Mazda Mazda6: Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System - Driving Your Mazda - Mazda6 Owners ManualMazda Mazda6: Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system is designed to assist the driver by monitoring blind spots on both sides of the vehicle to the rear in certain situations such as when changing lanes on roads and freeways.

The BSM system monitors the detection areas on both sides of the vehicle to the rear when the vehicle speed is about 32 km/h (20 mph) or more, and notifies the driver of vehicles in the detection area by illuminating the BSM warning light.

If the turn signal lever is operated in the direction the BSM warning light is illuminated, the system warns the driver of the vehicle in the detection area with a beep sound.

WARNING:

WARNING:

Do not rely completely on the BSM system and be sure to look over your shoulder before changing lanes:

The BSM system can assist the driver in confirming the safety of the surroundings but is not a complete substitute. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes and other maneuvers. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling and the vehicle's surroundings.

NOTE:

- The BSM system does not operate when the vehicle speed is lower than about 32 km/h (20 mph).

- The radar sensors are equipped inside the rear bumper.

- The radar sensors do not detect human, animal, or static objects such as fences. In addition, the system pauses when the selector lever is shifted to the R position. (The system resumes automatically when the selector lever is shifted from the R position.).

- The detectability of the radar sensors has its limitations. The BSM system may not operate properly under the following conditions:

    - Ice, snow, or soil adheres to the rear bumper surface around the radar sensors.

    - During adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow, or under conditions where water is sprayed.

    - The rear bumper area around the radar sensors is blocked by foreign material (such as stickers or a bicycle carrier).

- The radar sensors may not detect all types of vehicles around your vehicle, especially the following types of vehicles:

    - Motorcycles     - Vehicles with body shapes that radar may not reflect such as a flatbed trailer with no cargo.

    - Vehicles with lower body height such as sports cars.

- Have the radar sensors inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer if any shock is applied to the rear bumper, even in a minor accident. If the vehicle is driven with a damaged radar sensor, the system may not operate properly resulting in an accident.

- For repairs or paintwork around the radar sensors, or replacement of the bumper, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

- The radar sensors of the BSM system may be regulated under the radio wave related laws of the country where the vehicle is driven. The sensors in this system are approved for use in the U.S.A.

(including territories), Canada, and Mexico. If a vehicle with a BSM system is driven in a country other than the U.S.A., Canada, or Mexico, the system has to be turned off using the BSM OFF switch.

- The detection area of the system has been determined based on the lane width of general freeways. Therefore on a road with a narrower lane width, the system may detect vehicles on a lane next to the adjacent lane and operate the warning light/beep. On a road with wider lane width, the system may not detect vehicles on the adjacent lane and may not operate the warning light/beep.

- Operation of the warning light/beep may be delayed or the system may not operate the warning light/beep under the following conditions:

    - The vehicle accelerates from a standing-start with a vehicle alongside.

    - A vehicle moves from a lane two lanes over to the adjacent lane.

    - The difference in vehicle speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is larger when passing or being passed, and the vehicle passes the detection area within a short period of time.

    - On a steep incline, or when there is a difference in height between lanes.

    - Immediately after the system has been activated by pressing the BSM OFF switch again after it has been turned off (BSM OFF indicator light in instrument panel illuminates) by pressing the switch.

- Although the system may detect objects on the road side such as parked vehicles or guardrails and operate the warning light/beep, it does not indicate a malfunction.

- If the vehicle is driven on a road with less traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors can detect, the system may pause (The BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument panel flashes).

However, it does not indicate a malfunction.

- The following conditions may affect the visibility of the BSM warning lights on the outside mirror, making it difficult to confirm the illumination of the lights:

    - Ice or snow adheres to the surface of the outside mirrors.

    - The door window glass is tinted.

BSM Warning Light/Beep

BSM warning light

Equipped on the left and right door mirrors.

Equipped on the left and right door mirrors.

This warning light illuminates for a few seconds when the ignition is switched ON.

If the BSM system detects a vehicle in the detection area while the vehicle is driven at a speed of about 32 km/h (20 mph) or more, the BSM warning light illuminates on the side of the vehicle where the rear on-coming vehicle is detected.

NOTE:

- If ice or snow adhere to the outer mirror surface, the BSM warning light may not be visible.

- If the door window glass is tinted, it may affect the visibility of the BSM warning light, making it difficult to confirm the illumination of the light.

BSM warning beep

The warning beep operates when the turn signal lever is operated to the side where the BSM warning light is illuminated.

NOTE:

The system can be personalized so that the BSM warning beep does not operate. Refer to Personalization Features.

BSM OFF Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates for a few seconds when the ignition is switched

This indicator light illuminates for a few seconds when the ignition is switched ON.

The BSM OFF indicator light illuminates when the BSM system is turned off by pressing the BSM OFF switch.

The indicator light flashes if the BSM system has a malfunction. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

NOTE:

If the vehicle is driven on a road with less traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors can detect, the system may pause (The BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument panel flashes). However, it does not indicate a malfunction.

BSM OFF Switch

When the BSM switch is pressed, the BSM system turns off and the BSM OFF indicator

When the BSM switch is pressed, the BSM system turns off and the BSM OFF indicator light illuminates.

Press the BSM OFF switch again to turn on the BSM system. The BSM OFF indicator light turns off.

NOTE:

If the ignition is switched off (LOCK) with the BSM system turned off, the system becomes operable automatically when the ignition is switched ON.

Care of Radar Sensors

The radar sensors are equipped inside the rear bumper.

The radar sensors are equipped inside the rear bumper.

Always keep the bumper surface near the radar sensor area clean so that the BSM system operates normally. Refer to the Exterior Care.

NOTE:

- The BSM OFF indicator light flashes if the radar sensors cannot operate normally. If the light remains flashing after cleaning the bumper surface near the radar sensor area, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

- For repairs or paintwork around the radar sensors, or replacement of the bumper, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Safety Certification

Radiation Hazard

This BSM (blind spot monitoring) device emits intentional electromagnetic radiation in the 24 GHz to 25 GHz frequency range. The total radiated average power over the entire bandwidth is below _14 dBm (40 µW). The active emitting antenna surface is 72 cm2; therefore the radiated power density in front of the BSM device is 0.55 µW/cm2.

This value is far below the legal human exposure protection limit of 1 mW/ cm2(MPE) in Europe and US.

Declaration of compliance for 24 GHz blind spot radar

(U.S.A)

FCC ID: KR5SV2008BSD

This vehicle is equipped with a 24 GHz blind spot monitoring (BSM) radar system, which complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

3. This device may only work when the vehicle is in operation pursuant to § 15. 252 (a) (4).

(CANADA)

ICDCE2008075 (temporary permission until RSS-220 is in force)

This vehicle is equipped with a 24 GHz blind spot monitoring (BSM) radar system, which complies with the (actually draft) RSS-220 standard of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

3. This device may only work when the vehicle is in operation pursuant to RSS-220 5.2 (b)

(MEXICO)

RLVSISV07-725 (duration: June 18, 2008).

Brand: Siemens VDO.

Model: TYPE SV2007 BSD.

NOTE:

During printing time of this user manual the approvals listed below are granted. Further countries may become available or actual certification identifiers may be subject to change or update.

WARNING:

Changes or modifications not expressively approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

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