Taking care of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is essential to ensure that these critical safety features continue to function properly. Regular maintenance starts with keeping sensors and cameras clean and free of debris, as dirt or road grime can obstruct their view and affect the accuracy of systems like lane departure warnings or adaptive cruise control. Windshields with integrated cameras should be treated with care, avoiding harsh cleaning materials or excessive pressure that could misalign the sensors. It’s also important to avoid modifying the vehicle in ways that could interfere with ADAS components, such as changing the front grille where radar sensors are located.

Automatic Carwashes

Some ADAS technologies can be affected or damaged by automatic car washes, particularly those with harsh brushes or high-pressure water jets. Cameras, sensors, and radars used in systems like adaptive cruise control, parking assistance, and lane-keeping assistance are often located on or near the exterior surfaces of the vehicle, such as the front and rear bumpers, side mirrors, and windshields. The force from aggressive brushes or pressure washers can potentially misalign or damage these sensors, causing malfunctions or reduced accuracy in ADAS features.

Seasons

Seasonal effects like road salt, ice, hail, and other weather-related factors can significantly impact the performance and longevity of ADAS technologies. Road salt used in winter conditions can accumulate on cameras, radar sensors, and lidar systems, especially on the front and rear bumpers, windshield, and side mirrors where many ADAS components are housed. This buildup can obstruct sensors, leading to inaccurate readings or temporarily disabling features like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, or collision detection. Regular cleaning of the sensors, especially after driving on salted roads, is crucial to maintain their functionality.

Hailstorms

Hailstorms and extreme weather conditions can also cause direct physical damage to ADAS components, such as cracking or scratching the windshield where cameras are mounted, or denting the areas around radar sensors. Even a small misalignment caused by hail impact can lead to malfunctions in ADAS systems. Ice accumulation is another concern, particularly if it forms over cameras or sensors, blocking their view of the road. In colder climates, it’s essential to gently remove ice and snow from the vehicle’s sensors to ensure they continue functioning properly. In all seasons, regular inspection and maintenance of ADAS components are critical to ensuring they operate reliably, especially after extreme weather events.

Collisions

Another key aspect of maintaining ADAS technology is ensuring that it’s properly recalibrated after any repairs or replacements, particularly for windshields. Even minor accidents or windshield replacements can cause sensors and cameras to become misaligned, leading to inaccurate readings or system failures. After any such repair, it’s important to visit a specialized ADAS service center to perform a full calibration to restore the systems to their original settings. Regular vehicle inspections and diagnostics by professionals can help identify potential issues early and keep ADAS features running smoothly, ensuring that your vehicle continues to provide maximum safety and assistance on the road.