Toyota Highlander (2018 year). Manual - part 77

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

WARNING

■

Handling the radar sensor
Blind Spot Monitor sensors are 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 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 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 color other than an official Toyota 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.

591) will be displayed. In this situation,
clear off the dirt or snow and drive the
vehicle with the operation conditions of
the BSM function (

→P. 322) satisfied for

approximately 10 minutes. If the warn-
ing message does not disappear, have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.

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The BSM function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles that are trav-
eling in an adjacent lane in the area that is 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.

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) for-
ward of the rear bumper

BSM function

BSM function detection areas

1

2

3

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 serious 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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■

The BSM function is operational when
The BSM function is operational when all of the following conditions are met:

●

The BSM function 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 detection area in the fol-
lowing situations:

●

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 traveling 2 lanes away 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 situa-
tions:

• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its

surrounding area

• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is covering the sensor or surround-

ing area on the rear bumper

• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water during bad

weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog

• When multiple vehicles are approaching with 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 consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips

on the road, etc.

• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven

surfaces

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• 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 towing a trailer
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehi-

cle

• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and

the vehicle that enters the detection area

• Immediately after the BSM function 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 strong impact to the sensor or its

surrounding area

• When the distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc. that

enters the detection area is short

• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips

on the road, etc.

• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or when driving on the edge of a lane,

and a vehicle traveling in a lane other than the adjacent 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

• When towing a trailer