What Is Honda Sensing?

May 12th, 2021 by

You have a lot to keep track of when you are driving. External factors include traffic signs, the movement of other vehicles, and road markers. You also need to keep track of your vehicle speed and position. Honda Sensing is a suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance features designed to help you monitor the road as you drive. With multiple cameras and a radar system, Honda Sensing helps protect the occupants of your vehicle and every other vehicle on the road with you. Here is everything you need to know about Honda Sensing.

Features Included in Honda Sensing

A woman drives her Honda vehicle with Honda sensing

Image used with permission via Flickr by State Farm

The Honda Sensing suite is composed of several systems working together to keep you and your passengers safe.

Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)

The Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) helps you avoid or reduce the severity of a frontal impact. The CMBS uses a radar system and your vehicle’s forward-facing camera to constantly monitor your vehicle’s speed and the distance between vehicles to determine the likelihood of a collision. If the CMBS senses that a crash is likely, it will alert you with audible or visual warnings on your dash. Some vehicles also alert by tugging at the front seat belts.

If you press on your brakes after a CMBS warning, the system automatically enhances your braking. If no evasive action is taken, the CMBS will automatically and apply the brakes strongly. Some models will also tighten the front seat belts to provide extra protection to vehicle occupants.

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Honda’s Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is designed to alert drivers to potential problems on the roadway ahead. The FCW uses the forward-facing camera to detect vehicles in front of you as you drive. If the distance between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle is decreasing, the system will compare speeds to determine the likelihood of a crash. If a crash is likely, your FCW will alert you with beeping sounds and will flash “BRAKE” on your dashboard or head-up display. FCS does not operate below 3 mph to avoid unnecessary alerts.

Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)

The Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) uses your forward-facing camera to help you stay centered in your lane of travel. If your vehicle begins to drift out of your lane, the system will lightly steer you back into the center of your lane. The system will only steer your vehicle for a limited time. If you do not actively steer for a long period, the system will flash warnings on the dash to begin steering.

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

The Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) uses your Honda’s cameras to identify road markers such as painted lane lines, cat eye markers, and Bott’s dots. If the RDM system detects your vehicle drifting from your lane or leaving the roadway, your will receive both an audible warning and a visual warning on the dash. Some models also warn you by tugging at the front seatbelts. If you do not steer or brake and return to your lane, the system will gently attempt to steer you back into your lane. RDM may also apply the brakes to prevent you from leaving the roadway.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) provides the convenience of regular cruise control when you are driving through busy urban areas or in stop-and-go traffic. With ACC, you can set your desired speed and distance between you and other vehicles. The system will lightly apply the brakes and gas to maintain your preset speed and following distance.

Honda LaneWatch

Honda LaneWatch helps you change lanes safely by monitoring the passenger side of your vehicle. When your right turn signal is activated, a camera mounted on your passenger-side mirror will turn on. The video from this camera is displayed on your dashboard touch-screen. With LaneWatch, you can get a much clearer view of the lane you are about to enter than using the mirror alone.

Blind Spot Monitoring

Your Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System keeps an eye on your blind spots, preventing collisions with vehicles in adjacent lanes. The BSM will flash warning lights on your side mirrors if a vehicle moves into your blind spot on either side. If you have a turn signal is activated, the blind spot monitoring system will flash and beep if a vehicle enters the lane next to you.

Traffic Sign Recognition

Speed limit signs can be easily missed with you are concentrating on the road ahead. Honda’s Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) system uses the front-facing camera to recognize speed limit signs along the roadside. The TSR will flash the speed limit on your dashboard or head-up display.

Cross-Traffic Monitor

The Cross-Traffic Monitor (CTM) helps you avoid a collision when your vehicle is in reverse. CTM uses your rearview camera to monitor both sides of your vehicle. If a vehicle approaches when you are in reverse, the system will provide an audible warning and display the roadway behind you on your touch-screen display.

Automatic High Beams

The Automatic High Beam system is extremely convenient and provides improved night vision for you and other drivers on the road. This system uses your forward-facing camera to detect approaching vehicles and vehicles in front of you in your lane. Your high beams will be automatically activated when no other vehicles are detected and switched to low beams when other vehicles are within a certain distance.

Which Models Include Honda Sensing?

As of the 2021 model year, Honda Sensing is included in all models except for the HR-V LX. The standard safety features include the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, and Adaptive Cruise Control. All others are standard on high-end models or available as an option on other trims.

Honda Sensing is a powerful system and part of Honda’s goal of a “collision-free society.” To check out the advanced safety features on today’s Hondas, visit us at Ike Honda. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect Honda for you.

Posted in Honda Vehicles