How Does Forward Collision Warning Work?

If you’ve looked at new Honda models, you’ve come across a list of features known as Honda Sensing. And if you’re a curious kind of person, you might want to delve a little deeper into what exactly that includes. One of those features is Forward Collision Warning.  

What is Forward Collision Warning?

As the name says, it tells you when you’re getting a little too near to traffic directly ahead of you. A visual warning is displayed on the dash as well as an audible warning. And in the event you don’t respond to the warnings, Forward Collision Warning can trigger the Collision Mitigation Braking System, slowing your car by automatically applying brake pressure. (Yes, Collision Mitigation Braking is part of Honda Sensing too.)  

How Does it Work?

Behind your rearview mirror at the top of your windshield, a small camera watched out the front of your Honda. It monitors the road for traffic directly ahead of you. When it detects a vehicle ahead, it keeps track of its distance relative to the speed of travel. If the Forward Collision Warning system detects the traffic is getting closer than is safe, it triggers the audible and visual warnings. If you still don’t respond, it activates the Collision Mitigation Braking System to maintain a safe distance.  

How Does FCW Help?

Unfortunately, there are distractions all around us as we drive. Whether it’s a phone call that comes in, children in the backseat, or other drivers doing silly stuff, we can take our eyes off the road ahead. In just a split second, circumstances can change and what was safe a moment ago is now a potential accident. Forward Collision Warning is meant to help prevent these avoidable accidents. By warning you that you’re too close to traffic ahead, it should draw your attention back to the important task at hand — driving! And if that’s not successful, it will brake for you, helping to prevent an accident.   Keep in mind, you should not rely on FCW or CMBS as a safety device. It’s meant as a driver’s assistance system, and you should always be at attention when you’re behind the wheel.   Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) are available on most new Honda models now. Check out your next Honda — equipped with Honda Sensing — in-store today at Jay Wolfe Honda.