Toyota, the world-famous manufacturer of high-quality, high-value cars, vans, and trucks known for setting standards for long-term high-resale value and durability, is doing everything possible to keep drivers safe on the road. One such way they are doing this is by inventing a BSM system—a car safety feature.
Without the BSM system, you will feel uncomfortable controlling your car—there’s no doubt about it. The unsecured feelings grow more and more when driving a big vehicle.
Imagine taking a left turn, and there’s another vehicle coming from the speed lane, and you did not notice it. If your car features the BSM system, the outside mirror will flash a warning light to warn you. That saves you from a road accident. So, what is BSM on Toyota, and how can you use this feature?
What does BSM mean on Toyota dashboard?
To safely change lanes on the road, you need to check your rearview and side mirrors and often look across your shoulder to spot vehicles or bikes coming within close proximity. In some situations, these checks won’t be enough to detect cars, bikes, or pedestrians coming from the car’s blind spot.
Toyota designed the blind spot monitoring (BSM) system to help in these situations by using radar sensors placed on the car’s back bumper. If it detects an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian, it’ll shine a light on the pertinent outside mirror. If the turn signal is illuminated on that side, the BSM light will only flash.
In some settings, the car will give a beeping sound. However, you should keep in mind that the blind spot monitoring system functionality is only available when the detected car or bike is moving above 10 Mph.
Also, remember that BSM Toyota meaning on Toyota Hilux, BSM meaning on Toyota Highlander, and any other Toyota vehicle are the same and work in the same way. Now that you have seen what the system does — how does Toyota BSM work?
How does BSM work?
Toyota engineers mount several safety sensors on the car body to keep drivers safe. The blind spot monitoring system uses these safety sensors to continuously check for oncoming vehicles, bikes, pedestrians, or objects in the vehicle blind spot area. If the sensors detect anything, they will illuminate a yellow light on the pertinent outside mirror.
The BSM has the same function as the RCTA. What’s the RCTA Toyota meaning, anyway? The RCTA stands for rear cross-traffic alert. Once you shift your car to reverse, the system activates automatically and starts using the BSM sensors to detect vehicles approaching from either rear side of the vehicle.
The difference is that the RCTA detects cars coming from either rear end of the car, while the BSM detects cars from the car’s blind spot area. But the RCTA is a topic for another day. Let’s focus on the BSM system.
Once the BSM system detects any object in the car’s blind spot, the light will continue illuminating until you pass the object.
How do I turn off BSM light?
The BSM system is a safety feature that is always on by default. I wonder why you would ever want to turn it off. But if you ever want to, here are the steps to turn off the BSM system.
- Start your Toyota car.
- Locate the BSM function on your center console or driver information center.
- Scroll down and click the OFF option. Some vehicle models may require you to press the button to turn it ON or OFF.
- Once you turn it off, the BSM light on the side mirror and dashboard will disappear.
How do I turn on the BSM light?
If you or someone mistakenly turn off the BSM light, do not panic because you can turn it on with a few clicks of a button. Here are simplified steps to activate the BSM system.
- Start your vehicle
- Locate the BSM function on the dashboard or center console
- Press the BSM button once, and the light will illuminate on the side mirror and the dashboard.
- If the BSM light doesn’t come on, that’s an indication of a system malfunction.
How do I reset my Toyota BSM?
Trust me, it’s quite frustrating and unnerving when those added safety features on our cars that make driving a lot easier and safer stop working. Here’s a simplified process on how to reset a Toyota blind spot monitoring system.
Locate the blind spot motoring sensors. The BSM sensors are usually located on the right or left side of the rear bumper.
Examine the sensor to see if it is covered with mud, dirt, or debris. The rear bumper is prone to getting dirty due to its location. Check the sensors and clear them properly. Take this opportunity to locate and clean other essential sensors on the vehicle body, such as the FCW sensors.
Turn off the vehicle and wait for a minute or two. After that, start the car and leave it for a minute to re-calibrate.
Try a hard reset. If the above steps don’t fix the problem, remove the battery terminals and reconnect that after 15 to 20 minutes.
After completing these steps, the blind spot monitoring system will reboot and reset. But if this doesn’t fix the issue, you may have to visit your Toyota dealership or mechanic to diagnose the sensor.
Is the Toyota blind spot monitor worth it?
Blind spot monitoring system is a great feature that serves as a second eye to drivers by helping them beware of their surroundings. It increases your safety on the road and reduces the chances of getting involved in a road accident. However, it’s still advisable to follow best driving practices and check the blind spot before making a turn or changing lanes.
Can you turn Blind Spot Monitoring off?
You can switch on or off the blind spot monitoring system in the information center. Once you turn off the system, the BSM light on the dashboard and on the side mirror will turn off instantly —indicating that it has been deactivated. Follow the above instructions to deactivate the system.
How much does a blind spot monitor sensor cost?
The blind spot monitor system cost may vary based on your car model. However, if you are looking for a customer-centric and budget-friendly blind spot system, budget around $100 to $350. 100 bucks is fair enough to get that extra eye you need when driving.
What are the disadvantages of a blind-spot monitoring system?
While the blind-spot monitoring system reduces the chances of an accident when changing lanes or making turns, it has its pitfalls. The Toyota blind spot monitor problems may prevent some car owners from upgrading.
The biggest drawback is the BSM’s ability to detect fast-moving cars efficiently. According to a study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the blind spot monitoring system struggles to detect fast-moving vehicles—which can lead to accidents.
Most BSM systems illuminate the warning light on the side mirrors. Hence, it may be difficult for you to notice the warning on time. Also, headlights from oncoming vehicles flashing on the side mirrors at night may hinder you from noticing the warning.
The BSM system may give an audible beeping sound when it detects any object in the blind spot—unfortunately, most of the systems only make the beeping sound when the turn signal is already on.
Final Words
If you have been reading to this point, you already know the BSM Toyota meaning. The blind spot motoring (BSM) system is a safety feature that helps drivers safely change lanes or drive out of parking spots safely.
If you are an expert driver, you can find your way without the blind spot monitoring system, but when backing out of a parking spot, the BSM is damn helpful. It does not only help you know your surroundings, but it also helps when parking or backing out of a parking spot.
However, you must watch your surroundings through the side mirrors, look across your shoulders, and never rely only on the BSM when changing lanes or making turns.
