How do you turn on a Ford blind spot monitor?
Ford's blind spot monitoring system is a valuable safety feature that helps drivers avoid collisions by alerting them to vehicles in their blind spots. To turn on the blind spot monitor in your Ford vehicle, follow these simple steps.
Enabling the Blind Spot Monitor
The blind spot monitor in your Ford vehicle is typically activated by default, but you can check and adjust the settings as needed. Here's how to turn on the blind spot monitor:
- Locate the vehicle settings menu on your Ford's infotainment system or dashboard controls.
- Navigate to the "Driver Assistance" or "Safety" settings.
- Look for an option labeled "Blind Spot Information System" or "BLIS" and ensure it is turned on.
- Adjust the sensitivity of the blind spot detection if desired, choosing between "Normal" or "High" settings.
Once the blind spot monitor is enabled, it will use radar sensors to detect vehicles in your blind spots and provide visual and/or audible alerts to warn you when it's unsafe to change lanes.
Understanding Blind Spot Monitoring
Ford's blind spot monitoring system is designed to enhance your awareness of your vehicle's surroundings and help prevent accidents. The system uses radar sensors located in the rear corners of your vehicle to detect other vehicles in your blind spots, which are the areas not visible in your side-view mirrors.
When the system detects a vehicle in your blind spot, it will illuminate an indicator light in the corresponding side-view mirror. If you then activate your turn signal to change lanes, the system will also provide an audible warning to alert you to the presence of the other vehicle.
The blind spot monitor is just one of the many advanced driver assistance features available in Ford vehicles, all aimed at making your driving experience safer and more confident.
Why is my blind spot monitoring not working?
Your blind spot detection may not be working because the sensors are dirty or blocked, there's damage to the mirrors or bumper, or due to wiring/software issues. Less common reasons include a temporary system error that can be fixed by restarting the car or a deactivated setting, such as for trailer mode.
Simple checks to try first
This video demonstrates how to clean the sensors and perform a vehicle reset: 1mDashboard warning lights YouTube · Oct 14, 2025
- Clean the sensors: Wipe the rear bumper and the area around the radar sensors with a clean cloth to remove dirt, mud, snow, or ice. Some sources recommend using isopropyl alcohol and a clean rag to ensure the area is clean and free of grime.
- Restart the vehicle: Turn the engine off, wait about 30 seconds, and then restart the car. Drive for a few minutes above 10 mph to allow the system to re-initialize.
- Check settings: Look in your vehicle's infotainment or settings menu to make sure the blind spot monitoring system is enabled. For example, if you recently started towing a trailer, the trailer blind spot detection setting might have turned off the system.
Potential causes requiring professional help
This video explains the role of sensors in blind spot detection and potential causes for malfunctions: 52sTire ReviewYouTube · Mar 13, 2023
- Damage to sensors or mirrors: A physical impact to the rear bumper or side mirrors can damage the sensors or misalign them, causing the system to fail.
- Wiring or internal issues: A malfunction in the wiring or the electronic control unit (ECU) can cause the system to turn off randomly or become unreliable.
- Software glitches: The software controlling the system can sometimes have a bug. A factory or system reset might be necessary, but this may require a professional or can be done by disconnecting the car's battery for about 10 minutes.
What to do if the problem continues
- Consult the owner's manual: Your car's manual may have specific troubleshooting steps or a list of conditions under which the system may not operate correctly, like during heavy rain or sharp turns.
- Contact a dealership or qualified mechanic: If the simple steps don't work, it's best to have a professional diagnose and repair the issue, especially if your vehicle is still under warranty.
How do I turn on my Ford blind spot monitor?
So in the screen we're going to go to settings. And then select driver assistance. And then you can see right there 1 2 3 4 down blind spot information. System just select it. And now your blind spot.
How to turn on blind spot monitor Ford F150 2019?
And you're going to push down on settings. And look there you go you all of a sudden have. These options and you're just going to turn on trailer blind spot which turns on the blind. Spot.
How do I turn on active blind spot assist?
To activate blind spot assist, go to your vehicle's infotainment or driver assistance settings and find the "Blind Spot Warning," "Blind Spot Information," or "Active Blind Spot Detection" option. From there, you can turn the system on or adjust its settings to your preference.
This video demonstrates how to activate Blind Spot Assist on a Nissan Rogue: 56sQuiteAlrightYouTube · Nov 19, 2025
General steps
- Navigate to the main menu on your vehicle's display screen.
- Select "Settings" or "Driver Assistance".
- Look for a menu like "Safety and warnings," "Blind Spot Information," or "Driver Assistance".
- Find "Blind Spot Warning," "Active Blind Spot Detection," or a similar option and select it.
- Turn the system on or adjust your preferred settings, such as the warning volume or light.
You can watch this video to see how to activate Blind Spot Assist on a Ford Edge: 1mQuiteAlrightYouTube · Nov 15, 2023
Important considerations
- Blind spot assist typically requires a speed greater than 6-12 mph to become active.
- The system may not function correctly in severe weather or if the sensors are blocked.
- Always remember that blind spot assist is an aid, not a replacement for paying attention and checking your surroundings yourself before changing lanes.
- Some vehicles have different features, like lane-keeping or emergency steering, that work in conjunction with blind spot warnings.
