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Hello all, I'm new to the forum and wanted to ask a question. Is the external back up camera at the rear of the 2013 Lexus RX 350 supposed to retract when not in use? I think it is and mine appears to be stuck in the down position. The back up camera does work in that it displays the image on the screen when we reverse and changes back to normal on the display when in drive, but my husband and I could have sworn that the physical back up camera on the car does not usually stay in the down position when the car is off. Trying to decide if this is a problem or we just never noticed before that the black camera is always visible to the right of the trunk even when the car is not turned on. I would appreciate any input out there. Trying to decide if we need to take it in. The car is only about 1 month old. Thanks!
Welcome to CL, snowhte51. The backup camera is fixed and does not retract. It's normal to see it from behind, albeit barely. Try moving it around. If you can, definitely take it to the dealer.
Thanks for the replies! That's good to know that the camera is supposed to show, but then again it really looks all the way exposed...more like the one on the picture of the Acura so I have to wonder if it is down farther than it originally was before. I guess I can take a picture of it and send it to the dealer and they can tell me whether or not it was always like that. The dealer here is a pretty far drive so hoping to save myself from it unless absolutely necessary.
So funny how sometimes you don't notice things that have always been there. I do remember seeing it before, just not that much. It probably shows more since our car is silver.
Bluetooth has been standard since the '05 RX. As far as nav with back-up camera, I don't think it will happen. Not everyone likes the Lexus system and/or wants to pay for it.
Here's a photo of the backup camera on my 2010 RX350. It is fixed.
Snowhte51, if your camera looks like this, it appears normal to me as well unless it seems loose or isn't attached to the back of your truck. IMHO, the location of the camera on the 2010-13's is not as ideal as in previous gen... Functional? Yes. As esthetically pleasing as it could perhaps be? No.
It's fixed. As others have already mentioned.
And it's a good thing vs a camera that retracts/hides away.
Imagine how many times you'll be in "reverse" in a given week, couple it with the times the rear door has to open and close. There's your recipe for an inconsistent field of view on your monitor. ( too far down, middle or too far up)
Remember the days when the headlights can go up and down ( stowed away)? We don't see that anymore son't we.
I just purchased a 2014 RX350. Upon backing up, I only see the view and not the guides like it shows in the manual. Is there a method to activate the lines?
Bluetooth has been standard since the '05 RX. As far as nav with back-up camera, I don't think it will happen. Not everyone likes the Lexus system and/or wants to pay for it.
Depends where you live.Here in oz all RX (and I think all Lexi) have nav and reverse camera. I for one believe the reverse camera should be mandatory on all cars - there was a little kid seriously injured in Sydney today when his dad didn't see him behind the car.
I just purchased a 2014 RX350. Upon backing up, I only see the view and not the guides like it shows in the manual. Is there a method to activate the lines?
OP, congrats on your new RX.
Not sure which version you have.
There is one (if you don't have Nav) that displays a small camera image in the rear-view mirror -- that's where you're probably seeing "the guidelines" in the manual around p253. From reading the manual myself just now, I see no option to turn the lines on or off. The graphics in the manual would seem to indicate they are always on.
Most people have the version however that displays a larger live picture on the Nav screen (p264 of same manual above) when you put the truck in "R"everse. It unfortunately has never had any guidelines -- at least through 2013 that I have, and the manual for 2014 does not look any different than mine as I just compared them. Many folks here have griped about the lack of guidelines over the years and that other mfgrs provide them.
Worst case, give a call to your dealer. In the Sales Dept, there will be a "Technology Specialist" that should be able to sort out what you have on your RX and help you with how to operate it. Good luck, and welcome again to the forum.
Last edited by BertL; Oct 13, 2013 at 06:01 AM.
Reason: typo/clarity
Most people have the version however that displays a larger live picture on the Nav screen (p264 of same manual above) when you put the truck in "R"everse. It unfortunately has never had any guidelines -- at least through 2013 that I have, and the manual for 2014 does not look any different than mine as I just compared them. Many folks here have griped about the lack of guidelines over the years and that other mfgrs provide them.
That's strange - we've always had them on Lexi in Australia. I suppose they have to give us a few goodies to justify the exorbitant cost of cars here.