Subaru Forester: 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 light and BSD/ RCTA OFF indicator light are turned off.
• The EyeSight warning indicator is off.
• The vehicle is driven at speeds above 7 mph (12 km/h) (except when reversing).
• The select lever is in the “R” position (when reversing).

The BSD/RCTA will not operate in the following situations.

• The BSD/RCTA OFF indicator light is on.
• The vehicle speed is below 6 mph (10 km/h) even when the BSD/RCTA OFF indicator light remains off (except when reversing).

NOTE

• In the following case, the BSD/RCTA will stop operating and the BSD/RCTA warning light will appear. If the BSD/ RCTA warning light appears, have your vehicle inspected at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
  • When a malfunction occurs in the system, including the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light.
• In the following cases, the BSD/ RCTA will temporarily stop operating (or may stop operating) and the BSD/ RCTA OFF indicator light will appear.
  • When the radar sensor becomes significantly misaligned (If the orientation of the radar sensor 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 radar sensors.
  • 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 long time.
  • When the temperature around the radar sensors increased excessively due to long driving on uphill grades in summer, etc.
  • When the temperature around the radar sensors becomes extremely low.
  • When the vehicle battery voltage lowers.
  • When an overvoltage occurs in the vehicle battery.

  When the above conditions are corrected, the BSD/RCTA will resume operation and the BSD/RCTA OFF indicator light will disappear. However, if the BSD/RCTA OFF indicator light has appeared for a prolonged time, have the system inspected at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

• The detectability of the radar sensors 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 radar sensors is distorted.
  • When ice, snow or mud adheres to the rear bumper surface around the radar sensors.
  • When stickers, etc. are affixed on the areas of the radar sensors on the rear bumper.
  • During adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow or fog
  • When driving on wet roads such as snow-covered roads or through puddles
• The radar sensors may not detect or may have difficulty detecting the following.
  • Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, stationary objects on the road or road side, etc.
  • Vehicles with body shapes that the radar may not reflect (vehicles with a low body height such as sports cars or a trailer with no cargo).
  • 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 radar sensors.)
  • Vehicles traveling at significantly different speeds
  • Vehicles driving parallel to your vehicle at almost the same speed for a prolonged time
  • Oncoming vehicles
  • Vehicles in a lane beyond the neighboring lane
  • Vehicles travelling at a significantly lower speed that 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.
• When the 8-inch audio/navigation system is performing a software update, the RCTA warning icons may not be displayed on the audio/navigation screen until the update is complete.