A Comprehensive Guide to Honda Safety Tech
One of the main reasons Honda is a top automobile brand in America is because of its commitment to safety and innovative technologies that continue to push safety to new levels. When you’re looking to buy a new car, great safety features are likely high on your wish list. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to all the latest Honda safety features. We’ll cover the passive features it’s easy to forget about each day, active features that come standard on new Hondas, as well as the great suite of features included in Honda Sensing. Check out this guide to understand what’s available on new Honda models, and if you're searching for an Elk Grove Honda dealer, we welcome you to take the trip north and visit us here at Future Honda, conveniently located in Citrus Heights.
Passive Safety Tech
Passive safety features come standard on all new Honda models. They’re the features we usually forget exist, but when disaster happens, we’re endlessly thankful for them. Even though most people don’t think about these features every day, they are crucial to the overall safety of Honda vehicles.
ACE Body Structure
All new Hondas have been designed and manufactured to alleviate the potential risk of frontal crashes through a trademarked high-tensile steel body structure. The ACE body structure distributes crash energy from the front of the vehicle through the rest of the body to smooth out the overall impact and better protect passengers. It absorbs and deflects crash energy away from the passenger cabin.
Front Seat Belts With Pretensioner and Load Limiter
Like normal seatbelt technology, it contracts the seat belt when brakes are applied heavily or when a frontal impact is detected, but with an additional feature. On new Hondas, the seat belts give a little after the initial retraction to allow pressure to be reduced on passengers’ chests. This can reduce the strain they feel and may even help reduce the likelihood of broken bones. Of course, a broken collarbone is always preferable to the alternative of not wearing a seatbelt and being thrown through the windshield during a particularly bad crash.
Advanced Airbag Technology
Most of us count ourselves lucky to have never seen airbags deployed in real life. They’re something we’re glad we own but never want to use. Honda takes normal airbag technology further with their advanced front airbags, which have been designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision. Side airbags come available with SmartVent, as well as side curtain airbags, which deploy when there has been a rollover event. Front knee airbags help protect passengers’ legs for extra safety.
Active Safety Tech
Active safety technology are features that drivers use and are probably more aware of daily compared with passive features. They come standard on new Honda models and actively work to make each driving experience safer.
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
In the United States, it’s been a law that all new vehicles sold must have rear-view cameras. This mandate was put into place by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and aims to reduce accidents by improving driver visibility. Honda has taken the simple back-up camera a step further, however. On newer Hondas, a multi-angle rearview camera is equipped. This additional capability lets drivers choose between three different angles to view the back of their vehicle. They can keep the camera view in normal mode, seeing the standard square behind your car, or you can choose between top-down or wide mode. These additional views let drivers customize how they view the road or driveway behind them when they put their vehicle in reverse.
Active Stability Systems
Every new Honda has features that assist in keeping the vehicle stable and in control on the road. The first of these is called Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control, which is a system that helps drivers maintain traction when oversteering occurs due to road conditions. For example, if the road is slippery because of rain, mud, or snow, this system regulates the engine output and selectively applies the brakes in the right amounts to prevent extra slipping.
Another stability-encouraging feature is the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). This has become standard on many vehicles and prevents the wheels from locking when the driver has stepped down hard on the brakes during an emergency. Braking too hard can cause the vehicle to careen off the road because it’s skidding too much. Other braking systems like Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and regular Brake Assist help with the overall stability of the vehicle by varying the force of braking during specific scenarios, especially when the driver is in a state of panic or emergency.
Honda Sensing
This is Honda’s suite of advanced safety features. Most new Hondas come with Honda Sensing equipped, but make sure you check which features are available on the new or even used model you’re interested in.
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
This technology uses forward-facing cameras and sensors to detect if a vehicle ahead is slowing or braking. If it detects that a collision is about to happen because the driver hasn’t reacted in time by applying the brakes, it will apply the brakes itself. This is an assistive technology that helps drivers avoid forward collisions.
Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)
If you’re driving and you cross a line without first turning on your indicator, the Road Departure Mitigation System adjusts the steering and braking of your Honda. This also uses smart cameras to constantly monitor the lines on the road so that your vehicle is primed to alert you and make adjustments when you’ve become distracted. The override isn’t strong enough that if you’ve swerved on purpose to avoid debris on the road, for example, you can’t manually keep driving over the line. This adds an additional layer of safety to everyday drives.
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
The Lane Keeping Assist System works similarly by using cameras and monitoring the lanes on the road. Hondas with this feature automatically assist drivers in keeping them centered in their lane. This is especially useful on long trips on the highway when it’s easy to get bored or tired. This additional assistance can make the difference between swerving into parallel traffic and another regular trip home.
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
One of the most exciting safety features available on new Honda models is Traffic Sign Recognition. This feature works by detecting and recognizing road signs and displaying them on the digital display to help keep drivers aware of speed limits and other road signs. This feature helps reduce the likelihood of speeding by keeping drivers informed of speed limits on their trips.
Safety Is Standard Behind the Wheel of a Honda
No matter whether you’re looking for a new Honda model or a used one, there is sure to be a wide array of safety features included. The newer the model, the more advanced safety technology will become standard. At Future Honda, we want to be your Elk Grove area Honda dealer. We can walk you through the specifics of safety technology on any of our Hondas in stock so you can be sure you’re getting exactly what you need for your driving needs and lifestyle. Have questions about any of these safety features? Visit us today, and we’d be happy to walk you through how these safety features work!