What do BSM and RCTA mean on a car?
3 Answers
BSM on a car refers to the Blind Spot Monitoring system, while RCTA stands for Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Below are detailed introductions to these two systems: Function and application of BSM: When the vehicle speed is 15Km/h or higher, the radar installed inside the rear bumper detects vehicles approaching from the side or rear, and it will illuminate the indicator light on the corresponding side, displayed on the rearview mirror, to alert the driver of vehicles approaching from the diagonal rear. If the turn signal is activated under this condition, the indicator light will flash and an alarm will sound, warning the driver to stop changing lanes. Function and application of RCTA: The RCTA system is designed to assist the driver in checking the areas on both sides of the rear of the vehicle. When reversing, it alerts the driver to any vehicles approaching from behind.
I've just studied these features. BSM stands for Blind Spot Monitoring system, which acts like an invisible assistant while driving by helping you monitor blind spots in the rearview mirrors. There are indicator lights on the side mirrors that flash when vehicles approach from the rear sides. RCTA is the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function, particularly useful in places like mall parking lots – when reversing, if a vehicle crosses horizontally, the central display will pop up an alert accompanied by a beeping sound. Once during rainy weather when my rearview mirrors were completely fogged up, this feature saved me from hitting an electric scooter that darted out. Nowadays, these systems are standard in mid-to-high-end vehicles, and novice drivers should especially pay attention to whether the BSM working indicator light is illuminated on the dashboard.
A friend asked the same question last time. Simply put, BSM acts as your eyes monitoring the side and rear areas. When changing lanes, if there's a vehicle in the blind spot, the small yellow light on the rearview mirror will flash as a warning. RCTA specifically addresses the danger of blind spots when reversing, with the reversing radar and camera automatically detecting vehicles or pedestrians crossing from left or right. My SUV has this feature, and once when I was reversing at the market, the system suddenly sounded an urgent alarm. After stopping, I found a tricycle had just brushed past the rear. I recommend pairing this function with a streaming rearview mirror for better results.
