The new “Kid on the block” is a set of advanced safety systems called “ADAS” and it stands for Advanced Drivers Assistance Systems.
Have you noticed all the new safety advancements on today’s newer cars and wondered just how it all works and does it need to be calibrated or serviced?
These newer safety systems work alongside of the older ones we are all familiar with. The older ones are systems like:
- Seat belts
- Safety glass
- Antilock braking
- Tire monitoring systems (TPMS)
- Traction control
- Air bags (SRS)
So what is this "ADAS" thing and how does it work? Is there any required maintenance to these systems?
The ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, are a set of systems made for safety that are designed to work in concert to automate, enhance and improve vehicle safety by letting the driver know about potential problems for avoiding accidents.
The ADAS options your car or truck may have are:
- Surround or 360 cameras
- Forward crash warning
- Lane keeping helping
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Forward Crash Alert
- Lane Departure Warning System
- Automatic Stopping
How does ADAS relate to my cars windshield, mirrors, or the alignment?
Your ADAS system can include a front facing camera that is mounted to the front windshield or grill area when the grill, bumper or the windshield is replaced or an alignment is performed. With the changes in placement when getting a new windshield, grill or bumper repairs, new mirrors or the need for an alignment and the adjustments, can cause differences with the mounting or reference point of the camera and how it relates to its surroundings when you are driving your car plus with differences of glass clarity (the correct glass has to be used or the ADAS system may never allow a calibration). It will be critical to have the camera or any related ADAS devices recalibrated correctly.
After the windshield, alignment or crash repairs on your car or truck that has ADAS, recalibrations have to be done to go through the process of adjusting the settings of the camera, radar or other sensors to get the complete image of the vehicle and how it sees the road, making sure that the in car ADAS system is getting accurate and reliable data form it's sensors. It is critical that the vehicle’s ADAS system is recalibrated anytime there is a change to the windshield, bumpers, grills fenders or mirrors where the ADAS special sensors may be placed by the factory that built and designed your vehicle, or when the car’s steering or suspension has been adjusted or moved, for example, like during an alignment.
Two types of re-calibrations that may be needed:
Static recalibration consists of setting up a vehicle-specific target board at a precise distance from the vehicle and finding the center of the vehicle. The camera is then re-calibrated via the special computer machine connected to the vehicle’s computer and the target board that aligns the vehicle.
Dynamic recalibration involves the hooking up a special computer to the vehicle and preforming a series road test. The road test will then align the vehicle while the scan tool recalibrates the camera. On many vehicles, both a static and a dynamic calibration must be performed.
Fix your lane assist and more
We will recalibrate the camera and sensors connected to your car so your advanced safety features work properly. These features may include things like:
- Lane control/assist
- Forward crash warning
- Lane keeping assistant
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Forward crash Alert
- Lane Departure Warning Systems
- Automatic braking systems
- Surround or 360 camera systems
When Is It Necessary for ADAS Calibration of my Car?
You can count on Craig’s Car Care’s very well-trained and trusted technicians to get your car back to its best after an alignment, a new windshield, or after an accident. That is why we have invested in the training and equipment required to calibrate your car to the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s factory standards. We use the Autel system, a leader in the automotive calibration industry, to ensure the job is done right, so you can have confidence getting back on the road with safety and peace of mind.
What is an ADAS calibration?
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The word calibration is frequently used in the automotive repair and service industry today, but what does it really mean to calibrate my car? To calibrate your car or truck means to teach, adjust, or learn it.
With ADAS Calibration of a car, it refers to the advanced systems that are part of your vehicles safety systems. This means the need for adjusting, aligning, and dialing in the advanced components of the ADAS systems placed throughout your vehicle by the manufacturer.
The ADAS program includes features like "adaptive cruise control", high beam systems, blind spot warnings, antilock brakes, and traction control, lane departure, There are many different forms of ADAS systems. Some of the first versions, such as automatic headlights and wipers, have been around for a many years.
For ADAS functionality to work on your vehicle the cameras, sensors, radars, and other advanced components must be set in the right place and aligned to show the vehicles computer where the car is pointing and going. Craig’s Car Care and the Autel ADAS calibration systems will make sure that these components work to factory standards.
When would Craig's Car Care need to provide an ADAS calibration service?
ADAS calibration services are necessary anytime when:
- Completing repairs after a car crash on a ADAS equipped car. The damage from a vehicle accident could have impacted sensors and cameras. Even if these advanced items just barely moved during a crash, the difference could cause the ADAS to not function. Craig's Car Care trained technicians may also have to replace or repair parts that contain ADAS components, like bumpers or mirrors.
- The ADAS systems had been disconnected for any reason. If disconnecting the ADAS parts or systems for the purpose of repairs, they are required by the car maker to be recalibrated once they are hooked back up.
- When replacing a windshield, the cameras and sensors may be mounted on your windshield or are often built into the glass. When replacing the windshield, it may come with new sensors. But If it doesn't, a trained technician can remove the old cameras and sensors and install them on the new glass. This leads to a need for a calibration of certain ADAS components.
- When performing steering or suspension repairs
- When performing an alignment after steering or suspenion services
How much will it cost to calibrate my car?
The cost to calibrate a car or truck depends on several things, including.
- How many ADAS systems are on your vehicle
- The make, model, and year of your vehicle
- How many ADAS parts must be fixed or replaced
- The sophistication of the calibration job (How long it will take)
Will my insurance help cover car calibration cost?
Some insurance companies can help cover the cost of ADAS calibrations depending if the calibration is from the result of an accident or if the insurance is from a mechanical extended warranty provider. The team at Craig's Car Care center can help you find out more about your specific coverage and help to navigate the process and determine whether you are covered or not. Craig's Car Care is trusted by most major insurance carriers.