Blind Spot Monitors - the feature that cries, "Wolf!" once too often?

[flyingpylon]

Yup approach speed is a factor and this is described in the manual.

Anyone else have it go off when you’re in a multi lane turn intersection?

I've had this happen a few times.

In general I agree that the BSM alert distance can seem too long at times and it can be disconcerting to have it beep at you when changing lanes in heavy traffic. However, I have also had it warn me when a vehicle was rapidly approaching on my left and then I was very glad to have that extra cushion. When passing others in light traffic, I use it as a gauge to ensure that I allow a good safe distance before moving back over.

In the end I'm happy to have an additional tool available to make driving safer. I certainly don't rely on it exclusively, all of this stuff is new to me. In fact I'm still having to remind myself that I have a backup camera.

 

[Puyapim]

Technology like this is to assist not replace what we are supposed to do

[emoji1303][emoji1303][emoji1303]

 

[jthj]

Yup it’s there to warn you when you might miss something. And agree I’m glad we have it. I think the OP point is if it goes off too much people will ignore it or turn it off. I know the brake assist or whatever they call it on the CRV according to a co-worker is really hyper active so she turned it off.... the it’s doing 0 good. I feel Mazda got it right on brake assist and lane keep.

 

[Iwannacx5]

The reason my CX-5 is in the body shop is because someone was trusting their backup sensors too much....... got backed into whilst parked. It was my sisters father in law driving a Navigator....... his excuse the thing didn’t beep.......

I've noticed this as well, that the backup sensors do not alert to anything behind the car that is stationary. I've almost backed into our trash can too many times after my husband has set it at the end of the driveway. Maybe that's how it is designed (to only alert to things that are actually moving) but many people don't realize this and rely on the beeping to stop them. I have fortunately learned this the easy way instead of the hard way!

PS, I know we are talking about the BSM here, but thought I would chime in on how some people rely on these sensors way too much and expect the car to stop them from doing something stupid. Me included.

 

[jthj]

The rear cross traffic alert only picks up moving things I believe. To detect stationary objects you need parking distance sensors which North American CX-5s don’t get currently. Hopefully soon we will. Some feel it’s not needed with the camera.

 

[7eregrine]

Yea. The rear traffic alert just warns you if something could hit you when you back up moving at you from either direction.
A feature I didn't know I must have until I had it.
Seems to be a lot of confusion about this feature. Saw a similar question on Reddit. Are dealers not showing people those features? Mine did.

 

[Puyapim]

I've noticed this as well, that the backup sensors do not alert to anything behind the car that is stationary. I've almost backed into our trash can too many times after my husband has set it at the end of the driveway. Maybe that's how it is designed (to only alert to things that are actually moving) but many people don't realize this and rely on the beeping to stop them. I have fortunately learned this the easy way instead of the hard way!

PS, I know we are talking about the BSM here, but thought I would chime in on how some people rely on these sensors way too much and expect the car to stop them from doing something stupid. Me included.

The Mk1 eyeball has proven itself to be the best alert device in the car.

 

[dunhillmc]

I've noticed this as well, that the backup sensors do not alert to anything behind the car that is stationary. I've almost backed into our trash can too many times after my husband has set it at the end of the driveway. Maybe that's how it is designed (to only alert to things that are actually moving) but many people don't realize this and rely on the beeping to stop them. I have fortunately learned this the easy way instead of the hard way!

PS, I know we are talking about the BSM here, but thought I would chime in on how some people rely on these sensors way too much and expect the car to stop them from doing something stupid. Me included.

The cross traffic sensors are different from the parking sensors which are available as an add-on accessory

 

[Xeler8ing]

I don't think that's it. Even in the litigious USA I sincerely doubt any kind of litigation towards Mazda (or any car company) over a failure to have BSM properly notify you thereby causing an accident would be remotely successful.

I wouldn't rule it out.

 

[dougal]

The blind spot monitor system in the 2017 and up models are more advanced over the 2016 and below models. I didn't read Anchorman's PDF but it might be saying the same thing. Basically what I have noticed is that the BSM in my 2016 CX-5 and 2013 Mazdaspeed3 functions the same way. Above 18-20 mph it will activate if there is car in your blind spot. The blind spot detection range is reasonable.

In the 2017 CX-5 that my parents have, the blind spot detection range has been increased significantly. Now if there is a car that is quickly approaching you from behind, the blind spot monitor system will alert you earlier. So say you were going the speed limit (60 mph) and you wanted to change lanes. Another car in the left lane is going 80 mph and is fast approaching you from behind. The BSM will alert you earlier in this situation so you don't change lane into a speeding car.

Actually sounds like a nice feature and logical.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Better safe than sorry!

 

[finch204]

Actually sounds like a nice feature and logical.

I like the idea, yes. The first few times it happened to me, I was a little confused as I was pretty sure there was no one close on the next lane, but the BSM was beeping. It made me do a 2nd or 3rd shoulder check just to be sure. After I understood what it was doing, I have since adjusted. I actually like that it forces me to do a second shoulder check just to be sure.

 

[7eregrine]

I wouldn't rule it out.

Work at law firm. I've seen more then my share of BS suits. Car companies are very disclaimered up on the assistive tech. I doubt you'd even find an attorney willing to take that case.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Fair enough but there are some "bottom feeder/ambulance chaser" firms here who might give it a go

 

[Anchorman]

Actually, the pdfs for the pre 17 (KE Model) suggests that the monitoring distances are the same.............

 

[ceric]

I have '17 CX5 and '16 Mazda6 that I drive interchangeably.
The '17 CX5 definitely has longer range within which it warns/beeps than the '16.
Blind spot detection range definitely so, but not sure about cross-traffic range.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Improvements in technology

 

[7eregrine]

"Improvement" in technology. Forgot the quotes.
A bit more sibling rivalry between old gen and new gen.
I've never seen anyone on OG complain about the range. Either to short or too long. That's because it's "just right".
I've never had anyone close in on my blind spot so fast that it caused any issue at all. Y'all are just trying to make yoursleves not hate it. Admit it... it's too broad.

 

[Bergz1184]

"Improvement" in technology. Forgot the quotes.
A bit more sibling rivalry between old gen and new gen.
I've never seen anyone on OG complain about the range. Either to short or too long. That's because it's "just right".
I've never had anyone close in on my blind spot so fast that it caused any issue at all. Y'all are just trying to make yoursleves not hate it. Admit it... it's too broad.

Ha ha I love this forum, even when ya'll get a little grumpy. (silly) With that said, coming from a 16 to a 17 (Gen1 to Gen2) I appreciate the improvements they have made in the monitoring. I never had issues with my 16, it also alerted me to down low things in my blind spot that were close (road cones, jersey walls, etc.) and I have had no issues with the monitoring in the 17. If nothing else, we're all victims of complacency, it's natural when you drive the same routes among the same traffic everyday. This does help give you a reminder, hey look over here first, and it doesn't irritate me when I can plainly see the full car is out of my way, just a helpful alert, I also love how they've incorporated it into the trip computer/HUD as well. But these are just my own observations, everyone is different. I do not feel it is too broad, it's just right to me.

 

[7eregrine]

I do wish I had a HUD. Beyond jealous of that...