rain or snow or when there is glare from the sun.
- Dependence On Technology: Drivers become overly reliant on the BSM system and will not perform regular mirror and blind spot checks, which reduces overall driving safety.
- Cost: Adding the BSM system to a vehicle increases the cost of the vehicle, making it less affordable for some drivers.
- Maintenance: The BSM system requires regular maintenance, such as cleaning the sensors and recalibrating the system, which adds to the cost of ownership.
How to Use the Lexus BSM Light Effectively
Using the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system in a Lexus vehicle improves your driving safety, but like any technology, it requires proper use and maintenance. The following are some helpful tips to ensure you use the BSM system effectively and responsibly on the road:
- Understand The System: Review the owner’s manual and understand how the BSM system works, including its limitations and how to interpret the alerts.
- Use In Conjunction With Regular Mirror And Blind Spot Checks: While the BSM system provides an extra layer of safety, it is important to continue using regular mirror and blind spot checks to ensure that no objects are in your blind spots.
- Keep Sensors Clean: Regularly clean the BSM sensors on the rear bumper to ensure they work properly. Dirt, snow, or other debris obstruct the sensors and cause the system to malfunction.
- Don’t Rely Solely On The System: Remember that the BSM system is just one tool to help you stay safe on the road. It is important to remain alert, focused on the road ahead, and aware of other drivers.
- Follow Safe Driving Practices: The BSM system is not a substitute for safe driving practices, such as using turn signals, following speed limits, and avoiding distractions while driving.
- Turn Off The System If Necessary: If the BSM system generates false alarms or is not working properly, it must be turned off temporarily. However, turning the system back on is important to ensure safe driving.
Final Words
The Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system in a Lexus vehicle is a valuable safety feature that helps drivers stay aware of their surroundings and reduce the risk of accidents caused by blind spots. It is important to understand how the system works and use it with regular mirrors and blind spot checks to ensure safe driving.
While there are potential disadvantages to the BSM system, such as false alarms and dependence on technology, these can be mitigated by following safe driving practices and using the system responsibly. Ultimately, the BSM system is an important tool for improving driving safety and provides numerous advantages for drivers, including increased awareness, avoidance of collisions, reduced stress, improved confidence, and improved safety.
We hope after reading this guide, you now understand the meaning & how to turn on & off Lexus BSM Light. By using the BSM system effectively and responsibly, you can enjoy the benefits of this valuable safety feature and stay safe on the road.
