Sorry, Stupid Q...Blind Spot in 2020

[Thai]

When i was reading about 2020 4runner, i read that 2020 will have PCS and adaptive cruise along with blind spot monitoring (BSM).

Not sure what has happened, but my wife all of a sudden likes 4runner...she has been a CUV fan prior...she currently has MDX.

But, a MUST on our list is BSM. When i look at Toyota.com, i do NOT see 2020 4runner having BSM on any trim levels. Is it true? No BSM in 2020 4runners????

 

[BadTrainDriver]

No BSM on the 4Runner.

 

[jhguth]

$2 stick on convex mirrors will solve any blind spots

 

[Sundy]

There is a mod you can do to install the Rav4 BSM

 

[Daftjungle03]

There is a mod you can do to install the Rav4 BSM

I think that's just for the Rav4 blind spot mirrors, not blind spot monitoring itself. They have a second mirror built in.

 

[csommers]

Honestly, just get the RAV4 little mirrors and adjust your seat properly. Technology is nice and all, but proper technique will never fail.

 

[Thai]

Thanks guys for the responses. Quite disappointed that 2020 4runner has everything EXCEPT that one thing.

But for us, BSM is a must. In my older vehicles, i would get those 2-3" convex mirrors and did well enough. But once you go BSM, going back to the convex mirrors or adjusting your mirrors out is just not as effective.

BSM allows for quick glance, esp in emergency lane change. BSM works when raining when rain would just make side mirrors hard to see. BSM works in fog. BSM works at sunrise/sunset when the sun shines directly into the side mirrors blinding you of side traffic. BSM works when there is a jackass in a lifted truck (who has not properly adjusted his aftermarket HIDs) behind you blinding you.

 

[repo]

You should be aware of what's in your blind spot all the time it's called defensive driving.

 

[Thai]

You should be aware of what's in your blind spot all the time it's called defensive driving.

Yeah ok...thanks for input.

 

[repo]

Yeah ok...thanks for input.

I'm not being snarky the only reason this should be a deal breaker is if you have a neck disability. Send your wife on a defensive driving course. You'll probably even get an insurance discount for it. Check your mirrors every few seconds and dont cruise in other peoples blind spots or let them cruise in yours.

 

[Grape Ape]

If you set your mirrors correctly, you won't have any blindspots. Unfortunately, about 99% of people don't know how to set them correctly.

 

[Thai]

I'm not being snarky the only reason this should be a deal breaker is if you have a neck disability. Send your wife on a defensive driving course. You'll probably even get an insurance discount for it. Check your mirrors every few seconds and dont cruise in other peoples blind spots or let them cruise in yours.

I think some insurances do give discounts for safety techs on cars.

If you set your mirrors correctly, you won't have any blindspots. Unfortunately, about 99% of people don't know how to set them correctly.

While all true......please see my post #7. There are limitations to the old fashion way, which i have used obviously (please note that i am not a newbie)...but even for me, BSM is a requirement these days.

 

[mordotz]

I came from a car that had BSM and recently purchased a 2020 TRDP with none. I was a little disappointed that BSM wasn’t included along with the safety features added for 2020, but it’s really not that bad. The rear view mirrors + excellent visibility out of the windows in the 4Runner is plenty sufficient to stay confident on the road without BSM. If BSM is truly a requirement for you, I’m sure the next gen 4Runner will have it.

 

[Grape Ape]

While all true......please see my post #7. There are limitations to the old fashion way, which i have used obviously (please note that i am not a newbie)...but even for me, BSM is a requirement these days.

The stock mirrors work perfectly fine. From side to side, if adjusted correctly, you should be able to watch a vehicle, person or whatever is passing behind you from a side mirror, into the rear view, into the side mirror with no break in visibility.

I get it though, it's that way with backup cameras, I can't imagine a vehicle without one. There are just things you get used to.

 

[LCFj40]

My wife has to have BSM, so I am going to install this system in my 4runner.
Radar Blind Spot System with Cross Traffic Detection from Brandmotion


Amazon has it for 575 or so.. from what I have read I think this company is vendor Toyota uses for the cars the come with BSM stock. There are some videos on Youtube of the this system and it works just like the one in my wifes Lexus. I planned on getting Rav mirrors that have the indicator on the glass and tapping into the light so its an OEM looking install.

 

[jhguth]

my other car is a volvo, and the cross traffic thing is really helpful backing out of a parking spot, and the other safety features are great, but i just can't see the appeal of the blind spot monitoring system. i can check a mirror just as quickly as checking for the little light (which i end up still checking the mirrors because i don't trust it).

i'm not anti safety features or anti-technology by any means, but specifically for blind spot monitoring i've never seen the appeal despite having had them on multiple cars i've owned. i mean the light is right on the mirror, you have to look at the mirror to see the light so just check your mirror. i just don't trust a little light to replace situational awareness, i don't get it.

 

[JayRunner204]

I just use a RAV4 side mirror works fine I don’t have a blind spot at all

 

[cb1111]

BSM isn't "all seeing" and you certainly cannot rely on it in inclement weather. That said, BSM is an aid in ALL conditions and nothing you should be relying on.

This is one issue with some of these driving aids as we start relying on them too heavily.

The BSM should be a secondary alarm to alert you to something that you may have overlooked and isn't a substitute for proper mirror alignment.

So how do adjust your mirrors properly? It isn't intuitive and a bit unsettling at first. Here are the easy steps:

Adjust your seat and inside mirror. In your normal driving position, you should see equal amounts of the "D" pillar on either side of the back window.

Lean to the left and rest your head against the driver's window. Adjust that mirror until you can just barely see the side of your car.

Lean to the right over the mid point of the center console and adjust the right mirror so that you can just barely see the side of the car.

That eliminates all of the blind spots.

 

[Thai]

BSM isn't "all seeing" and you certainly cannot rely on it in inclement weather. That said, BSM is an aid in ALL conditions and nothing you should be relying on.

This is one issue with some of these driving aids as we start relying on them too heavily.

The BSM should be a secondary alarm to alert you to something that you may have overlooked and isn't a substitute for proper mirror alignment.

So how do adjust your mirrors properly? It isn't intuitive and a bit unsettling at first. Here are the easy steps:

Adjust your seat and inside mirror. In your normal driving position, you should see equal amounts of the "D" pillar on either side of the back window.

Lean to the left and rest your head against the driver's window. Adjust that mirror until you can just barely see the side of your car.

Lean to the right over the mid point of the center console and adjust the right mirror so that you can just barely see the side of the car.

That eliminates all of the blind spots.

But properly adjusted mirrors have limitations too. See my post #7.

 

[Thai]

i mean the light is right on the mirror, you have to look at the mirror to see the light so just check your mirror. i just don't trust a little light to replace situational awareness, i don't get it.

But that's the point of BSM! It works in addition to you looking in the mirror.

Yes, you CAN adjust your mirror correctly (situation awareness) AND have BSM work at the same time.

You can have cake and eat it too.

And that's the beauty of BSM.......old fashion way HAS limitations (see Post #7). BSM eliminates those weakness of the old system withOUT eliminating the old system...it adds to it.