The Cost of Neglecting ADAS Calibration
Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are revolutionizing vehicle safety, offering features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The heart of these systems is ADAS calibration, which is crucial for their functionality and reliability.
According to Injury Facts, ADAS technologies could prevent 20,841 deaths each year, representing approximately 62% of total traffic fatalities. Given the immense potential for saving lives, the precision of ADAS calibration isn't just a technicality — it's a critical necessity. Neglecting the need for calibration could cost you dearly, both financially and in terms of safety.
Why Calibration is Non-Negotiable
ADAS systems rely on many sensors meticulously positioned on your vehicle, and their optimal functionality is non-negotiable.
Many of these are mounted on the windshield, acting as the vehicle's eyes and ears. A minor misalignment can significantly impair these sensors’ functionality. This could drastically reduce the accuracy of essential safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
When Calibrations Might Be Required:
- After a collision: The force of impact, regardless of how minimal, could have shifted the sensors, affecting their accuracy and performance.
- Following a windshield replacement: Installing a new windshield could be followed by calibration to confirm the sensors' alignment is still correct.
- Post-suspension repairs: Any adjustments to your vehicle’s height or angle can throw off the sensor calibration, necessitating a calibration.
- After wheel alignments: To ensure that the vehicle's adjusted direction does not misalign the sensors.
These sensors are so precise that a single degree of misalignment can skew their focus, affecting the system's performance in crucial situations.
The Dangers of Neglecting ADAS Calibration
Neglecting ADAS calibration compromises your vehicle's safety features, potentially leading to dangerous situations on the road. For instance, a misaligned sensor could fail to detect obstacles, misjudge distances, or inaccurately perceive the vehicle’s position. These issues might result in incorrect emergency responses, such as failing to brake for an impending collision or steering into the wrong lane. These systems demand precision; even a slight misalignment can have significant consequences.
Symptoms of Malfunctioning Sensors
When calibration is neglected, various warning signs can emerge:
- Unpredictable Braking: A miscalibrated ADAS can result in your automatic emergency braking system either engaging when it's not required or failing to activate in critical situations. This can be especially hazardous in high-speed or heavy-traffic conditions where precise braking is essential.
- Erroneous Alerts: Incorrect calibration can cause your ADAS to issue false or misleading warnings, such as lane departure alerts when you're actually within your lane. These false alarms distract the driver and can lead to unnecessary evasive maneuvers, creating an unsafe driving environment.
- Skewed Distance and Speed Calculations: Features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist rely on accurate sensor data to function correctly. When ADAS is out of calibration, these systems may misjudge distances between vehicles or the speed at which you're traveling, causing erratic behavior that can compromise safety.
The fallout from ignoring these warning signs can be grave, often leading to hazardous driving conditions. Warning lights or unusual vehicle behavior should prompt immediate calibration checks.
The Repercussions of Neglecting Calibration
Financial Costs and Insurance
It's essential to weigh the cost of ADAS calibration against the potential risks of neglecting this critical service. While it's tempting to dismiss the need for routine ADAS calibration due to cost considerations, doing so could be a major financial misstep. Investing in calibration today could save you from higher expenses down the line. A malfunctioning ADAS can result in accidents that would be exponentially costlier than calibration services.
What's At Stake: Your Safety
Steering away from costs, what's really at stake is the well-being of everyone in the car and on the road.
ADAS is engineered to enhance vehicle safety. However, for it to be your reliable co-pilot, it needs to be finely tuned. When calibration is overlooked, the consequences can vary from mild annoyances to critical errors. Imagine your vehicle making abrupt stops, veering off course, or failing to respond during crucial moments.
That's precisely where Caliber's expertise becomes invaluable. With our deep understanding of ADAS, we ensure that your safety is never compromised.
Why Choose Caliber for Windshield related ADAS Calibration
At Caliber Auto Glass, we're Clearing the Way Forward® to ensure your vehicle's safety systems are calibrated to manufacturer specifications. Our work is backed by a limited lifetime warranty — a testament to our commitment to safety and quality. Here's why we stand out:
- Comprehensive auto glass services
- Locations in 23 states
- Mobile repair services
- AGSC-certified technicians
- Approved by all major insurance companies
Conclusion
ADAS calibration is a non-negotiable safety measure and proper calibration becomes crucial as vehicles become more complex and laden with safety features.
Research shows that by 2030, vehicles with Level 4/5 automation will be 76% less likely to be involved in traffic incidents, thanks to precise ADAS functionality..
Count on Caliber Auto Glass to calibrate your vehicle's windshield related ADAS systems accurately. If you’re needing a glass repair, replacement and calibration, click here for a free estimate and our team will be ready to answer any additional questions.