Post-Collision ADAS calibration – A must for safe repairs!
- Aarons AutoGlass
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
From Minor Bumps to Major Crashes: Know When to Recalibrate your Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Whenever your vehicle experiences a collision, no matter how slight, it’s crucial to recalibrate the ADAS components for your safety. These systems rely on precise sensor alignment, which can be disrupted when your vehicle absorbs impact forces. These forces often lead to shifts in sensor positions or damage to their mounts. Additionally, the repair process itself—such as replacing a windshield—can further disturb these sensors.
Neglecting to recalibrate after completing repair work can result in a false sense of security, leaving the driver with a system that may fail when it’s crucial. In a recent research project conducted by Ascential Technologies, researchers found that nearly three out of four drivers (75%) who had repairs due to crash damage reported problems with their ADAS afterward.
How a Misaligned Camera or Sensor can Affect your ADAS System
Even a slight misalignment in a camera or sensor can greatly affect the functionality of your ADAS. These systems depend on accurately aligned sensors to correctly interpret the vehicle’s surroundings. For example a forward-facing camera that's slightly off-angle could misjudge the distance between you and another car, leading to false alarms or, worse, failing to issue a warning of an impending collision altogether. A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showed that when a vehicle's camera was misaligned by only 0.6 degrees, the reaction time for braking was reduced by 60%, from 1.5 seconds to 0.9 seconds, causing the vehicle to collide with the target.
Inaccurate sensor alignment can also alter the performance of adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, and automatic emergency braking systems. These systems are designed to enhance safety, but their efficacy drops dramatically if they aren't reading the data correctly. For instance, an improperly calibrated lane-keeping assist may not accurately monitor the lane lines, causing it to either issue excessive warnings or fail to provide alerts when you're drifting out of your lane.
Windshield cameras and radar sensors are particularly susceptible to changes and need to be recalibrated when windshields are replaced or repaired. Similarly, side sensors for blind-spot detection can give misleading information if they're misaligned, potentially missing a vehicle in adjacent lanes.
The Importance of Recalibration
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are crucial for enhancing vehicle safety by providing features such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. These systems rely on an array of sensors, cameras, and radar equipment that must be precisely aligned to function correctly.
Following a collision, However minor, these components can be misaligned, potentially compromising the vehicle’s safety features. Therefore, recalibration after any kind of impact is not merely a recommendation but a necessity for ensuring the systems continue to operate as intended.
Identifying When Recalibration is Needed
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems have become integral components in modern vehicles, enhancing safety and improving driving experiences. However, any misalignment or faulty input can lead to consequences that counteract the purpose of these systems, making them as vital to recalibrate as they are to maintain in the first place. If you notice irregularities in lane-keeping assistance, warning signals, or cruise control, it might be a sign that recalibration is needed.
Recognizing the Impact
Minor Bumps: Everyday occurrences like a parking mishap or hitting a curb might seem inconsequential, but they can affect the calibration of systems such as parking sensors or cameras. Changes in vehicle alignment, even if minimal, can lead to miscalibrated sensors which may not perform correctly, thereby increasing the risk of collisions.
Moderate Incidents: If your vehicle has sustained noticeable dents or has had parts replaced like your windshield, bumpers or side mirrors, recalibration of ADAS becomes necessary. Systems such as blind spot monitoring or rearview cameras might not provide accurate information due to sensor displacement during these repairs.
Major Collisions: Following a significant accident, recalibrating ADAS systems is non-negotiable. In such collisions, multiple sensor arrays like those found
Regular Inspection and Upkeep
Maintaining your ADAS system involves regular inspection and upkeep to ensure that each component is functioning at its peak. Follow these best practices to keep your system reliable:
Routine Checks: Integrate regular ADAS checks into your vehicle maintenance routine. This helps to catch any subtle shifts in alignment or issues with sensor functionality before they become major problems. Many service centers offer specific diagnostic tests for ADAS components.
Stay Informed: Keep abreast of manufacturer updates or recalls related to your vehicle’s ADAS. Regular software updates can often enhance system performance and address any known issues.
Professional Adjustments: Rely on trained professionals for recalibration and repairs. Also know that your options are not limited to just collision repair shops. The certified and highly trained technicians at Aaron's AutoGlass use genuine OEM calibration equipment and can perform static calibration and dynamic calibration.
Environmental Considerations
Understanding how environmental factors can impact your ADAS is crucial:
Weather Conditions: Extreme weather conditions, such as snow, rain, or fog, can affect sensor performance. Make sure your cameras and sensors are clean and free of obstructions. Conducting regular checks can ensure that weather conditions have not misaligned or damaged components like your blind spot sensor, park assist sensors, or other important ADAS systems.
The Recalibration Process
The process begins with a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to identify which systems and sensors have been compromised post-collision. Technicians use specialized diagnostic equipment to assess the state of the ADAS. This evaluation involves connecting the vehicle’s onboard systems to diagnostic tools that can read fault codes, check the alignment of sensors, and verify the operational integrity of cameras and radar systems. Technicians will typically perform this evaluation in a controlled environment to ensure that external factors do not influence the results.
Calibration Adjustments
Once the diagnostic evaluation is complete, the next step involves making the necessary adjustments to bring all systems back to their optimal operational state. Depending on the extent of the misalignment or damage, this might involve:
Physical Repositioning: Adjusting the physical positioning of cameras and sensors to their designated factory settings.
Software Updates: Ensuring the ADAS software is updated to the latest versions to enhance compatibility and performance.
Calibration Targets: Using specific calibration targets and patterns, technicians adjust the ADAS systems to ensure they properly recognize objects on the road. These targets mimic real-world scenarios, helping recalibrate the systems accurately.
Technicians must adhere to manufacturer specifications and guidelines throughout the recalibration process to ensure precision. Each vehicle manufacturer might have different procedures and requirements based on the make and model of the car, as well as the specific ADAS systems installed. Failure to follow these instructions accurately can lead to improper functioning or even failure of the ADAS, compromising safety.
At Aaron's AutoGlass, we exclusively calibrate ADAS systems specifically for windshield repairs and replacements done in our shop. Additionally, we take pride in educating our customers about their vehicle's crucial safety features. Learn more about our ADAS Calibration Service at Aaron's AutoGlass.
Reference Sources:
ADAS Collision Prevention Whitepaper: https://testandmeasure.ascentialtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ADAS-Collision-Prevention-Whitepaper_V3-1.pdf
