Advanced Diagnostics: Understanding how your vehicle has changed

In the ever-evolving landscape of vehicle technology, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) have emerged as a remarkable milestone to make vehicles and roadways safer. These systems, designed to enhance drivers’ reaction times to hazards, have fundamentally transformed the driving experience for many people.

According to Injury Facts, advances to ADAS technologies could prevent 20,841 deaths per year or roughly 62 percent of total traffic deaths. Furthermore, lane keeping assist technology accounts for 14,844 of these savings, while pedestrian automatic braking accounts for another 4,106 lives saved.

However, like any sophisticated technology, ADAS requires regular monitoring and maintenance. ADAS calibrations, are one of the most critical aspects for optimal performance, that cannot be overlooked when vehicles are serviced.

Read on to learn more about how proper repair and maintenance assures you and your family’s safety.

Understanding ADAS Calibration

Think of ADAS as the intelligent co-driver in your vehicle that helps your vehicle anticipate potential road hazards. It encompasses various systems, including:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Traffic sign recognition
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane keeping assist

These technologies rely on a network of sensors, to provide real-time data that influences the vehicle's actions. When windshields are equipped with these features, Caliber Auto Glass has the technicians and tools ready to restore your vehicle’s ADAS to manufacturer’s guidelines. Our technicians ensure that these sensors are aligned correctly and interpret roadway hazards so your vehicle can warn the driver and react to potential hazards accurately.

Your vehicle is exposed to hazards every day. From potholes, suspension repairs, windshield replacements and collisions. When an event occurs that requires repairing or replacing parts of your vehicle, the ADAS sensors may need to be calibrated or aligned to work properly after these repairs are made. These calibrations verify all the components are working as the vehicle manufacturer originally intended. Some ADAS systems warn drivers of potential road hazards by using passive systems such as a sound or illumination on the vehicle dash and in some cases a vibration in your steering wheel or seat could warn you. Active systems provide the same types of warnings but the vehicle may also take action such as steering back into your lane or applying brakes to prevent an unfortunate incident. Ensuring active and passive warning systems are operating as the manufacturer intended are important to keeping drivers and their passengers safe. Depending on the vehicle’s year, make and model, its front facing camera could require a calibration after a windshield replacement. This ensures the camera is angled and aimed correctly at the road and that the vehicle software operates as designed. The camera works with safety systems that help improve your reaction time by preventing you from leaving your lane and could assist in braking when hazards appear in front of you. In the case that a driver is not paying attention, the vehicle will completely come to a stop on its own to prevent a collision.

Why Experience Matters?

Before repairs are started on your vehicle a technician will perform a pre-scan on your vehicle's electronics. This is similar to finding out why the check engine light or any other warning light shows up on your dash. A scan tool is plugged into a port below your steering column to see what is going on inside your vehicle. While you drive your vehicle, it starts storing fault codes so that a technician can assess them and diagnose what is going on and follow up on these issues. Each code points to a specific spot or system showing concerns or faults. These are referred to as diagnostic trouble codes or DTC’s.

Why Calibration Matters

You might wonder: What happens if ADAS is not calibrated? The simple answer is that your vehicle's Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems may not function as intended. For instance, an incorrectly calibrated lane departure warning system could either miss detecting lane markings or give false alarms. Similarly, a misaligned automatic emergency braking system sensor could delay braking or engage brakes unnecessarily. Simply put, incorrect calibration can compromise the vehicle’s ability to detail and react to potential road hazards.

Methods of ADAS Calibration

After the Pre-scan is complete. There are primarily two methods of ADAS calibration depending on vehicle manufacturer, year, make and model:

  1. Static Calibration: This process involves placing the vehicle in a controlled environment with specific targets that the ADAS sensors recognize. A scan tool is used to set the car into a relearning process or calibration. This sets the computer and sensors to “see” correctly.
  2. Dynamic Calibration: This is performed by driving the vehicle on the road. The sensors calibrate by analyzing real-time data from the surroundings such as other vehicles and roadway signage.

Both methods have their own advantages and drawbacks. With dynamic calibrations weather plays a big role in success or failure of a calibration.

There are some factors impacting when a calibration cannot be done such as vehicle modifications such as suspension lift kits or lowering kits as well as vehicle modifications not from the vehicle factory. In these cases, a shop will offer owners options on how to proceed to have completed.

The Caliber Way: Resolving Calibration Concerns

At Caliber Auto Glass, we're more than just your go-to for auto glass repairs and replacements — we're also experts in windshield related calibrations. Our AGSC-certified team is fully equipped with the latest diagnostic tools and specialized software to ensure precise ADAS calibration. We back our work with a national limited lifetime warranty for as long as you own your vehicle.

Conclusion

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are more than just high-tech perks; they're vital components that elevate roadway safety and driving convenience. Similar to checking your mirrors or adjusting your seat, ensuring these systems are calibrated is a vital part of vehicle maintenance. If you feel the need for an ADAS check-up related to your windshield or any other concerns, remember that Caliber Auto Glass is here for you. 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.