Blind Spot Monitoring system (BSM)

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system helps the driver check the areas on both sides of the rear of the vehicle when changing lanes, and warns the driver of vehicles approaching from behind in adjacent lanes.

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects vehicles approaching from behind when driving forward at 30 km/h or higher, and depending on the circumstances, illuminates the BSM warning lights in the outside mirrors. When the turn signal is activated to signal a lane change toward the side where the BSM warning light is illuminated, the system warns the driver that a vehicle has been detected in the monitored area by illuminating the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light and sounding a warning signal.

The area monitored by the system includes the lanes on both sides of the vehicle and a section from the rear part of the front doors to approximately 50 m behind the vehicle.

WARNING

Always check visually around the vehicle before changing lanes. This system is only intended to assist the driver in checking for vehicles approaching from behind when changing lanes.

Due to certain limitations of this system, the BSM warning light may not flash, or its flashing may be delayed, even if a vehicle is in the adjacent lane. As the driver, you must always check the surroundings of the vehicle yourself.

CAUTION

The BSM system will operate when all of the following conditions are met:

• The ignition switch is in the ON position.

• The BSM switch has been pressed and the BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster has gone out.

• The vehicle speed is approximately 30 km/h or higher.

The BSM system will not operate in the following circumstances.

• When the vehicle speed drops below approximately 25 km/h, even if the BSM OFF indicator light is off.

• When the shift lever (manual transmission) / selector lever (automatic transmission) is in reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.

Under the following circumstances, the BSM OFF indicator light illuminates and system operation is stopped. If the BSM OFF indicator light stays on, have the vehicle inspected.

We recommend an authorized Mazda dealer.

• A problem has been detected with the BSM system and the BSM warning lights.

• The installation position of the rear radar sensor has shifted significantly.

• A large amount of snow or ice has built up near the rear radar sensor. Remove any snow, ice or mud from the rear bumper.

• Driving for an extended period on snow-covered roads.

• The temperature near the rear radar sensors has reached an excessively high range due to extended driving on hills in summer.

• The battery voltage has dropped.

Under the following circumstances, the rear radar sensors may not be able to detect objects, or detection may be impaired.

• A vehicle is in the monitored area behind you and in the adjacent lane, but is not approaching. The BSM system determines this condition based on data detected by the radar.

• A vehicle is driving right alongside your vehicle and moving at almost the same speed for an extended period.

• Vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

• A vehicle in the adjacent lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.

• A vehicle is in an adjacent lane that is very wide. The area monitored by the rear radar sensors is set for a road of standard width used on expressways.

Under the following circumstances, the BSM warning lights and warning buzzer may not activate, or may be delayed.

• A vehicle is changing lanes from a lane two lanes away from the adjacent lane.

• Driving on steep grades.

• Driving over the crest of a hill or a mountain pass.

• The turning radius is small (driving through a sharp curve, turning at intersections).

• When there is a difference in height between your lane and the adjacent lane.

• Immediately after the BSM switch is pressed and the system starts operating.

If the road is very narrow, vehicles two lanes away may be detected. The area monitored by the rear radar sensors is set for a road of standard width used on expressways.

The BSM warning lights may illuminate in response to stationary objects on or beside the road, such as guardrails, tunnels, sound barriers or parked vehicles.

• The BSM warning light may flash or the BSM warning buzzer may sound several times when turning at an intersection in the city.

• Turn off the BSM system when towing a trailer or when a bicycle carrier or other accessory is installed on the rear of the vehicle.

  Otherwise, the radio waves from the radar sensor will be blocked, causing the system to malfunction.

Under the following circumstances, it may be difficult to notice the illuminated/flashing BSM warning lights in the outside rear view mirrors.

• Snow or ice adhering to the surface of the mirrors.

• The front door window is fogged up or covered with snow, frost or dirt.

This system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system when the shift lever (manual transmission) or selector lever (automatic transmission) is placed in reverse (R).

See the "Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System" section on page 4-119.

BSM Warning Lights / BSM Warning Buzzer

When operating, the BSM or RCTA system alerts the driver to vehicles in adjacent lanes behind the vehicle using the BSM warning lights and the BSM warning buzzer.

BSM Warning Lights

The BSM warning lights are built into the left and right outside rear view mirrors. The warning lights illuminate when a vehicle approaching from behind is detected in an adjacent lane.

The warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, then goes off after a few seconds.

Driving Forward (Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) System Operation)

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects vehicles approaching from behind your vehicle and, depending on the situation, illuminates the BSM warning lights in the outside mirrors. In addition, if the BSM warning light is on and you turn on the turn signal to indicate a turn toward that side, the BSM warning light will start to flash.

Reversing (Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) Operation)

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and right sides of your vehicle. In such a situation, the BSM warning lights start to flash.

Warning Light Dimmer Off Function

When the light switch is in theor
, the brightness of the BSM warning lights
is dimmed.

If the BSM warning lights are difficult to see due to strong ambient light, such as when driving on snow-covered roads or in fog, press the dimmer off button to increase the brightness of the illuminated BSM warning lights.

See "Instrument Cluster Illumination" on page 4-34.

BSM Warning Sound

The BSM warning sound is emitted when the BSM warning light flashes.

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System Off Indicator Light

The warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, then goes off after a few seconds.

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System Off indicator light comes on when the BSM switch is pressed to turn off the BSM system, and also turns off the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system.

A malfunction in the system may be indicated under the following conditions. Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Mazda dealer.

• The light does not come on when the ignition is switched to ON.
• Remains on even when the BSM switch is pressed.
• Comes on while driving.

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Switch

When the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch is pressed, the BSM and RCTA systems are turned off, and the BSM System Off indicator light comes on in the instrument cluster.

Pressing the switch again turns on the BSM and RCTA systems, and the BSM System Off indicator light turns off.

CAUTION

• When the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, the state of the systems before the ignition was turned off is retained. For example, if the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position while the BSM and RCTA systems are operating, they will continue to operate after the ignition switch is turned back to the ON position.

• The BSM and RCTA systems are turned off after the battery is disconnected, for example, when the battery terminals or fuses are disconnected and reconnected. To turn the BSM and RCTA systems back on, press the BSM switch.