WHAT IS ADAS CALIBRATION?

ADAS calibration involves aligning these sensing devices in your car so that they function properly. A dynamic calibration process will require the technician to take your car out for a drive, while a static calibration process uses specialist tools to calibrate the ADAS while your car is stationary.

According to every manufacturer, it is mandatory to recalibrate your ADAS during the following scenarios:

• Windshield replacement

• Collision

• Replacement change in tires or ride height

• ADAS lights are on or flashing

Increasing numbers of new cars are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Some of the more common ones include:

• Forward collision warning

• Automatic emergency braking

• Adaptive cruise control

• Lane departure warning

• Lane keeping assist

• Blind spot monitoring

• Rear cross traffic alert

• Parking assist/self-parking

• Adaptive headlights that steer with the vehicle

• Automatic headlight high-beam activation and dimming

Sensor Calibration

ADAS sensor calibration is required whenever a sensor’s aiming is disturbed in any way. This can occur in a collision, even a minor fender bender, or be a byproduct of common service work such as windshield replacement, suspension repairs or wheel alignment. Calibration is also called for whenever a sensor or its mounting bracket is removed and replaced, there is a change in tire size, a front airbag deploys and deflects off the windshield, or repairs are made to a car roof that has a sensor bracket mounted to it. Finally, sensor calibration is necessary when there is a related DTC in the car’s computer memory, or an automaker releases a technical service bulletin with instructions that calibration be done as part of another repair.

Sensor replacement and calibration are frequently part of collision repairs. Automakers recommend that body shops now perform a complete diagnostic scan on every vehicle before repairs are begun, and then again after the job is complete. Doing so will help the auto body shop better understand the scope of any problems before work starts, and then confirm that all issues have been resolved, ADAS sensor calibrations are complete, and the vehicle control systems are communicating properly before the car is returned to the customer.