Can you turn off collision avoidance?

Yes, you can often disable or reduce collision avoidance in various devices, but it varies by product and is not always fully possible. Safety-focused systems are designed to prevent crashes, and many manufacturers limit how completely they can be turned off.

Collision avoidance encompasses features that detect obstacles and intervene to prevent harm. It appears in consumer cars (automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warnings), drones and other aerial systems, and industrial robots. The exact options, limitations, and safety implications differ widely by brand, model, firmware, and local regulations. This article explains how disabling works across common platforms and what to consider before making changes.

In vehicles

Modern cars commonly offer a way to adjust or disable automatic emergency braking (AEB) and related collision-warning systems, but the availability and extent of control vary by manufacturer and market. Some safety features remain partially active to ensure basic protection.

Can you turn it off?

In many cars, you can turn AEB or forward collision warning off or reduce its sensitivity through the vehicle’s settings. However, some systems or components may remain active, and certain regions require AEB to be functional on new vehicles. Always consult your owner’s manual for model-specific guidance and comply with local safety regulations.

Steps to disable collision avoidance in cars (where supported):

• Access the infotainment system and open the Driver Assistance or Safety settings.


• Find the option for Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), or collision avoidance and select Off or a lower sensitivity setting.


• Confirm changes and perform a cautious, controlled test in a safe environment to verify behavior changes.


• Be aware that some regions or trims may not permit full deactivation; the system may still warn or intervene in emergencies.

Note: Disabling collision avoidance can increase crash risk. If you choose to reduce or disable these features, stay especially vigilant and maintain safe following distances.

In drones and aerial systems

Drones rely on obstacle avoidance to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions and crashes. Depending on the model and firmware, you can often disable or tune the sensors, but there are important safety and regulatory caveats.

Can you turn it off?

On many consumer drones, obstacle avoidance can be toggled off or its sensitivity adjusted in the control app. Some flight modes or firmware updates may re-enable avoidance automatically, and certain geofenced zones or altitude restrictions may require avoidance to be active. Always verify with your drone’s manual and software version.

How to disable obstacle avoidance on drones (where allowed):

• Open the control app and go to Safety or Obstacle Avoidance settings.


• Toggle obstacle avoidance off or adjust sensor sensitivity, if the option exists.


• Be aware that some modes may re-enable avoidance in certain flight conditions or regions.


• Test flights should be conducted in wide-open, safe areas away from people and property after changes.


• Follow local aviation rules; in some jurisdictions, disabling avoidance may be restricted or prohibited for certain operations.

Warning: Disabling obstacle avoidance increases the risk of collisions and property damage. Exercise extreme caution and comply with local regulations when flying with avoidance disabled.

In industrial robots and safety systems

Industrial and collaborative robots incorporate built-in safety features to protect workers. These controls are typically restricted to qualified personnel, and any adjustment often requires formal risk assessment, commissioning, and regulatory compliance. Disabling safety systems is generally not advised and may be illegal in some jurisdictions.

When adjustments are possible, they are usually limited to fine-tuning response thresholds or sensor sensitivity under strict safety protocols. Always prioritize worker safety and consult relevant standards (for example, ISO 10218 for industrial robots and ISO/TS 15066 for collaborative robots) before making changes.

Safety considerations and best practices

Turning off collision avoidance can expose you to higher crash risk. Consider the following before making any changes:

• Understand the purpose and limits of the feature for your device.


• Check whether disabling is permitted in your jurisdiction and by the manufacturer’s policies for warranty and liability.


• Test changes in controlled environments before normal use.


• Keep a backup plan: maintain safe speeds, distances, and alert monitoring even with reduced protection.

For many users, adjusting sensitivity or region-specific settings is a safer alternative to complete deactivation. If safety features are integral to your device’s operation, seek official guidance or support from the manufacturer rather than relying on unofficial methods.

What to check before you disable

Before altering collision avoidance, verify the following:

• Model-specific documentation and firmware notes for disablement options and limitations.


• Regulatory requirements in your area regarding automated safety features.


• Warranty implications and potential liability in the event of a crash or incident.


• Whether deactivation affects other dependent systems (for example, adaptive cruise control or parking assist).

If in doubt, consult the manufacturer’s support resources or authorized service centers to understand safe and compliant options for your device.

Summary

Collision avoidance features exist to reduce the risk of collisions across cars, drones, and industrial systems. In many cases, you can adjust or partially disable these features, but full deactivation is not always possible or advisable. The specific steps depend on the device, model, firmware, and local regulations. Users should weigh safety, legal considerations, and manufacturer guidance before making changes, and whenever possible opt for adjusted sensitivity rather than complete disablement.

Bottom line

Whether you can turn off collision avoidance—and how much you can turn it off—depends on the platform. Always prioritize safety and consult official manuals or support resources to understand the implications and proper procedures for your specific device.

Can you turn off forward collision avoidance assist?

Yes, you can turn off forward collision avoidance assist, though it will typically reactivate each time you start the vehicle. You can usually do this through your car's infotainment or driver information screen by navigating to settings like "Driver Assistance" or "Driving Safety" and deselecting the function. Some vehicles may have a physical button to press and hold to deactivate the system. 
This video demonstrates how to turn off the forward collision avoidance assist system in a Hyundai vehicle: 43sHyundaiUSAYouTube · Feb 24, 2023
How to turn it off

• Via the infotainment or information screen: 
  • Start your vehicle's engine. 
  • Go to Settings > Vehicle > Driver Assistance > Driving Safety (or a similar path, such as this Kia manual page). 
  • Deselect the box for "Forward Safety" or "Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist". 
  • A warning light will appear on your instrument cluster to indicate the system is off. 
• Via a physical button: 
  • Press and hold the dedicated button for the system (it might be labeled "CMBS" or have an icon). 
  • A beep will sound, and a message will appear on the display. 
  • The indicator light will appear on the instrument cluster, showing the system is off. 

Important considerations

• System reset: In many vehicles, the system will reset and turn back on the next time you start the engine. 
• Other alerts: Disabling this system might also turn off related warnings, depending on your vehicle's setup. 
• Safety recommendation: Most manufacturers recommend keeping the system on, as it is designed to help prevent crashes and could save your life. 

Can you turn off automatic braking?

Yes, you can turn off automatic braking, but the method varies by vehicle, often involving the vehicle's settings menu on the display screen or a physical button. Some systems can be temporarily disabled, while others can be permanently turned off through the settings. If you need to turn it off temporarily, you may be able to do so by pressing a specific button, and in some cases, it may be possible to override the braking with the accelerator pedal. 
Common methods to turn off automatic braking
This video demonstrates how to disable automatic braking in a Mercedes-Benz: 1mMercedes-Benz of EastbourneYouTube · Aug 3, 2024

• Through the vehicle's settings menu: This is the most common method for a permanent or long-term shutdown. 
  • Navigate to the "Settings" menu on your display screen. 
  • Look for options like "Safety," "Driving Assistance," or "Collision Avoidance". 
  • Find the "Automatic Emergency Braking" or a similar feature and select "Off" or "Alert only". 
• Using a physical button: Some vehicles have a dedicated button to disable this feature. 
  • This button often has an icon like a steering wheel or a parking sensor. 
  • Pressing this button will typically turn the entire system off, while a separate setting might be available for disabling only the alerts. 
• During a parking event:
  • In some vehicles, you can disable rear automatic braking (RAB) by pressing and holding a button on the backup camera screen until you hear a beep. 
  • For other models, a specific button labeled with a parking symbol (like the PKSB button in some Toyota models) will turn the system off for parking situations. 
• Through the owner's manual: 
  • Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the specific instructions for your make and model. 
  • It will provide precise instructions on how to disable the system, whether it's a permanent or temporary option, and may explain how to turn it back on. 

This video explains how to turn off automatic braking when driving off-road in a Toyota: 58sSteve CliffordYouTube · Oct 7, 2023
Important considerations

• Automatic emergency braking (AEB) and anti-lock braking system (ABS) are different: AEB is a driver-assist feature, while ABS is a standard safety system that prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking. You cannot turn off ABS, and attempting to do so by removing a fuse is not recommended and may cause your vehicle to fail an inspection. 
• System resets: Some systems may reset to the "on" state each time you start the car, and you'll have to disable them again each time. 
• Warning lights: You may see a yellow warning icon on your dashboard when automatic braking is off, which is normal. 

Is collision avoidance worth it?

Yes, collision avoidance systems (CAS) such as forward collision warning or blind spot warning systems are generally worth investing in. They help enhance driver safety and can prevent or mitigate accidents.

How do I turn off the collision mitigation braking system?

To turn off the collision mitigation braking system (CMBS), you can typically press and hold a physical button located to the left of the steering column, or you can turn it off through your vehicle's infotainment system's settings menu. The specific method depends on your vehicle's make and model. 
Using the physical button

• Locate the button: Find the physical CMBS or forward collision warning button, usually to the left of the steering wheel. 
• Press and hold: Press and hold the button for a few seconds until you hear an audible beep and a message appears on the driver information display confirming the system is off. 
• Check the display: A specific indicator light or symbol will appear in your instrument cluster to show that the system has been deactivated. 

Using the infotainment system

• Access settings: From the home screen, navigate to the "Settings" menu. 
• Find the driver assist option: Look for a "Vehicle," "Driver Assist," or "Safety" menu. 
• Adjust the system: Select "Collision Mitigation Braking System" or "Forward Collision Warning" and choose the option to turn it off. 

This video shows how to turn off the CMBS using the infotainment system: 55sJoel WilliamsYouTube · Oct 16, 2024
Important considerations

• Automatic reset: In most cases, the system will automatically turn back on each time you start the engine, so you will need to repeat the deactivation process. 
• Permanent disabling: Disabling the system permanently is not typically an option through the standard settings, though some manufacturers may have different procedures. 
• Check your owner's manual: The most accurate instructions will be in your vehicle's owner's manual, which can provide details specific to your model, say Reddit users.