Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) (Some Models)

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the rear of the vehicle on both sides during lane changes by notifying the driver of the presence of vehicles approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane.

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) detects vehicles approaching from the rear while travelling in the forward direction at a speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) or faster and notifies the driver by turning on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light and displaying the vehicle detection screen (vehicles with active driving display).

If the direction indicator lever is operated to signal a turn in the direction in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light is illuminated while the approaching vehicle is detected, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) notifies the driver of possible danger by turning on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light, and by activating the warning sound and the warning screen indicator display (vehicles with active driving display).

The detection area on this system covers the driving lanes on both sides of the vehicle and from the rear part of the front doors to about 50 m (164 ft) behind the vehicle.

 


Always check the surrounding area visually before making an actual lane change:

The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at your rear when making a lane change. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light, the warning sound and the warning screen indicator display may not activate or they might be delayed even though a vehicle is in an adjacent driving lane. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the rear.

Close Warning

 


  • The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) will operate when all of the following conditions are met:

    • The ignition is switched ON.

    • The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is turned off.

    • The vehicle speed is about 30 km/h (19 mph) or faster.

  • The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) will not operate under the following circumstances.

    • The vehicle speed falls below about 25 km/h (15 mph) even though the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch indicator light is turned off.

    • The shift lever (manual transaxle)/selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.

  • In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indication/warning light turns on and operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indication/warning light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer as soon as possible.

    • Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights is detected.

    • A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has occurred.

    • There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor (rear). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper.

    • Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.

    • The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving for long periods on slopes during the summer.

    • The battery voltage has decreased.

  • Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it may be difficult to detect them.

    • A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not approach. The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) determines the condition based on radar detection data.

    • A vehicle is travelling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended period of time.

    • Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.

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

    • A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.

  • In the following case, the flashing of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light, and the activation of the warning sound and the warning screen indicator display may not occur or they may be delayed.

    • A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane.

    • Driving on steep slopes.

    • Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.

    • The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections).

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

    • Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch and the system becomes operable.

  • If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected. The detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of expressways.

  • The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light may turn on and the vehicle detection screen may be displayed in the display in reaction to stationary objects (guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls, and parked vehicles) on the road or the roadside.

  • A Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light may flash or the warning beep may be activated several times when making a turn at a city intersection.

  • Turn off the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radar’s radio waves will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.

  • In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors.

    • Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.

    • The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.

  • The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function when the shift lever (manual transaxle) or the selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to the reverse (R) position.

    Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) (Search).

Close Note

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Indicator Lights/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Beep

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) or Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system notifies the driver of the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes or at the rear of the vehicle using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light, the warning sound and the display indicator (vehicles with active driving display) while the systems are operational.

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights are equipped on the left and right door mirrors. The warning indicator lights turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane is detected.

When the ignition is switched ON, the warning indicator light turns on momentarily and then turns off after a few seconds.

Forward driving (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) operation)

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) detects vehicles approaching from the rear and turns on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors according to the conditions. Additionally, while a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light is illuminated, if the direction indicator lever is operated to signal a turn in the direction in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light is illuminated, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light flashes.

Reverse driving (Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operation)

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and right of your vehicle and flashes the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights.

Function for cancelling illumination dimmer

If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights turn on when the position lights are turned on, the brightness of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights is dimmed.

If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights are difficult to see due to glare from surrounding brightness when travelling on snow-covered roads or under foggy conditions, press the dimmer cancellation button to cancel the dimmer and increase the brightness of Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights when they turn on.

Refer to Instrument Panel Illumination (Search).

Display indicator (Vehicles with active driving display)

The detected approaching vehicle and warning are displayed in the active driving display when the vehicle is moving forward (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) operational).

The detected direction is displayed with a detection indicator (white) when an approaching vehicle is detected. In addition, if the direction indicator lever is operated to signal a lane change while the vehicle is detected, the display changes the colour (amber) of the warning indicator.

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning beep

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning beep is activated simultaneously with the flashing of a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light.

Cancelling Operation of Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems are turned off and the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on.

Vehicles with Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch

When the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch is pressed, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems are turned off and the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on.

If the switch is pressed again, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems become operable and the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light turns off.

 


When the ignition is switched OFF, the system status before it was turned off is maintained. For example, if the ignition is switched OFF while the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems are operable, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems remain operable the next time the ignition is switched ON.

Close Note

Vehicles without Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system can be set to inoperable.

Refer to Personalisation Features (Search).

When the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is set to inoperable, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems are turned off and the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on.

 


If the engine is stopped while the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is turned off, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) becomes operable the next time the engine is started.

Close Note