What Is Honda Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)?

If you’re exploring new Hondas for sale or used Hondas for sale and wondering, “What is Road Departure Mitigation System RDM?”, the Vern Eide Honda team in Sioux City, IA has answers!

RDM And The Honda Sensing Suite, Explained

The Honda Road Departure Mitigation System, or RDM, is a driver-assist feature from the Honda Sensing® suite that’s designed to enhance driver awareness and safety on Iowa’s roadways. RDM can provide moderate steering assistance if your vehicle crosses detected lane markings without a turn signal, bringing you back to the center of your lane, and can even apply the brakes to help your vehicle from leaving the road completely. Join Vern Eide Honda Sioux City as our staff explains how the Road Departure Mitigation System works, RDM versus LKAS, and which Honda models have RDM.

How Does Honda RDM Work?

Honda’s Road Departure Mitigation System uses a windshield-mounted camera to detect lane markings. If your vehicle begins to leave a detected lane without signaling, a visual alert will appear in the instrument panel and the steering wheel will vibrate.

Additionally, the electric power steering will help prevent your Honda from unintentionally drifting over lane markings on the edge of the road. If RDM determines that steering input alone will not keep your vehicle on the road the system can also apply braking—provided lane markings are visible.

Customize the RDM Settings

How do you customize the settings of the Road Mitigation Departure System? Below, is a step-by-step guide locating the RDM menu and adjusting the settings:

1. Press the info button on the left-hand side of the steering wheel.
2. Press the up or down arrow buttons until “Vehicle Settings” appears in the instrument panel and then press the ENTER button.
3. Using the up and down arrow buttons, scroll through the menus until “Driver Assist System Setup” appears in the instrument panel and press the ENTER button.
4. Once again, using the up and down arrow buttons, scroll until you find “Road Departure Mitigation Setting” and press the ENTER button.
5. Choose from Normal, Wide, or Warning Only.
   • Normal: RDM will work as intended.
   • Wide: Changes the point at which the system will begin steering assistance.
   • Warning Only: Visual and tactile alerts only with no steering input or braking.
6. Using the up and down arrow buttons, scroll until you see “Exit” in the instrument panel and press the ENTER button.

Honda RDM vs. LKAS

What is the difference between Honda RDM and LKAS? While these Honda Sensing features may seem similar, they do have a few distinct differences. For instance, while the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) is designed to keep your vehicle centered in a detected lane, RDM will help prevent you from drifting out of a lane and/or off the road entirely, with the goal of preventing a collision. The driver is always in control of their Honda vehicle, but notifications and alerts such as Road Departure Mitigation actively assist the driver in keeping the road safe for everyone.

RDM vs. LKAS: Settings and Configuration Differences

Another significant difference between these two driver-assist features is LKAS needs to be activated manually while RDM can be kept on all the time. RDM has a toggle switch that retains its setting regardless of the vehicle being turned off and you can adjust its sensitivity in the settings menus. Meanwhile, LKAS has a steering wheel switch that must be re-enabled each time your vehicle is started.

Which Honda Models Have RDM?

Why are Honda SUVs, cars, minivans, and trucks considered to be some of the best cars for families? The automaker’s commitment to safety is stronger than ever, as almost every new Honda vehicle is now standard equipped with the Honda Sensing suite and Road Departure Mitigation.

One of the many reasons why Honda vehicles win so many industry awards is because of Honda’s relentless focus on safety. Honda wants all drivers to experience safe journeys on our roadways and innovations in safety, including RDM, make Honda vehicles some of the safest on the road today, based on the number of Honda models that have been awarded Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Do you have questions about Honda RDM or need assistance getting started with RDM or any of the Honda Sensing features? Stop by our Vern Eide Honda dealer in Sioux City, IA, give us a call, or fill in the contact form and one of our professionals will connect with you!

Read More About Honda Sensing Technologies

Access the links below to learn more about the advanced safety features and driver-assist technologies from the Honda Sensing suite.

• Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)