In the thread "DIY: Add auto folding mirror to 2010 RX350", foreverjoj says “The side camera can only be enable if the car has parking assist ecu installed, otherwise the side camera is just useless.”.

I have the “Inutitive Parking Assist” option, but am not sure of ECU. What is ECU? I could not find any reference to it when I did a search in the Lexus website and my manual.

I am asking because I am now curious if my car has the side camera and how to enable it. I have a 2013 RX350 AWD with Premium and Navigation packages plus the "Inutitive Parking Assist” and "Blind Spot Monitoring" options.

 

I Googled ECU for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_control_unit

 

Thanks. I did come across it. But it does not seem to apply in this context. I mean with respect to having a side camera or not. Maybe the original poster meant something else.

 

elba123,
You ARE the original poster!

 

Guys. ECU is a generic term often used to mean any Computer in the car. Yes it stands for Engine Control Unit and is primarily involved in engine performance issues. There are several computers in modern cars including BCU (Body Control Unit), ECU and others. What the original poster means, is that your cars computer will not be programmed to operate any signals when placed in R unless you have the Park Assist feature. I'm not sure if he's correct as the ECU for all RX models is the same. Certain features may be disabled based on the cars options.
His use of ECU in this context clearly means the Cars Computer system (in general). Hope this helps.

 

IIRC the side camera is an option included as part of the Luxury Package. It is enabled irrespective of the Intuitive
Park Assist.

 

We traded our 2010 RX for a 2013 RX. Both were Ultra Premium II models. We found out later in the day that the camera under the side mirror was no longer available in the 2013 - as was clarified by the sales person when we inquired about it.

Wasn't a show stopper for us but it was definitely a convenience, especially for the wife. Too bad. Oh well.

 

Helps ME a lot! Thanks!

 

elba123, take a look at this thread. The wide view side camera was dropped for 2013. It was a feature available on earlier RXs (2010-2012) mostly to prevent curb rash while parallel parking. Here's the description from a Lexus press release back in 2011:

VVRX, you were correct, it was part of the luxury package here in the US. And no mention of part assist being required. RXs are packaged differently in Canada where foreverjoj is from.

 

I meant original poster of the thread I referred to when I created this chain : "DIY: Add auto folding mirror to 2010 RX350"

 

OOPPSS! My bad.

 

Do any Lexus (Lexi?) or any cars have side facing cameras? If so, how do they work?

 

Thanks for digging this up.

What a great idea from Lexus to drop one of the few differentiating technology features that set it apart from other less-than-35000-dollar cars that have features like proximity sensors, blind spot monitors, can parallel park themselves, have reverse cameras - yes, cameras with guidelines.

Of course, the comparison stops when it comes to comfort and safety. Still it is a sore point that they have dropped features when you shell out so much money.

 

Gee, the GX460 doesn't have the altimeter that the 470's had either. What? no waving A/C vents as in the LS430's? How about the downloadable hard drive for CD's in the '07 -'09 LS's... Let's bring back the Cassette deck that were still in '07 ES350's (OK, that one is going too far...)