How do you turn off Honda Sensing?
In most Honda vehicles, you can turn Honda Sensing off by pressing the MAIN button to disable the system. Some models also offer a separate LKAS OFF or ACC OFF control to disable individual features, and you can temporarily cancel adaptive cruise control by pressing the CANCEL button or braking. The exact controls vary by model and year.
Understanding Honda Sensing and why you might disable it
Honda Sensing is a suite of driver-assist features designed to help with braking, lane keeping, and maintaining a safe distance from vehicles ahead. It includes functions such as Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Drivers may choose to disable all or just some components in situations like heavy rain, snow, off-road driving, or when a driver simply prefers full manual control for a period. Controls and availability can differ by trim and model year, so verify with your owner's manual if you’re unsure.
How to turn off Honda Sensing on most Honda models
The following steps reflect common controls found in a wide range of recent Honda models. If your vehicle uses different labeling or placement, refer to the manual for your exact year and trim.
- Start the vehicle and ensure the engine is on. You should be able to access the Honda Sensing controls with the ignition on.
- Find the MAIN button on the left side of the steering wheel or on the center console. Press the MAIN button to toggle Honda Sensing off; the Sensing indicator on the instrument cluster should disappear when it is off. Press MAIN again to turn it back on.
- If your model has a dedicated LKAS OFF button (to disable Lane Keeping Assist), press it to deactivate LKAS. Press it again to re-enable LKAS.
- To temporarily cancel Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) while leaving other features active, press the CANCEL button on the steering wheel or lightly tap the brake. ACC will disengage, and you can resume by pressing RES/SET or by pressing the accelerator and using the appropriate resume controls.
- Remember that turning Honda Sensing off may reduce automated safety features for the current drive. Re-enable the system when you’re ready to return to assisted driving.
For many drivers, the MAIN control is the quickest way to disable Honda Sensing entirely. If you only want to disable a single feature (like LKAS or ACC) while leaving others active, use the separate OFF button for that feature if your model provides it. If you can’t locate these controls, consult your owner’s manual or contact a Honda dealer for model-specific instructions.
Model-specific notes and tips
Variations exist across Honda models and model years. The general pattern—MAIN toggling the overall system, LKAS OFF to disable lane keeping, and ACC OFF or CANCEL to suspend adaptive cruise control—applies to many recent vehicles, but the exact button placement and label can differ. Always confirm with the vehicle’s manual or onboard help prompts for your exact trim.
- Civic: Most recent Civics place MAIN near the steering wheel; LKAS OFF may be available to disable lane keeping separately.
- CR-V: The MAIN switch is commonly used to turn Honda Sensing on/off; some trims include a separate ACC OFF or LKAS OFF control.
- Accord and other sedans: Similar layout with MAIN as the primary toggle; check for any isolated OFF controls for LKAS or ACC on specific trims.
If you’re unsure, a quick reference is to check the instrument cluster for the Sensing indicator. When the system is off, the indicator typically disappears. If the indicator remains on after pressing MAIN, try pressing and holding MAIN for a moment, or consult the manual for year-specific instructions.
Temporary versus permanent deactivation
There is a practical distinction between turning Honda Sensing off for a single driving session and leaving it off long-term. Temporary deactivation (using CANCEL or the brake) resumes once you re-engage driving. Permanent or extended deactivation requires turning off the system with MAIN or adjusting settings per the vehicle’s software interface, which will reset when the car is restarted or when the system is re-enabled on another trip. If you rely on Honda Sensing for daily driving, think of “off” as a per-drive choice rather than a permanent configuration.
Summary
Turning off Honda Sensing is generally a straightforward process: use the MAIN button to disable the system, and use LKAS OFF or ACC OFF if your model supports turning off individual components. For temporary disengagement, the CANCEL control or braking can deactivate Adaptive Cruise Control without affecting other features. Since controls can vary by year and trim, consult your owner’s manual or contact a Honda dealer for model-specific instructions. Safety remains the primary consideration, so re-enable Honda Sensing whenever you’re ready to drive with its assistance again.
