The Mazda 3 isn’t just eye-catching and super stylish; it also has plenty of great features to keep you safe on the road, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and brake support and lane departure warning and lane keep assist.
One feature many drivers wonder about, though, is blind spot monitoring. Does the 2022 Mazda 3 have this? If so, how does it work?
Let’s take a closer look at the sedan’s blind spot monitoring system so you can determine whether it will work well with your driving style.
Does Mazda 3 Have Blind Spot Monitoring? Everything You Need to Know
The 2022 Mazda 3 has a blind spot monitoring system, which is a safety feature that helps drivers detect other cars in the driver’s blind spots and reduce blind spot collisions.
This system 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.
When BSM detects an object or vehicle in your blind spot, the outer side turn signal will flash and an audible warning beep will sound for eight seconds if you continue to move forward or change lanes to that side.
If you are already driving straight ahead and BSM detects an object or vehicle, there may not be any audible warning.
What is Mazda Blind Spot Monitoring?
The idea behind blind spot monitoring is that it allows drivers to have more visual awareness while they’re driving, especially when they need to change lanes.
This particular feature is designed for left lane changes only, though some models can also detect cars coming from the right or straight ahead.
There are a few different ways that Mazda’s BSM works; on some Mazda models, there will be an indicator light in the instrument cluster of your car that tells you when there are vehicles nearby.
Other Mazda models will use sensors and camera technology on both sides of your vehicle to provide the driver with information about what’s going on around them.
Regardless of how it works, this safety feature has been found to reduce collisions by as much as 11%.
How good is Blind Spot Monitoring Mazda 3?
According to Kelley Blue Book, a driver’s blind spot is the area to either side of the vehicle, where a person in another car cannot see them.
The most common cause of accidents for drivers are those related to their blind spots and/or someone else’s.
With this in mind, automakers will often equip their new Mazda car models with safety technology known as blind spot monitoring systems that help reduce accidents caused by misjudging distances.
How does Mazda 3 Blind Spot Monitoring work?
The Mazda blind spot monitoring system works by using an infrared camera mounted near the rear-view mirror to monitor the driver’s blind spots.
When a vehicle enters a driver’s blind spot, the information is relayed to the driver via audible and visual alerts.
The system can also detect when there are no cars in your blind spot and cancels out any warnings or signals it would have given you.
If the BSM warning light is flashing and/or an alarm sounds, that means that one of the following has occurred:
- The driver’s door is open while driving.
- A foreign object (e.g., an insect) is blocking the sensor lens on the inside edge of one of your taillights.
- A foreign object (e.g., an insect) has blocked both sensors at one time.
Mazda 3 has been updated with newer technology so that there will be fewer false alarms because of things like insects getting stuck to the sensor lens.
In this situation, all you need to do is take the car for a drive and if the problem persists then Mazda will fix it for free.
Mazda’s new system still provides drivers with all of the safety benefits without being too sensitive to small issues.
How do you turn on Blind Spot Monitoring on a Mazda?
How to enable Blind Spot Monitoring on Mazda:
- The ignition is switched ON.
- The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch is pressed and the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indication/indicator light in the instrument cluster is turned off.
- The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster.
What Are the Conditions That Need to Be Met for BSM to Operate?
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.
BSM detects if you have a vehicle in your blind spot on either side and warns you if someone enters or exits their lane without signaling.
If necessary, it will provide an audible warning and alert icon on the instrument panel for a limited time to draw your attention to the vehicle at risk. The system also gives visual warnings with LEDs that appear near the exterior mirror housings.
The BSM operates by using radar sensors that detect approaching vehicles as well as if they are changing lanes.
These sensors are located behind the headlamps and near the rear bumper on both sides of the Mazda 3 hatchback.
In order to maintain full functionality, these sensors require regular cleaning with water or alcohol wipes only. Avoid using any abrasive cleaners because they can damage your sensors over time.
Is there anything else I should know about BSM?
The Mazda3’s Blind Spot Monitoring system only works when the vehicle is in reverse, and if the driver places the turn signal on.
The BSM light will illuminate when an object is detected on either side of the vehicle. It does not, however, detect pedestrians or bicycles that may be entering your blind spot.
A chime will sound and a message will display on the dashboard when an object enters your blind spot from either side of the car.
If you want to disable this feature while driving, simply press the BSM OFF button located next to the instrument cluster.
Read also: Is Mazda Coming Out With a New SUV?
Conclusion
Blind spot monitoring is an amazing safety feature that can be found on Mazda models. 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, and a Mazda in either lane to the left or right has an icon showing up on the side view mirrors.
BSM monitors objects which are too close to the vehicle for a driver to see them in their mirror, such as vehicles positioned behind you, and warns you if they move into your blind spot while you signal or change lanes.
