Today’s vehicles are becoming smarter, safer, and more advanced than ever. While self-driving cars aren’t legal in Canada, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become a standard feature in many newer Ontario vehicles, with some ADAS features in more than 90% of new vehicles.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems help drivers avoid accidents, stay in their lane, help with parking, monitor blindspots, and help prevent skidding and sliding.
With more cars relying on ADAS technologies, it has also become more important to maintain and calibrate these systems properly. When a vehicle needs to be repaired after a collision, or a windshield needs to be replaced, the ADAS must be professionally recalibrated.
When ADAS components aren’t professionally calibrated, results can be disastrous. For instance, a camera misaligned by just 0.6 degrees can reduce braking reaction times by 60%, decreasing the time from 1.5 seconds to just 0.9 seconds.
In this guide, our Ottawa collision repair pros will go over everything you need to know about ADAS and system calibration.
Table of Contents
What is ADAS Calibration?
ADAS calibration is when professionals fine-tune and realign ultrasonic sensors, cameras, radar, and other systems of your ADAS. These components work together to understand what’s happening around your vehicle. The sensors read lane markings and traffic signs, sense where other vehicles are, sense possible dangers, and react to keep you safe.
When your vehicle’s ADAS gets calibrated, technicians adjust these components to the manufacturer’s exact specifications. Even minor misalignments in your ADAS can be a big problem. Miscalibrated systems cause false lane warnings, slow emergency braking, or miss other cars in your blind spots.
Why is ADAS Calibration Necessary?
The ADAS calibration process keeps your vehicle’s safety features properly aligned, configured, validated, and looking in the right place. It shows ADAS sensors where they are in relation to your vehicle.
ADAS recalibration is needed after:
- Windshield replacement: When you have your glass replaced, ADAS cameras mounted on the windshield need to be recalibrated and aligned to the new windshield.
- Accident repairs: Even a smaller collison can change the alignment of sensors or cameras. A calibration should be done to reset your ADAS to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Suspension or alignment work: Changes to your car’s suspension or wheel alignment will change the sensor angles, which will need recalibration.
- Sensor or camera replacement: When an ADAS sensor or camera gets replaced, it will need to be recalibrated before it will work properly with your ADAS.
If you get into an accident (even a minor one) or have any of the above types of work done on your car, have an ADAS recalibration done. Not getting one done can cause slower reaction times, wrong warnings, braking or swerving at weird times, and a higher chance of accidents.
How is ADAS Calibration Done?
ADAS calibration requires specialized training, tools, equipment, and expertise. It needs to be done by certified technicians.
Here’s an overview of how it’s done:
- Technicians consult your vehicle’s manufacturer guidelines and make sure your system is calibrated to those exact settings, measurements, and specifications.
- Your vehicle is then set on a flat surface with the surrounding area cleared of obstacles. Calibration targets and tools are set up as laid out by the manufacturer.
- Targets and patterns that are placed in front of your vehicle for static calibration. Cameras and ADAS sensors use these reference points to align and calibrate as set out by the car maker. This is all done in the shop while standing still.
- Your vehicle is then driven on the road while connected to specialized diagnostic equipment. The ADAS sensors and cameras are adjusted in real-time to align with cars, lane lines, and road signs. This process, called dynamic calibration, can often require two technicians: one to drive and one to operate alignment tools and systems.
Some vehicles may only need static calibration and others both static and dynamic calibration.
The process may take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the complexity of your car’s system. It’s important that these calibrations are only done by certified technicians with the right diagnostic tools and equipment.
Common ADAS Features Requiring Calibration
Certain ADAS features need precise calibration to work properly.
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): Lane Keeping Assist watches lane markings and helps your vehicle stay centered. If misaligned, it can give false alerts or might not notice when you start to drift.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Adaptive Cruise Control uses radar and cameras to keep your car at a safe speed and distance behind the vehicle in front of you.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Automatic Emergency Braking activates your brakes when your ADAS detects another car or obstacle in front of you. Miscalibrated ADAS sensors can cause delayed or unnecessary braking.
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM): Blind Spot Monitoring lets you know when there are vehicles beside you in your blind spots.
Each of these ADAS features needs to be professionally calibrated to work properly with the rest of your system.
Costs and Time for ADAS Calibration
The time needed for ADAS calibration and the amount it costs varies quite a bit and really depends on your vehicle model, how complex and sophisticated your ADAS is, and the type of calibration required
On average, proper ADAS calibration costs range from $200 to $1,000 or more. Vehicles with more advanced systems can cost more, needing more time and equipment to properly calibrate.
The time it takes to calibrate also varies. Simple calibrations may take as little as 30 minutes, while complex systems that need both static and dynamic calibration can take a few hours.
Many insurance policies cover the cost of calibration after an accident or repair, so it’s worth checking with your provider to find out if you’re covered.
Benefits of Proper ADAS Calibration
Professional ADAS calibration is worth it. Here’s why:
- Safety: A professionally-calibrated ADAS has better reaction times, will lower your chances of being in an accident, and will give you accurate alerts.
- Vehicle Longevity: Calibration reduces wear on your ADAS components, helping them last longer. Your car should get into less accidents while you own it, too.
- Better Driving Experience: With a professionally-calibrated ADAS, you’ll feel more confident and in control in any driving situation.
Choosing the Right ADAS Calibration Service
If your ADAS needs calibrating, trust it to a professional and certified service provider.
Here’s what to look for:
- Certified Professionals: Technicians should be trained and certified in ADAS calibration.
- Advanced Equipment: Look for a facility that uses manufacturer-approved calibration tools and diagnostic equipment.
- Reputation and Reviews: Check online reviews and testimonials to find a service provider that has a track record of quality work.
At BEMAC Auto Body Shop, we specialize in ADAS calibration in Ontario. Our certified technicians use manufacturer-approved tools and equipment in our state-of-the-art auto body shops to professionally calibrate your ADAS, giving you peace of mind when you’re behind the wheel.
We’re officially certified by many of the leading car manufacturers.
FAQs About ADAS Calibration
- When do I need ADAS calibration?
- ADAS calibration is absolutely needed after accidents, windshield replacements, sensor repairs, or suspension adjustments.
- What happens if I skip calibration?
- Not having your ADAS professionally calibrated puts your safety at risk. You could have inaccurate and missed warnings, delayed braking, and system malfunctions.
- How often should calibration be done?
- Calibration is usually only needed after collision repairs, windshield replacement, or part replacements affecting ADAS components. Routine checks should be done during vehicle servicing.
Trust Your ADAS Calibration to BEMAC
Having your ADAS calibrated is absolutely essential after an accident, windshield replacement, suspension or alignment work, or ADAS part replacement. A calibrated ADAS keeps you safe and in control.
Skipping an ADAS calibration is risky and dangerous.
At BEMAC Auto Body Shop, we are dedicated to providing expert ADAS calibration services for Ottawa area drivers. Our team is certified, skilled, and experienced with all types of vehicle ADAS.
We also provide all types of auto body and collision repairs.
Contact BEMAC Auto Body Shop today for reliable collision repair and ADAS calibration services in Ontario. Get your free quote now!
