TexLexRX

keep in mind that it's only on the 2017 model I discovered that when I dropped my 2016 for a 10,000 mile check up and drove a 2017 into my garage only to have the brakes lock up when I got about a foot from the wall ,very cool feature ,wish it was available on the 16 but unfortunately it's not you only get a tone

Bearcat

wish Lexus would let you unlock that feature for some bucks like Tesla does.

lexusss10

Per the system literature, the passing vehicle cannot be going any faster than 18mph. That is indeed very fast if it hits you but I'm not sure "rocketed" is the most accurate adjective. Regardless- glad you are ok and your RX did it's job! Next time though, don't back up if you don't have a clear line of sight. Safety systems are not perfect and can fail at the worse times due to many factors.

bsekf

Someplace in my research before trading up to a 2017, I remember reading that you have to have your seatbelt fastened for the RCTB to apply the brakes. You will get the audio and flash but no brakes if not buckled in. Anybody know for sure?

Bill

lexusss10

I'm not sure but as a good habit, you would want to buckle in anytime the vehicle is moving. It might be less convenient if you are just moving the car around briefly, e.g., in a driveway or parking lot. My Lexus doesn't even chime for about 30 seconds- whereas our Forester chimes incessantly from the get go. I would not understand the logic of the system deactivating under a no buckle condition.

jim256

[QUOTEI would not understand the logic of the system deactivating under a no buckle condition.][/QUOTE] Nothing in the manual indicates the seat belts have any effect, although there are a number of situations or conditions where it may not function. Neither ICS nor RCTA mention seat belts.

lexusss10

Jim- Perhaps you missed it but I was responding to this comment that was in the thread- "I remember reading that you have to have your seatbelt fastened for the RCTB to apply the brakes." I don't claim to know either way- just sharing some thoughts.

Cocal

That was me! It happened to me twice and therefore deduced that you must be buckled up, but then another time the brakes did come on w/o being buckled up, so now I'm more confused than ever.

bsekf

The reason I understooe for the seat belt thing was so you didn't get thrown when the brakes slam on. That made sense, but now Cocal has had a conflicting experience. Hopefully I'll neve find out!

lexusss10

bsekf- I'm sure you would agree that the argument some might make of "Not getting thrown around when the brakes are applied" doesn't pass the test. You would assuredly get thrown far more if the brakes didn't come on and you got hit by a vehicle traveling 15mph! If the system is designed to not apply the brakes if the seat-belt is not on, it's likely a strategic move by Lexus legal, to mitigate some liability that could be attributed solely to the design of their own system. If you get hit by another vehicle, they would have far less exposure. If, as I assume, the airbags would still deploy, again, I see no reason the system would not help avoid the accident in the first place. I am not sure what conditions have to exist for air bag deployment. I always thought the vehicle had to hit a certain speed. Backing out slowly then might not meet those parameters. If that is the case, that parameter should be revisited in situations where they could protect passengers- even if the vehicle is traveling slowly or potentially even stopped.

Safety tech has come a far way in the last 10 years and will continue to improve but it will never replace common sense. I am not a fan of driver-less cars and never will be and I think all phones should have a drive mode that does not allow for distracted driving- which, along with DUI's is a leading cause of many fatal accidents.

jynewjerse

My car's cross traffic warning saved my wife from getting hit by a car and from hitting a person pushing a shopping car. The sudden brake scares us but beats getting into an accident.

golferjack

Last night I was backing out of a parking spot, zx I was watching the person in the next parking spot walk back and forth behind her car. As I was backing out she decicded to get back in her car, and my car did not like it and slamed on the breaks totally stopping the car. Nice feature that really works.