2014 Lexus LS 460 - Observation on safety

I have not so much a question, but an observation. It is overwhelmingly comforting to drive today’s modern vehicles with the tremendously improved safety features, backup cameras, rear crossing warnings, and especially blind spot warning. As an older driver with stiff neck, it is no longer easy to quickly check left and right before changing lanes, and even if it was possible, there might be someone in the blind spot. I have become totally reliant on that safety feature in my 2014 Lexus. My concern is that more than once after having my car washed at a total service car wash, the blind spot warning on/off switch was accidentally turned off while the attendant was cleaning the interior of the car. Without checking the switch, and totally relying on the feature, I have almost changed lanes when it was not safe to do so after a car wash. My reccomendation is to either eliminate the switch or put a guard over it. Thank you for your time and consideration. Love your column. O.K. Lewis, San Antonio, Tx.

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You just check switches and mirror settings and other things after someone has used your vehicle

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There is a BSM indicator light in the instrument cluster to confirm that the monitor is on.

I see another problem here . . .

op has become so reliant on these safety features, that if they were to drive in a car that doesn’t have them, they might not be a safe driver. A rental car, a friend’s car, etc. . . .

These safety features are supposed to ASSIST you, not take the place of actually looking to see if there’s somebody behind you, next to you, in your blind spot, or what have you

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O.K., I recently interviewed a doctor about the safety features in modern cars and BSM was one that he spoke about. He mentioned the neck issue is very common and I had not previously heard of that. If interested, here is the story.

If you rely on this system to that extent, then you need to get in the habit of checking it every time you start the car. Keep in mind that you’re not using the system as it’s designed, which is to be a secondary check after you’ve looked with your eyes, so you can’t really expect the manufacturer to handle this situation. In fact, I’m somewhat worried that you’ll hit a motorcycle this way, as I’m not sure they’re always detected as reliably as a car.

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It’s also important to properly set the side view mirrors if you have limited neck motion. They can be set so that it is fairly easy to see the blind spots versus viewing cars behind you…

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Good observation. Hopefully somebody from Lexus/Toyota will pass it on to the folks who sift throught this sort of customer feedback at Lexus corporate. You can always write to the Lexus USA chief honcho of course. Google tells me that person is

David Price, VP, Lexus
P.O. Box 259001 - Mail Drop E3-2D
PLANO, TX 75025-9001

If you snail mail a short one page letter with your name and address and signature, Mr Price will almost certainly read it.

There are dozens of switches in the LS460, the operator is responsible for there positions.

Contact the U.S Lexus Vise President of Lexus? His secretary would invite you to visit your Lexus dealer to switch the BSM on and while you are there you can view the 2019 LS500.

People call dealers every day to complain about something like the the “AFS off” light on in the instrument cluster. They are told to push the AFS switch and the Active Front Lighting System will be on. Some owners have difficulty with this and have a dealer employee do this for them.