When we look at the automotive industry today, most vehicles on the road have some sort of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) component on them.
In this article published by Counterpoint in Q2 2022, The percentage of vehicles with greater than Level 0 Autonomy was more than 70%, and “ADAS penetration is expected to cross 80% in the US by 2023.”
So what is all of the confusion about when it comes to ADAS Technology when repairs are needed for your vehicle?
Well, it’s complicated because the repairs to ADAS Technology are not simple and vary based on the damages to the vehicle and how the ADAS technology communicates with other components and your vehicles computer system.
We can start by breaking down the 3 key areas that focus on repairs to the ADAS Systems: Scanning/Diagnostics, Programming and Calibration.
Scanning/Diagnostics consists of connecting a special scan tool to your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD) system. This scanner will scan the vehicles “computer system” to determine if any DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) are providing errors on your vehicle. Common DTCs that can be seen will display as dash lights. However, there are many DTCs stored in the onboard diagnostics (OBD) system that do not display visible notification. When scanning the vehicle, the scan report will display all codes and their status. “Clearing Codes” is a term that often refers to resetting the DTC’s to clear codes for items that have been reset and corrected. However…
What if a DTC is not cleared? Many Collision Centers do not have a trained resource that can diagnose failed trouble codes. There is a lot of analysis required to research why a DTC can not be cleared or reset. Sometimes DTC’s require Programming, or even replacement.
Programming refers to programming or reprogramming a module to communicate with the vehicle. In many cases, this may be because a new module installed on the vehicle needs to be told to communicate with the vehicle, or vice versa. Programming requires skilled technicians to conduct the reprogramming. Once the programming has been completed a scan will confirm that it was reprogrammed properly. This is typically referred to as an in-process scan and occurs during the repair or calibration process.
Calibration is a separate function altogether that is the process of re-aiming a camera, sensor or radar module that has been disrupted during the repair process. Calibrations that are required are determined by the manufacturer and it is critical to follow their recommendations, guidelines and/or instructions during the calibration. Calibrations may be dynamic, where the vehicle is driven meeting the conditions required to properly calibrate the ADAS components. Other calibrations may be Static. Static Calibrations require proper tooling to be successful. This includes environmental conditions such as level floor, proper lighting, lack of obstructions, etc. They also require equipment based on the calibration that is required such as target boards, target mats, radar cones, etc.
Calibration is critical for ensuring that ADAS components are functioning properly and pointing in the direction that is required per the manufacturer. The ADAS components should properly function to alert the driver of any safety issues and prevent any mishandling of the vehicle, as designed by the manufacturer. Assuming that components that have been disrupted during a repair are functioning correctly, or do not need a calibration is a common misconception in the automotive industry.
As a personal example of a vehicle needing calibration, and knowing it right away; my husband and I recently travelled to visit my son. We flew and so we rented a vehicle when we got to the airport. As we were driving, we were in a vehicle that has several ADAS Components. Outside of the cameras, it had adaptive cruise control, to slow us down for vehicles in front of us while in cruise control. And it also had lane keep assist. So while engaged, it would keep us between the lanes on the road. As we left the airport area and got on the interstate, my husband engaged the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. While in the left lane, the lane keep assist wanted to place the vehicle with me (the passenger) over the center line. There were no dash warnings or lights or indicators stating that there was a problem with the lane keep assist, but obviously the sensors were not calibrated properly to center the vehicle within the lines. Hence… this vehicle needed a calibration… and bad!
Scanning is NOT Calibrating! Just because a vehicle was scanned and does not have any DTC’s or codes saying something is wrong, does not mean that it does not need a calibration. In my example, I have no doubt that the sensors were working properly, they were keeping us in a specific place. Just not in the right place on the road, between the lanes. The sensors, radars and cameras are not smart. They have to be aimed and calibrated correctly in order to work properly. I still have a printer/scanner, it reminds me of calibrating my printer for scanning a document, or the printer heads for printing properly. We do the calibration when everything is working, to make sure it’s working as it should. Lined up, picking up the correct area for the document, printing the colors in the right place when printing a picture, etc. Just because my printer is on, has ink and paper, doesn’t mean it’s smart enough to place the ink correctly. Similar to the ADAS functionality on a vehicle.
Examples:
Below are just a few examples on when and why calibration is so important!
Collision Repair: When your vehicle has been in an accident, if any of the areas with sensors, cameras or radars have been repaired, even the thickness of the paint can throw off an existing calibration. If a sensor has been shaken or moved in any way, it needs to be re-aimed in the right direction to properly find your blind spot, to keep you in your lane, to properly slow down with your adaptive cruise control, etc. While we can all see several ADAS components on vehicles with the human eye, there are still several ADAS components that are hidden inside and behind panels. Calibration is critical to make sure that they are properly identifying obstacles as designed.
Windshield Replacement: When your vehicle needs a new windshield, a calibration is required for any ADAS components that are looking through that windshield. If there are any variations in the glass, such as thickness, angle, etc, the calibration will ensure that the camera’s, radar or sensors are accounting for the new glass and functioning properly.
Alignment: Many manufacturers require a calibration after an alignment. They also require an alignment check prior to a calibration. Altering the vehicles ride in any way can also throw off these sensors that we rely on to keep our family safe inside the vehicle, and all of those around us.
Ride Height Change: Having a lifted vehicle is pretty fun! But if your backup sensor doesn’t detect the person walking behind your vehicle because the sensor hasn’t been adjusted to look down, everyone is at risk.
So how do I ensure that my vehicle is being calibrated properly?
A proper calibration environment and trained calibration technicians are key! Manufacturers and Repairers agree that this can be the most challenging part of implementing calibration in their centers. That is why ADAS Solutions USA is focused on a business model of providing Static Calibration Centers that meet the needs for proper calibrations that have level floors to ensure a level car at the time of calibration. Proper lighting to ensure there are not glaring obstacles that could interfere with successful calibration. And a large enough space to complete calibrations for vehicles that require a large footprint to complete a successful calibration. Our technicians are properly trained and have the needed tooling for diagnostics, programming, calibration and even alignment!
As you can see, Calibration isn’t simple. Not only is every car different in the procedures to complete a calibration, but the circumstances requiring a calibration vary greatly as well. Not to mention the diagnostics and programming that may be required before successfully calibrating a vehicle.