The Honda Accord: a blend of comfort, reliability, and hidden potential. Who has time to read the entire manual these days?
Skip the hassle and jump straight to the good stuff.
These 18 often-overlooked Accord features will add convenience and enjoyment to your daily drives, making a great car even better.
1. Peek Under the Hood from Your Dashboard
Your Accord has a hidden diagnostic menu that provides detailed information about its systems. To access this menu, press and hold the "Return," "Home," and "Card" buttons on the center console simultaneously.
This will bring up "Self-Diagnosis Mode." In this mode, you can view technical details about various car functions, such as the audio system, temperature readings, and more.
You can also perform an "Audio Check" to test each speaker or adjust settings like the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). These features help you monitor your Accord's performance or identify potential issues.
Be cautious when navigating this menu, as it contains advanced settings intended for technicians. Do not adjust anything unless you know what it does.
2. Secret Storage Spaces
Your Accord is full of surprises when it comes to storage. Lift the passenger-side floor mat, and you'll spot a small compartment near the frame number. It's just right for tucking away a wallet or important papers.
The rear console holds another secret - pop off the panel under the armrest to reveal a soft-lined nook for larger items.
Behind the front passenger seat, there's a sneaky little pocket in the side flap that's perfect for small essentials you want to keep handy.
Even the cup holders have a trick up their sleeve. Push down on the bottom panel in the center console and watch as they extend upwards to fit bigger bottles.
3. Trunk Lockdown
Ever worried about someone snooping in your trunk? Your Accord's got a neat trick for that. There's a little switch hiding in your glove box that's like a master lock for your trunk.
Flip it on, and suddenly, those trunk release buttons on the lid and your key fob go quiet.
Even the dashboard opener takes a nap. It's perfect for those times when you've got something valuable stashed back there and want to keep it extra safe.
4. Smart Functions of the Emergency Brake
The Accord's emergency brake has features that make it easier to use in sudden situations. One lesser-known function is the auto-release. After engaging the brake, start the car, buckle up, shift to "Drive," and press the gas.
The brake releases on its own, helping you get moving without extra steps.
Another handy feature is automatic activation when exiting. If the car is in "Drive" and you unbuckle and step out, the brake engages by itself.
This prevents any chance of rolling away, making quick stops more secure and stress-free.
Discover whether your Honda Accord can be flat towed and what precautions to take.
5. Personalizing Driver Attention Alerts
The Accord's Driver Attention Monitor lets you customize alerts to match your driving needs. To set it up, go to the Vehicle Settings menu on the infotainment screen.
Here, you can select how you want to receive alerts—tactile feedback, audible chimes, or both. This way, you choose how the system notifies you of drowsy or inattentive driving, keeping distractions to a minimum.
For longer highway drives, a gentle vibration might work best, while a chime could be more useful in city traffic.
6. Customizing Maintenance Minder Alerts
The Accord's Maintenance Minder system allows you to set maintenance alerts based on your driving habits.
To adjust these settings, switch the power mode to ON and use the right selector wheel on the steering wheel to access the Maintenance Minder screen. From here, you can reset or change maintenance intervals to match your needs.
If you often drive in tough conditions, consider setting shorter intervals for oil changes and other services.
Learn what to do if your Honda Accord gets stuck in park and how to resolve the issue quickly.
7. Customizing Interior Ambient Lighting
The Accord's ambient lighting feature lets you adjust the interior lighting to suit your preferences.
To change the lighting, navigate to "Settings" on the infotainment screen, select “Vehicle,” then “Lighting,” and choose “Interior Illumination.”
You can then pick from various colors to match your style or needs. Whether it's a calming blue for a relaxed drive or a brighter tone for better visibility, the choice is yours.
8. Setting Up Driver Profiles
The Accord allows you to set up driver profiles to save personal settings for each driver. To create a profile, go to the settings menu on the infotainment screen and select "Driver Profiles."
Each profile can store settings for seat position, mirrors, and climate control. Once you create a profile, link it to a specific key fob.
When a driver with a linked key fob approaches the car, it automatically adjusts to their saved preferences. This feature helps avoid constant manual adjustments, making driving smoother for households with multiple drivers.
Find out what to do if your Accord key gets stuck in the ignition to avoid any unwanted hassle.
9. Using Remote Start for Climate Control
The Accord's remote start lets you manage the cabin temperature before you get in. To use it, set your preferred climate settings in advance. You can activate the remote start with the HondaLink app or the key fob.
Once triggered, the system adjusts the interior to your chosen temperature, whether cooling it down on a hot day or warming it up in the cold.
If your climate control system needs a reset, here’s a guide on how to get it back on track.
10. Personalizing Your Accord's Dashboard
You can customize the Accord's dashboard to display only what you need. To tidy up the audio sources, roll the left selector wheel to "Customize Display" and choose "Hide/show." This way, only your preferred sources show up.
To change the gauge style, use the right-hand wheel to find "Display Gauge Settings." From there, choose between options like Round or Bar.
This quick adjustment changes the look of your display. You can also choose what info shows on either side of the display.
Press the right selector wheel, go to "Gauge Display Settings," and select "Hide/show" to keep only essential details visible.
11. Adjusting Adaptive and Stability Settings
The Accord provides fine-tuning options for both adaptive features and stability controls. Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow can be set up by using the cruise control buttons and making adjustments on the infotainment screen.
The Traffic Sign Recognition System, which uses a front camera to display road signs on your dashboard, is accessible from the settings menu.
For managing traction, the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) allows you to toggle "Reduce traction control" on or off with the right selector wheel, which is particularly helpful in challenging conditions like snow or mud.
Learn how to turn off the VSA light on your Accord for better control of your vehicle’s stability features.
12. Navigating with Pinch-to-Zoom
The Accord’s navigation system offers a pinch-to-zoom feature for better map control. To use it, open the navigation screen and pinch with two fingers to zoom in or spread them to zoom out.
This allows you to examine your route more closely, view more details about your location, or quickly find nearby spots like gas stations or restaurants. Adjusting the map this way helps you navigate more effectively while driving.
13. Using Voice Commands and Siri
The Accord's voice command system lets you control functions without touching any buttons. To use it, press the voice command button on the steering wheel and give instructions like “Set temperature to 70” or “Play driving playlist.”
Make sure your phone is connected via Bluetooth or USB for full access. Siri Eyes Free is available for iPhone users. When connected to Bluetooth, just press the (Talk) button on the wheel.
This allows you to send messages or control music through Siri without looking at your phone.
See how you can start your Accord with or without a key for added convenience in unexpected situations.
14. Adjusting Speed-Volume Compensation
The Accord’s Speed Volume Compensation (SVC) feature changes the audio volume based on your speed.
To adjust the SVC settings, press the MENU button on the audio system, go to "Sound Settings," and choose your preferred adjustment level. You can set it higher for louder audio on highways or lower for quieter roads.
This allows you to control how much the volume changes as you drive, making it easier to hear music or calls at different speeds.
15. Optimizing Wireless Charging
The Accord's wireless charging pad makes it easy to charge your phone while driving, but correct positioning is key. Place your phone on the marked area of the pad, aligning it with the charging indicator.
If charging is slow or inconsistent, adjust the phone’s placement or remove thick cases that might interfere with the connection.
16. Adjusting the Rear Seat Recline
The Accord’s reclining rear seats add extra comfort for passengers, especially on long drives. To recline the seats, locate the lever on the side of the rear seat and pull it to adjust to the preferred angle.
This feature lets passengers set their ideal position, making long trips more relaxed and comfortable.
17. Using a USB Drive for Music
The Accord’s audio system lets you play music directly from a USB flash drive, perfect for enjoying a digital music collection without using your phone.
To set it up, insert the USB drive into the port and press the MEDIA button on the dashboard. The system supports formats like MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, and WAV.
You can easily browse through folders and tracks with the selector knob to find your favorite tunes.
18. Controlling the Auto Idle Stop
The Accord’s Auto Idle Stop feature can be disabled when it doesn’t meet your driving needs. To do so, press the 'Auto Idle Stop' button on the dashboard.
This keeps the engine running when you’re stopped, such as at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. This option is useful in situations where constant engine restarts are disruptive, like in busy city traffic or during short stops.
It also helps maintain cabin warmth in cold weather without interruptions.
Know exactly how far you can drive when the gas light turns on in your Accord.
Maximize Your Accord Experience
By exploring these hidden features and customization options, you can transform your Accord into a car that truly fits your needs and style.
From hidden storage spots to advanced safety settings, each tip offers a way to make your daily drives more convenient, comfortable, and personalized.
Take advantage of these lesser-known capabilities and unlock the full potential of your Honda Accord for a driving experience that’s uniquely yours.
For even more essential tips and tricks, check out these 10 things every Honda Accord owner should know.