Always follow OEM procedures, particularly when calibrating ADAS, to ensure a complete, safe, and high-quality repair. An auto glass shop that needs to repair a (broken windshield) may also need to complete an ADAS calibration procedure. Calibration equipment must be available in the workshop or can be outsourced. There are many other types of glass repair or replacement jobs that can include ADAS calibration.
The article explains when an ADAS calibration is required. The article also provides two important reasons why ADAS calibration procedures should be performed more frequently. One perhaps overlooked but important aspect of correctly calibrating ADAS components is the importance of following OEM specifications to the letter. It also describes when calibration is required and what causes calibration problems for specific parts.
If the calibration of ADAS cameras or radars is only half a degree off the manufacturer’s requirements, what appears “close enough” in the workshop isn’t close enough at all, as the error rate increases with distance. Some ADAS calibration procedures do not require alignment equipment to determine the straight-ahead position of the front wheels. And as someone who writes guides and instructions, I had to find the reason why not following ADAS calibration instructions can have such tragic consequences. ADAS is currently the fastest-growing automotive technology, so you may be looking at calibrations as a rapidly growing opportunity to expand your in-house service offerings.
The more drivers rely on active, automatic ADAS functions, the more workshops need to become experts to calibrate them. While the excuse doesn’t matter, it’s true that ADAS calibrations setup processes are time-consuming and lengthy. For this reason, auto collision shops that offer (windshield repair) and others (auto glass repairs) must be able to perform ADAS calibrations. If the direction of travel, steering wheel direction, and ADA orientation do not match, this may result in poor ADAS performance or, in some cases, individual functions may fail.
As modern vehicles become more advanced, the need for advanced safety features and accurate ADAS calibration is becoming increasingly important.