Lexus BSM Light: Meaning, Potential Problems & Solutions

Are you curious to know what the Lexus BSM light means, its potential usage benefits, what common problems occur, and how to operate it to enhance your safety?

The blind spot monitor (BSM) light is an essential advanced safety feature developed in modern Lexus vehicles to improve driver safety and awareness. The BSM system indicates a light on the dashboard or left and right rear mirrors after detecting a vehicle from driver blind spots to reduce the risk of collision while changing lanes.

In this article, we will delve into everything you need to know about blind spot monitoring lights, their common problem, fixing solutions, their usage’s purpose, the appearance of warning lights on the display, and how you can turn them on and off. So, let’s understand all about BSM.

Lexus BSM Light Meaning

Here is a quick overview of Lexus blind spot monitor light:

The BSM stands for blind spot monitor, and Lexus developed it to prevent accidents and improve driver safety. It detects vehicles in blind spots that a driver can’t see with side mirrors. It uses two radar sensors behind the rear bumper’s left and right corners. 

These radar sensors detect the vehicle and send data to the BSM system, quickly indicating a blinking light on the side mirrors. When you see the flashing light, it alerts you to change lanes safely and prevents collisions or critical accidents. 

Another safety feature, rather than a BSM, is the rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), which helps drivers drive safely on the road, exit from parking, corner, and change lanes. Sometimes, while driving fast, we pay less attention to safe driving and quickly overtake other vehicles without looking left or right sides. But this feature makes you capable of driving fast without hitting any vehicle.

Lexus BSM Problems

However, the BSM system in Lexus vehicles plays a crucial role in keeping the driver and passengers safe. However, you may also encounter some critical problems with the BSM light. Some problems, along with solutions, are described below.

Sensor Malfunctions

Sometimes, after traveling in harsh weather conditions like rain, dirt, and cold, the sensors are covered with dirt, debris, and snow, which leads to malfunctioning. The radar sensors can’t work correctly in such conditions, affecting the Lexus RX350 BSM light indication.

Solutions 

Locate the sensors and regularly clean them to ensure they are working properly and showing no signs of wear.

False Alerts

Sometimes, you may encounter an indication of alert lights in the side mirror even when there’s no vehicle in the blind spots. Environmental factors like rain, snow, dirt, and nearby objects can trigger false alerts. 

Solution 

When you continuously receive false alerts, you can manually inspect the BSM sensors, wiring, and overall condition. If all the components are functioning correctly, you can turn off the engine and, after some time, start it. Hence, your Lexus BSM light problems will be resolved.

Electrical Issues

When any electric component, such as wiring, battery, connectors, and fuses, becomes faulty, it can cause BSM light issues on Lexus. A dead battery, damaged wiring, and malfunctioning components are the main culprits of BSM light problems.

Solutions 

Inspect the condition of electric parts and look for faulty or damaged parts. Replace the faulty component with a new one to fix the BSM light problems on Lexus.

Systematic Issues

Occasionally, technical glitches and systematic issues can affect the BSM system performance. Such issues are normally complex to fix, and you may face difficulties in pinpointing the exact faulty part.

Solutions

Detect the issues with an error code scanner and fix them individually. If you haven’t experienced fixing such issues before, seeking professional help will be a good decision.

Advanced Features Related To BSM

Here’s the breakdown of some advanced features designed in Lexus vehicles to enhance safety and provide a comfortable drive to every Lexus owner.

Feature	Function	Activation	Indicators
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)	Alerts drivers of approaching vehicles from the sides when reversing	Automatically activated in reverse gear	Visual and/or audible alerts
Lane Change Assist (LCA)	Provides additional alerts if a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind during lane changes	Works with BSM to enhance safety	Visual and/or audible alerts

How do you turn the BSM light on and off?

Turning the Lexus BSM light on and off is straightforward, and you can frequently perform it yourself. There are two different ways to turn the Lexus blind spot monitor light on and off, which are explained below.

Through BSM Button

It’s an easy and less time-consuming method that can be performed immediately with the following steps.

• Locate the BSM button: Firstly, find the blind spot monitor button, which is usually located on the left side of the steering wheel.
• Activating the BSM: Secondly, push the BSM button, and you’ll see a green light, which means the blind spot monitoring light is turned on and activated now.
• Deactivating the BSM: To deactivate the BSM, press the button again. The light will disappear from the dashboard, and the system will be deactivated.

Through Multi-Information Display (MID)

With this method, you should spend some time activating or deactivating the BSM light on Lexus.

• Locate the arrows on the right side of your Lexus steering wheel.
• Press the right arrow and go all the way to find the settings.
• Now, scroll down the menu with the help of the bottom arrow and click on the BSM.
• By default, you’ll see the blind spot monitor light is off. To turn it “ON,” press the BSM with the middle button.
• To turn it “OFF,” press again, and you’ll see the symbol is not flashing on the Lexus dashboard.

That’s how you can turn the BSM light on and off.

Lexus BSM Warning Light

You may experience an indication of a Lexus BSM warning light that alerts you about the technical issues in the BSM system. Several causes can trigger the warning light, such as faulty sensors, calibration issues, electrical issues, weather conditions, and interference from other systems.

You need to inspect all these parts individually to look for damage or any signs of wear. After detecting the culprit indicating a warning, fix the issue and optimize its performance.

The Lexus BSM light plays a vital role in your safety while driving on the road where various vehicles are crossing each other. It informs you about blind spot vehicles that cannot see in the side mirror. After understanding what BSM light means, its common issues, how to activate or deactivate it, and its importance, you can get the most out of this excellent driving assistant feature.

Regularly maintaining all the blind spot monitor components and watching the latest software updates for advanced features can significantly contribute to a safer driving experience.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What does the BSM light on my Lexus mean?

The BSM light on your Lexus indicates that the blind spot monitor system is activated and successfully monitors the vehicle in a blind spot that can’t be seen in the side mirrors. If the light stays on and doesn’t turn off, it might be due to sensor issues or false alerts.

How do I know if my Lexus BSM system is turned on?

The BSM symbol flashing in your Lexus dashboard indicates whether the Lexus blind spot monitor system is activated. Additionally, you can locate the BSM button on the left side of the steering wheel and see that it’s blinking with a green light, which means it’s functioning.

Why is my BSM light flashing or not turning off?

Several reasons can cause the BSM light to stay on, including sensor obstructions, electrical faults, and software glitches. After cleaning the sensors and updating the software, check that the issues are resolved. If they persist, then it’s suggested that you consult a professional technician.

Can I fix the Lexus BSM light problems?

Yes, it’s a simple repair or requires any advanced knowledge. With basic mechanical knowledge and a good understanding of using the steering wheel, you can easily fix the Lexus BSM problems yourself, which saves you time and money.