2022 Subaru Outback BSD/RCTA (If Equipped)
BSD/RCTA (If Equipped)
The BSD/RCTA consists of rear corner radars with Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. These functions of BSD/RCTA are the systems that detect objects and vehicles to the rear and draw attention to the driver when changing a lane or when driving in reverse.
WARNING
The driver is responsible for driving safely. Always be sure to check the surroundings with your eyes when changing lanes or reversing the vehicle.
The system is designed to assist the driver in changing lanes or reversing safely by monitoring the rear and side areas of the vehicle. However, you cannot rely on this system alone in assuring the safety during a lane change or reversing. Overconfidence in this system could result in an accident and lead to serious injury or death. Since the system operation has various limitations, the flashing or illumination of the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light may be delayed or it may not operate at all even when a vehicle is present in a neighboring lane or approaching from either side. The driver is responsible for paying attention to the rear and side areas of the vehicle.
System Features
BSD/RCTA consists of the following functions.
- To detect a vehicle in a blind spot on an adjacent lane or a vehicle approaching at high speed while driving the vehicle (Blind Spot Detection)
- To detect a vehicle approaching from the right or left while reversing the vehicle (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
The system uses rear corner radars for the following features.
NOTE
The BSD/RCTA radar sensor has been certified by the radio wave related laws of the U.S. and other FCC compliant countries, Canada and Mexico. When driving in other countries, certification of the country where the vehicle is driven must be obtained. For certification in the U.S. and other FCC compliant countries, Canada and Mexico, refer to “Certification for the BSD/ RCTA” FP395.
Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
- Operating range
The system notifies the driver of the presence of vehicles in its blind spot.
- If the system detects a vehicle in its blind spot, it warns the driver by illuminating the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light (s) on the outside mirror(s).
- If the driver operates the turn signal lever in the direction where the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light is illuminating, the system warns the driver of dangers by flashing the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light.
Lane Change Assist (LCA)
- Operating range
The system notifies the driver of vehicles approaching at a high speed in the neighboring lanes.
- If the system detects a vehicle approaching at a high speed in the neighboring lanes, it warns the driver of dangers by illuminating the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light(s) on the outside mirror(s).
- If the driver operates the turn signal lever in the direction where the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light is illuminating, the system warns the driver of dangers by flashing the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Operating range
The system notifies the driver of another vehicle approaching from either side when driving in reverse. This feature helps the driver check the rear and side areas of the vehicle when moving backward. If the system detects a vehicle approaching from either side while moving backward, it warns the driver of dangers in the following way
- The BSD/RCTA approach indicator light(s) on the outside mirror(s) flashes.
- A warning buzzer sounds.
- An icon appears on the center information display.
Limitations of the detectability of RCTA
Since the detectability of RCTA is limited, the RCTA may not operate properly in angled parking.
Example 1
- The detection range of the rear corner radars
- Area out of detection range of the rear corner radars
A) Vehicle that may not be detected
B) Parked vehicle
WARNING
An approaching vehicle (A) may not be detected because the detection range is limited by the parked vehicle (B). Always be sure to check the surroundings with your eyes when reversing the vehicle.
Example 2
- The detection range of the rear corner radars
C). Vehicle that may be detected
NOTE
The system may detect that a vehicle (C) is passing in front of your vehicle. Always be sure to check the surroundings with your eyes when reversing the vehicle.
System Operation
Operating conditions
The BSD/RCTA will operate when all of the following conditions are met.
- The ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
- The BSD/RCTA warning indicator and BSD/RCTA OFF indicator are turned off.
- The vehicle is driven at speeds above 7 mph (12 km/h) (except when reversing).
- The select lever is in the “R” position (RCTA only).
The BSD/RCTA will not operate in the following situations.
- The BSD/RCTA OFF indicator appears.
- The vehicle speed is below 6 mph (10 km/h) even when the BSD/RCTA OFF indicator does not appear (except when reversing).
NOTE
- In the following cases, the BSD/RCTA will stop operating and the BSD/ RCTA warning indicator will appear.
- When a malfunction occurs in the system, including the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
- If the BSD/RCTA warning indicator appears, exercise proper caution. For details, refer to “BSD/RCTA Warning Indicator” FP394.
- In the following cases, the BSD/RCTA will temporarily stop operating (or may stop operating) and the BSD/ RCTA OFF indicator will appear.
- When the rear corner radars become significantly misaligned (If the orientation of the rear corner radars is shifted for any reason, readjustment is required. Have the sensor adjusted at a SUBARU dealer.)
- When a large amount of snow or ice sticks to the rear bumper surface around the rear corner radars
- When the vehicle is driven on a snow-covered road or in an environment in which there are no objects around (such as in a desert) for a prolonged period of time
- When the temperature around the rear corner radars increases excessively due to long driving on uphill grades in the summer, etc.
- When the temperature around the rear corner radars becomes extremely low
- When the vehicle battery voltage lowers
- When the vehicle voltage exceeds the battery voltage rating.
The BSD/RCTA will resume operation once these conditions are corrected, and the BSD/RCTA OFF indicator will disappear. However, if the BSD/RCTA OFF indicator appears for a prolonged period of time, have the system inspected at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. - The detectability of the rear corner radars is restricted. The BSD/RCTA detection may be impaired and the system may not operate properly under the following conditions.
- When the rear bumper around the rear corner radars is distorted
- When ice, snow or mud adheres to the rear bumper surface around the rear corner radars
- When stickers, etc. are affixed on the areas of the rear corner radars on the rear bumper
- During adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow or fog
- When driving on wet roads such as snow-covered roads and through puddles
- The rear corner radars may not detect or may have difficulty detecting the following vehicles and objects.
- Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, stationary objects on the road or roadside, etc.
- Vehicles with body shapes that the radar may not reflect (vehicles with lower body height such as a trailer with no cargo and sports cars)
- Vehicles that are not approaching your vehicle even though they are in the detection area (either on a neighboring lane to the rear or beside your vehicle when reversing)
(The system determines the presence of approaching vehicles based on data detected by the rear corner radars.) - Vehicles traveling at significantly different speeds
- Vehicles driving in parallel at almost the same speed as your vehicle for a prolonged time
- Oncoming vehicles
- Vehicles in a lane beyond the neighboring lane
- Vehicles traveling at a significantly lower speed than you are trying to overtake
- On a road with extremely narrow lanes, the system may detect vehicles driving in a lane next to the neighboring lane.
BSD/RCTA Approach Indicator Light/Warning Buzzer
While the BSD/RCTA is active, the following item(s) will operate to alert the driver:
- The BSD/RCTA approach indicator light (when there are vehicles in the neighboring lanes).
- The BSD/RCTA approach indicator light and warning buzzer (when a vehicle is approaching from the left or right side while your vehicle is reversing)
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
It is mounted on each side of the outside mirrors. The indicator light will illuminate when a vehicle approaching from behind is detected. The indicator light will flash to warn the driver of dangers under the following conditions.
- While the indicator light is illuminating, if the turn signal lever is operated toward the side in which this light turned on
- When reversing the vehicle while thesystem detects a vehicle approaching from either side.
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light dimming function
When the headlights are turned on, the brightness of the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light will be reduced.
NOTE
- You may have difficulty seeing the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light under the following conditions.
- When sunlight shines directly on it
- When the headlight beams from a vehicle traveling behind shines directly on it . While the illumination brightness control dial is in the fully upward position, even if the headlights are turned on, the brightness of the BSD/ RCTA approach indicator light will not be reduced. For details about the illumination brightness control dial, refer to “Illumination Brightness Control” FP177.
BSD/RCTA approach warning buzzer (only when reversing)
A warning buzzer sounds along with flashing of the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light to warn the driver of dangers. The setting of the warning buzzer volume can be changed by operating the center information display. For details, refer to “Car settings” FP223 (11.6-inch display models).
Safety tips regarding the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light/warning buzzer
- In the following cases, the operation of the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light and the warning buzzer may be delayed or the system may fail to issue these warnings.
- When a vehicle moves to the neighboring lane from a lane next to the neighboring lane
- When driving on a steep incline or on repeated sharp uphill and downhill grades
- When going beyond a pass
- When both your vehicle and a vehicle driving on a neighboring lane are driving on the far side of each lane.
- When several narrowly-spaced vehicles are approaching in a row
- In low radius bends (tight bends or when making turns at an intersection)
- When there is a difference in height between your lane and the neighboring lane
- Immediately after the BSD/RCTA is activated by touching “BSD/RCTA”
- Immediately after the select lever is shifted to the “R” position
- When extremely heavy cargo is loaded in the trunk or cargo area
- During reversing, the operation of the BSD/ RCTA approach indicator light and the warning buzzer may be delayed or the system may fail to issue these warnings under the following conditions.
- When backing out of an angled parking space
- When a large-sized vehicle is parked next to your vehicle (That vehicle prevents the propagation of radar waves.)
- When reversing on sloped roads
- When reversing at a high speed
- The BSD/RCTA approach indicator light may illuminate when driving close to solid objects on the road or road side (such as guardrails, tunnels and sidewalls).
- When turning at an intersection in urban areas, or a multilane intersection, the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light may flash.
- If a building or a wall exists in the reversing direction, the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light may flash and the warning buzzer may sound.
- In the following cases, the system may detect a vehicle driving two lanes away from your vehicle.
- When your vehicle drives on the near side of its lane from the corresponding vehicle
- When the vehicle driving two lanes away drives on the near side of its lane from your vehicle.
BSD/RCTA OFF Indicator
System temporary stops
- BSD/RCTA temporary stop message
- BSD/RCTA OFF indicator
This display appears when the system is used at extremely high or low temperatures or when abnormal voltage exists. Once these conditions are corrected, the system will recover from the temporary stop condition and the indicator will disappear. If the indicator remains displayed for a prolonged time, have the system inspected at a SUBARU dealer.
System temporary stops due to reduced radar sensitivity
- BSD/RCTA temporary stop message due to reduced radar sensitivity
- BSD/RCTA OFF indicator
This display appears when the detectability of the rear corner radars is reduced. Once the condition is corrected, the system will recover from the temporary stop condition and the indicator will disappear. If the indicator remains displayed for a prolonged time, have the system inspected at a SUBARU dealer.
BSD/RCTA Warning Indicator
System malfunction
- BSD/RCTA malfunction message
- At first, this message will appear
- Then this message will appear
- BSD/RCTA warning indicator
This display appears when a malfunction occurs in the system. Contact a SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected.
To Turn On/Off the BSD/RCTA
To turn the BSD/RCTA system on and off, operate the center information display. Refer to “Car settings” FP223 (11.6-inch display models). When the BSD/RCTA system is turned OFF, the BSD/RCTA OFF indicator on the combination meter display (color LCD) will illuminate.
NOTE
- In the following cases, turn off the BSD/RCTA system. The system may not operate properly due to blocked radar waves.
- When towing a trailer (Outback/Subaru Outback Wilderness)
- When a bicycle carrier or other item is fitted to the rear of the vehicle
- When using a chassis dynamometer or free roller device, etc.
- When running the engine and making the wheels rotate while lifting up the vehicle
- If the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position, the last known status of the system is maintained. For example, if the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position with the BSD/RCTA deactivated, the BSD/RCTA remains deactivated the next time the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.
Certification for the BSD/ RCTA
- The U.S. and other FCC compliant countries caution
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 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.
Canada-spec. models
This device contains licence-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada’s license-exempt RSS(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Radiofrequency radiation exposure information: This equipment complies with radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body.
Handling of Rear Corner Radars
The rear corner radars, one on each side of the vehicle, are mounted inside the rear bumper.
CAUTION
To ensure correct operation of the BSD/RCTA, observe the following precautions.
- Always keep the bumper surface near the rear corner radars clean.
- Do not affix any stickers or other items on the bumper surface near the rear corner radars. For details, consult your SUBARU dealer.
- Do not modify the bumper near the rear corner radars.
- Do not paint the bumper near the rear corner radars.
- Do not expose the bumper near the rear corner radars to strong impacts. If a sensor becomes misaligned, a system malfunction may occur, including the inability to detect vehicles entering the detection areas. If any strong shock is applied to the bumper, be sure to contact your SUBARU dealer for inspection.
- Do not disassemble the rear corner radars.
NOTE
If the rear corner radars require repair or replacement, or the bumper area around the rear corner radars requires repair, paintwork or replacement, contact your SUBARU dealer for assistance.