How To Reset Honda Sensing?

Honda Sensing is an advanced safety system available in many new Honda vehicles. It uses a suite of sensors and cameras to provide driver assistance features like collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. While Honda Sensing is designed to operate seamlessly, you may need to reset Honda Sensing at times to restore normal functioning. This comprehensive guide will explain How To Reset Honda Sensing?

Resetting Honda Sensing

Resetting Honda Sensing can be necessary if you are experiencing issues with the system. A reset often clears up any software glitches or sensor detection problems. Before taking your vehicle to the dealer for diagnostics, try resetting the system first. In many cases, this simple step can get Honda Sensing working properly again.

You have two main options for resetting Honda Sensing:

  • Reset the entire system at once
  • Reset individual features like adaptive cruise control or collision mitigation braking

The steps for each method will be covered in detail in this guide. With the right technique, you can get Honda Sensing back up and running in no time. Continue reading to learn how to fully or partially reset this important driver assistance system.

How To Fully Reset Honda Sensing?

Resetting the entire Honda Sensing system at once is straightforward. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

Locate The MAIN Button

The MAIN button is located on the steering wheel. It is typically on the left side near the other buttons for cruise control and audio controls. Refer to your owner’s manual if you have difficulty finding it.

Press And Hold The MAIN Button

Press and hold the MAIN button for a few seconds until you see a message on the instrument panel indicating that Honda Sensing is disabled.

Release The MAIN Button

Once the message appears, you can release the MAIN button. Honda Sensing will now be completely reset.

Press The MAIN Button Again

To reactivate Honda Sensing, simply press the MAIN button again. The system will reboot and resume normal operation.

That’s all there is to fully resetting Honda Sensing! This method will disable and re-enable all of the driver assistance features at the same time. Use it whenever you want to reboot the entire system.

How To Reset Individual Honda Sensing Features

You also have the option to reset specific Honda Sensing components individually. Here’s how to do it for the main features:

Resetting Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control helps automatically adjust your speed to maintain a set following distance behind the car in front. To reset it:

  • Press and hold the distance button (has an icon with a vehicle and bars) until you see a message indicating cruise control is canceled
  • Release the button
  • Press and hold it again to reactivate adaptive cruise

Resetting Road Departure Mitigation

The road departure mitigation system vibrates the steering wheel if you start to drift out of your lane. Follow these steps to reset it:

  • Press the safety support button to turn the system off
  • The RDM indicator will turn gray when disabled
  • Press the button again to turn road departure mitigation back on

Resetting Collision Mitigation Braking

Collision mitigation braking can automatically apply brakes to help avoid frontal crashes. Here is how to reset it:

  • Press and hold the CMBS OFF button for one second
  • You will hear a beep and see a message that CMBS is off
  • Press the button again for one second to reactivate CMBS

Resetting Blind Spot Information

The blind spot information system alerts you if there is a vehicle in your blind spot. Try this to reset it:

  • Make sure the sensors are clean
  • Turn the car off and then on again
  • The system will prompt you to reset after restarting

By resetting only the malfunctioning component of Honda Sensing, you can save time and avoid disabling features that are working correctly.

Troubleshooting When Honda Sensing Is Not Working

Sometimes resetting Honda Sensing does not resolve the issues. Here are some common reasons the system may fail along with troubleshooting tips:

Sensor Obstructions

Honda Sensing relies on cameras and radar sensors mounted around your vehicle. Dirt, debris, snow, or ice can block these sensors and cause malfunctions. Carefully clean the sensor areas if you suspect an obstruction.

Exceeding System Limits

Most Honda Sensing features only work within certain speed ranges and conditions. For example, collision mitigation braking activates above 10 mph. And lane keep assist functions between 45-90 mph. Driving outside these parameters can cause the systems to shut off or act erratically. Refer to your owner’s manual for specifics on when each feature is designed to work.

Bad Weather Conditions

Heavy rain, snow, fog, and other weather can interfere with the Honda Sensing cameras and sensors. This may limit functionality in poor visibility. Not much can be done aside from waiting for conditions to improve.

Winding Or Hilly Roads

The cameras have a hard time detecting lanes and vehicles on curvy roads. Steep hills can also affect sensor operation. Expect limited performance on winding or hilly routes.

Software Bugs

Like any advanced electronics, Honda Sensing could have occasional software bugs. A full reset may resolve software glitches. Visit your dealer if problems persist after a reset. They can check for software updates and diagnostics.

With a combination of resetting the system, troubleshooting sensor obstructions or settings, and ruling out severe weather conditions, you should be able to get Honda Sensing working properly again in most situations. But don’t hesitate to visit a dealer if resets and troubleshooting fail to resolve recurrent issues.

Customizing Honda Sensing Settings

While resets are useful for troubleshooting, you can also customize Honda Sensing settings for your preferences. Here are some examples:

Adjusting Collision Warning Distance

Want to increase or decrease the following distance that triggers forward collision warnings? Use the car settings menu in your center display.

Turning Off Individual Features

Don’t like a specific feature? The MAIN button allows you to disable only certain functions like lane keep assist.

Lowering Sensitivity

Do you find some alerts like lane departure warnings too sensitive? Lower the sensitivity in the menu settings.

Please refer to your owner’s manual for the full list of customizations available for your vehicle. Adjusting these settings allows you to dial in Honda Sensing to your driving style.

Maintaining Honda Sensing

Proactively maintaining the Honda Sensing system can prevent many issues:

  • Keep the windshield clean – Dirt and debris can interfere with the front camera
  • Clean sensors frequently – Use water and a soft cloth to gently clean radar and camera components
  • Don’t use aftermarket items that block sensors – Items like bike racks and large stickers can obstruct the cameras and radars
  • Check for recalls and software updates – Unaddressed recalls or outdated software can cause glitches

Making Honda Sensing maintenance part of your normal cleaning and service routine will help avoid problems before they happen.

When To Visit The Dealer

While many Honda Sensing problems can be resolved with the reset tips in this guide, it’s smart to have your dealer inspect the system if:

  • Error messages or warnings related to Honda Sensing appear frequently
  • The system seems slow to respond or react
  • Resets and troubleshooting have no effect
  • A recall notice was issued for your Honda Sensing system

The dealer has specialized diagnostic tools and software to thoroughly test for hardware problems. They can also check for outdated software and perform OTA updates if available. It’s a good idea to have them inspect Honda Sensing at your scheduled maintenance intervals.

Why Is Honda Sensing Not Working?

Honda Sensing may not be working due to sensor obstructions, driving outside system limits, bad weather, winding/hilly roads, or software bugs. Try cleaning sensors, driving within proper speed/conditions, waiting for weather to improve, and resetting the system.

How Do I Turn Off My Honda Sensing?

To turn off Honda Sensing, press and hold the MAIN button on the steering wheel. This will disable all features like lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Press the button again to turn the system back on.

How Do You Reset The Collision Mitigation System?

You can reset the collision mitigation braking system by pressing and holding the CMBS OFF button for one second until you hear a beep. This will turn the system off. Press and hold the button again to reactivate collision mitigation braking.

How Do You Set Up A Honda Sensing?

To set up Honda Sensing, refer to your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your vehicle model. Generally you need to turn on the car, press the MAIN button to enable the system, and customize settings like warning distances and feature sensitivity through the center screen menu.

Conclusion

Honda Sensing is an invaluable system when working properly. The driver assistance features it offers can give you extra confidence and security on the road. If you ever notice problems with the system, resetting Honda Sensing should be your first step in most cases. Just locate the MAIN button and press and hold it to reboot the whole system. 

Or reset individual components like adaptive cruise control by holding their buttons. Additionally, inspect and clean the Honda Sensing sensors, adjust settings if needed, and rule out bad weather conditions.

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Ammar Masoud

I have had a long and fulfilling career in the automotive industry, primarily with Honda and Acura. With 15 years of experience as a Honda service technician, I became highly skilled in repair and maintenance, gaining a deep understanding of these vehicles. After many years in the automotive field, I decided to embark on a second career in industrial manufacturing. It was a significant change, but I found that the skills I had honed in the automotive industry were incredibly valuable in my new role. In my current position in industrial manufacturing, the demand for quality workmanship and meticulous attention to detail is paramount. Fortunately, these are traits that I have cultivated throughout my years in the automotive industry. I take pride in applying these skills to meet the high standards expected in the manufacturing sector.