Many drivers are surprised to learn that self-autonomous features are built into many modern cars like the Honda Civic. These features are designed to help you drive more safely or make driving easier.
The 5 Levels of Self-Driving Cars
There are five levels of self-driving cars. It is difficult to find a vehicle without any self-driving features as such vehicles have no automation at all, so the driver must do everything manually.
Level 1
Level 1 vehicles have features like cruise control that allow the driver to share control of the car.
Level 2
Level 2 allows the driver to give the vehicle permission to use preset parameters to make decisions independently. A perfect example of this is the Honda Civic.
Level 3 and Above
Very few vehicles allow drivers to safely take their eyes off the road. Level 4 and 5 cars can drive themselves, but auto manufacturers have not yet succeeded in producing these vehicles to meet government standards.
Self-Driving Features on the Honda Civic
Rearview Cameras
A rearview camera is an example of a Level 1 self-autonomous feature that you can find in many Honda Civics. The driver can watch what is in back of them while looking at the road in front of them by watching the camera. The camera automatically turns itself on and signals this in the information display panel on Honda Civics equipped with multi-view rear cameras. Starting with the 2013 model year, all Honda Civics have come with rearview cameras.
Blind-Spot Monitoring
Blind-spot monitoring is another example of a self-autonomous feature found on some Honda Civics. One of the Civic’s earliest examples of blind-spot monitoring was called LaneWatch. This system used a second backup camera mounted on the right-side mirror. When the driver turned on their right turn signal, the camera feed automatically appeared on the infotainment display. You can find many Honda Civics from model year 2014 and later with LaneWatch, especially in the EX trim level and above.
Cruise Control
Most people have driven a car using cruise control. This is an example of a self-autonomous feature as the car controls the speed while the driver does the steering. One of the earliest Civics to offer cruise control was the 1994 Honda Civic LX, and it quickly became standard equipment. You can find Honda Civics with adaptive cruise control that will automatically adjust your speed so that you do not get too close to the vehicle in front of you.
Lane-Departure Warning
Honda Civics have two types of lane-keeping assistance. The first is a lane-departure mechanism that senses when you are not driving in the middle of your lane and warns you with both an audible alarm and a warning light on your instrument panel. You can find this feature on many Honda Civics starting with the 2014 model year.
Lane-Keeping Assist System
Starting with the 2016 Honda Civic, this vehicle has the lane-keeping assist system as part of the Honda Sensing system. If you fail to acknowledge the lane-keeper assist warning, the car will center itself. The system relies on dash-mounted cameras to sense when you are on a straight or slightly curving road and traveling between 45 mph and 90 mph. Then, it momentarily takes control of the vehicle, moving it to the middle of your lane.
Road Departure Mitigation System
The Road Departure Mitigation System alerts you if you cross out of your lane without using your turn signal when traveling between 45 mph and 90 mph. The system first sends an alert to the driver display. It then tightens the control of the steering wheel and sends vibrations through the wheel to alert you that there is a problem. Finally, if the lines on the road are continuous, it applies the vehicle’s brakes. It also gives a beep to alert you.
Forward Collision Warning
Starting with the 2016 model year, Honda Civics with Honda Sensing also have forward-collision warning systems. If the car moves over 3 mph and the system senses that the vehicle is getting too close to the car in front of it, it displays a warning message on the driver’s display screen and sends a beep.
Collision Mitigation Braking System
Many Honda Civics come with a collision mitigation braking system. First, the system sends visual and audible warnings that you are in danger of hitting a pedestrian or another vehicle in the road ahead. Then, the system will lightly apply the brakes as the risk of hitting something becomes higher. Finally, the system will brake firmly to mitigate the damage from an unavoidable accident.
Automatic High Beams
Starting with the 2018 Honda Civic, you can find this model with automatic high beams. Honda designed these cars so that the headlights will automatically come on when you unlock the door. Then, in dark areas where you are going over 30 mph, the headlights will automatically toggle between low and high, depending on conditions.
Cross-Traffic Monitoring
Many 2018 and 2019 Honda Civics come with cross-traffic monitoring. This system will alert you if a car is approaching from either direction when the vehicle is in reverse.
Traffic Sign Recognition
Many Honda vehicles with Honda Sensing come with traffic sign recognition. This system uses a small camera mounted in the dash to check for road signs. When it finds one, it displays it in the driver display system and in the heads-up display if your Civic has one.
Low-Speed Follow
When you are using the adaptive cruise control in a Honda Civic, this system allows the vehicle to stay a safe distance from the one ahead of it. The system relies on a camera mounted behind the rearview mirror to operate. If the car in front of you stops, then the adaptive cruise control automatically stops your vehicle. As the vehicle ahead of you starts moving, this system allows your Honda to start moving, too.
Where Can You Find Honda Sensing?
The wonderful features of the Honda Sensing suite on Honda Civic are ones you need to consider. You can find this suite on Honda Civics starting with the 2016 model year. The package is optional on Honda Civic EX, Honda Civic EX-T and Honda Civic EX-L. It’s standard equipment on Honda Civic Touring. For 2017, Honda added it as an option for the Honda Civic LX.
Which Honda Civic Is Right for You?
You can find Honda vehicles with many self-driving features. Most of them are in the Honda Sensing package. The most challenging choice may be deciding which Honda Civic is right for you.
While there are no totally self-driving cars available to consumers as of 2021, you will love the self-driving features found on the Honda Civic. Some of them help you stay in your lane, more easily maintain control and avoid getting a speeding ticket. Others increase the safety of the vehicle when going in reverse. Along with keeping you and your passengers safer, these features add convenience and fun to your driving experience.
