Is it possible to install Blind Spot Monitoring on my Rav4?

cornislife · May 13, 2020

Ravvydoog19 said:
As the owner of an LE hybrid with the BSM option, I bought mine at a time when even finding a hybrid was tough. It’s certainly my favorite and most-used safety system. I wouldn’t say I depend on it alone but it helps to have that information in traffic.
I can’t imagine trying to install it after market. I’d wait till you trade it in.

Do you know if they install it after you add the option on your le vehicle? Or are there le models that come with bsm and others that dont?

wallybear · May 13, 2020

cornislife said:
Do you know if they install it after you add the option on your le vehicle? Or are there le models that come with bsm and others that dont?

The BSM is not standard on the LE. I don't know what percentage of built cars have the option added. I'd guess maybe 50% at most for the reasons I've already pointed out (the XLE is only $1295 more and includes the $640 BSM option).

If a car didn't get BSM added at the factory, it's way too costly to add it afterwards, but it is technically feasible to do so for thousands of dollars. Check the other postings on this thread that I've made about that idea.

Good luck. Peace.

Ravvydoog19 · May 13, 2020

cornislife said:
Do you know if they install it after you add the option on your le vehicle? Or are there le models that come with bsm and others that dont?

It’s was only an option on my 2019 Rav hybrid LE.

Variman · May 14, 2020

Plus, I assume that insurance rates reduce with BSM. In addition, you cannot get audio plus in an LE.

wallybear said:
It's a line item on the window sticker. I saw a new LE equipped this way on the dealer's lot this morning. $640 option (it was $590, but just went up like a few other options did in February).

Personally, I don't understand anyone buying an LE over an XLE considering the relative price difference (~ $1300) for all the extra equipment on the XLE (i.e., BSM, alloy wheels, smart key door/start system, power driver seat, dual-zone climate control, extra USB ports, etc.).

No offense intended to anyone who owns an LE, but I will point out that these cars are primarily built to be sold as rental vehicles (where the smart key/door system is a liability) and secondarily to allow the dealers to advertise the lowest price possible for comparison reasons (because that's what the other makes do, too). I think if you're going to add the $640 BSM system to an LE, why not get an XLE and all it offers for just $655 more. I'm just saying.

I hope this helps someone. Peace.

gstoneburn · May 14, 2020

cornislife said:
So it can be done? Do toyota dealers actually do these BSM installations? Also if I do this at other mechanics, does it void toyota warranty? i have bumper to bumper warranty for 8 years.

I put small mirrors on my Prius Prime, just like the ones that came on my 2016 RAV4 Hybrid. I prefer them to the BSM systems. Failsafe and still gives me the side vision when viewing my side mirror. Also costs less than $10!

toyodaornot · May 14, 2020

gstoneburn said:
I put small mirrors on my Prius Prime, just like the ones that came on my 2016 RAV4 Hybrid. I prefer them to the BSM systems. Failsafe and still gives me the side vision when viewing my side mirror. Also costs less than $10!

You can buy them even for $5 on Amazon, but they are not all the same, those cheap ones make things appear way too small or optics just not very good, so I only found Maxi to have ideal magnification. I bought them when they were $20 for pair, but even for $30 they are worth it. Perhaps there are cheaper alternatives now, but I haven't had the need

dennisRav42018 · Jun 4, 2020

cornislife said:
Hello,
I bought a 2020 rav4 hybrid le and when asked if i wanted blind spot monitoring installed i said no thinking it could be done later if need be. Called the sales person later and he told me it needs to be factory installed and has buttons which my car doesnt to activate it. I have seen youtube videos showing them installing BSM. Can it be done? If so, which systems are recommended? Thanks.

It would be better if you chose the one that the BSM came with it as a standard. Installing it later would be more expensive.

Is it possible to install Blind Spot Monitoring on my Rav4?

cornislife

wallybear

Ravvydoog19

Variman

gstoneburn

toyodaornot

dennisRav42018

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