ADAS Calibration – Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

What is ADAS?

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) use various sensors and cameras along with a vehicle’s computer system in order to help a driver with parking or driving tasks. These cameras and sensors can be found in many different places on vehicles—particularly on the vehicle’s windshield, side mirrors, and front and rear bumpers. ADAS helps drivers with functions like Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward (and Rear) Collision Warning, Parking Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection and more! When ADAS detects a potentially hazardous situation, the vehicle’s ADAS system will either warn the driver through lights and/or sounds, or in some cases will take necessary actions to stop a collision. If the sensors and cameras that are used for these functions are not calibrated or aligned properly, the ADAS system will fail to operate correctly.

ADAS come in various forms. Simpler versions of ADAS—such as automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers—have been around for years and are common features in most late model vehicles. Some of the newer and more exciting ADAS features available in newer vehicles that we referenced above include:

• Lane Departure Warning: Lane departure is one of the leading causes of accidents today. Without a lane departure system, driving at higher speeds can be very risky when there are other cars around. With a lane departure warning system, a warning sound will go off each time your car moves off the lane without a turn signal on.
• Lane Keep Assist: Some vehicles also come with a feature called Lane Keep Assist (LKA). This system can actually steer the vehicle back into the center of the lane, in an event where you might not be quick enough to respond yourself.
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): An AEB system detects when a crash is imminent. It will then alert you to take corrective actions. If no actions are taken, an emergency brake will be automatically applied to prevent the crash from occurring.
• Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB): Like the AEB mentioned above, the PAEB is also an automatic emergency braking system. However, unlike a regular AEB system, the PAEB has been engineered to identify pedestrians on the road and brake when a crash is imminent if the driver has not performed the appropriate corrective action.
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW): A “lighter” version of the AEB is the Forward Collision Warning, or FCW system. This system automatically monitors the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you and warns you of an impending collision so you can take action to avoid it. Rear Collision Warning performs the same functions to the rear of your vehicle.
• Parking Assist: Parking Assist is an automated parking aid that helps drivers park with greater precision, using guidance system technology that rivals ultrasonic and other camera-based solutions with superior, advanced technology.
• Adaptive Cruise Control: Cruise controls have been around for more than a decade. They keep your car at a consistent speed even with your foot off the accelerator pedal, allowing you to rest your feet when driving long distances. Recently, newer versions called adaptive cruise control or dynamic cruise control have been introduced into the automotive industry. This newer autopilot system will adjust the speed of your car to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, allowing cruise control to be turned on even when there are other cars around.
• Blind Spot Detection: Blind Spot Detection uses a set of sensors mounted on the side mirrors or rear bumper of your vehicle to detect other vehicles in adjacent lanes. If the sensors detect something, they’ll alert you via an audible and/or visual warning. Many vehicles even use a camera as the main part of the system or to complement the sensors.

But what does all this ADAS mumbo jumbo have to do with my windshield?

Glad you asked! There are many things that can cause an Advanced Driver Assistance System to be thrown out of alignment and require calibration. Other than the obvious ones—like minor accidents causing damage to your bumper—a standard windshield replacement is the most common reason to make sure your ADAS system is calibrated properly. This is because the majority of your vehicle’s ADAS sensors originate from cameras and sensors placed on or around your vehicle’s windshield, the windshield being your vehicle’s first line of defense in an accident/collision. These systems include cameras, computer imaging software, radars, and other sensors. This means that even the slightest physical change to your car – particularly to your windshield – can make these sensing devices malfunction. All manufacturers recommend that the ADAS be recalibrated after an accident or windshield replacement.

When is ADAS Calibration Necessary?

Jiffy Auto Glass USA has partnered with KD Calibration (www.kdcalibration.com) for all ADAS calibration needs. Located here in Colorado, KD Calibration is able to perform ADAS calibration on all makes and models of vehicles, including Asian, European, and Domestic vehicles. Many of these calibrations can be performed on site at your home or place of work! A typical calibration takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the vehicle and whether they require a static or dynamic calibration. For more information on the different types of calibration, please visit our ADAS calibration partner KD Calibration at www.kdcalibration.com.

ADAS calibration

ADAS calibration involves aligning these sensing devices in your car so that they function properly. A dynamic calibration process will require the technician to take your car out for a drive, while a static calibration process uses specialist tools to calibrate the ADAS while your car is stationary.

According to every manufacturer, it is mandatory to recalibrate your ADAS during the following scenarios:

• Windshield replacement
• Collision
• Replacement change in tires or ride height
• ADAS lights are on or flashing