Follow a process for ADAS repairs

Oct. 30, 2021
Understanding the steps needed for proper calibration

ADAS systems have been around in some form since the 1950s with the invention of anti-lock braking systems. However, the current generation systems that are starting to be more common in our service bays are starting to create a challenge for the industry. Even the most experienced technicians are finding it difficult to stay abreast of the changing technology as we make our way from Level 1 ADAS systems all the way to what most see as the future of the automobile, the Level 5 fully autonomous vehicle. While most of us argue until our faces turn red that this isn’t going to happen until we are retired in some sunny spot down south, the truth is, that may not be true. If there has ever been a time that keeping up with industry changes is ever important, it is now.  

Rear cross traffic alert, lane departure, forward collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring are all terms that we need to keep at the front of our thoughts as we progress a vehicle from the estimation to completion stage in our shops. We need to know what areas of the vehicle the sensors and modules for these items live in. We are all aware at this point that if a customer has a run-in with a raccoon, it may cause significant front-end damage to the vehicle, and most likely the radar assembly has been damaged as well. But what about the things we cannot see? What if we replace steering components during a repair and the vehicle needs an alignment completed; is a calibration required then? It may be, if you have altered the vehicles thrust line during those repairs.  

One of these items that lives a covered-up life is the blind spot monitor. These monitors can be used for blind spot monitoring as well as rear cross traffic alerts, and they are sometimes hidden in precarious locations. Have you looked under the rear fascia lately...or perhaps behind a tail lamp? Yes, it is true, some of these sensors have found a home as part of a tail lamp assembly. Making a mental note of the location of these components will help us as we complete the repairs on the vehicle and come to the last stage of any successful repair order, the post-repair scan and repair calibrations.  

Importance of the post scan

The post scan is an important part of the repair procedure because we can identify any calibrations that may be needed on the vehicle that we may have not been aware of. This is important, as there are some ADAS systems that do not have an approved test procedure, such as forward collision. Checking codes and ensuring there are none present is sometimes the only way to verify these systems are OK. After all, how can we verify operation of a system that will only work if we are in a near collision/collision with another automobile on the road? 

So, we have identified a code that states an ADAS system needs calibration on our vehicle; what’s next? This is one of the reasons why ADAS systems are causing many technicians to prematurely start to go gray. There is no simple answer. We need to have a standard process in our shops that all technicians can follow to allow them to find the information quickly and efficiently. Whether your shop uses Mitchell Pro Demand, ALLDATA, or possibly has access to dealer-level information, thorough research should always begin by accessing service information.  

Another source of information may be directly through the scan tool you are using to scan the vehicle. If your shop is equipped with an ADAS-capable scan tool or repair system, you may be able to simply search through the available calibrations that are listed for the vehicle to find the correct calibrations needed for the specific vehicle you are working on. This is completely dependent on the equipment that you have on hand in your shop. 

We all know that service information can be lacking, so what else can we do to know what calibrations are needed? Attending ongoing service training is as important as it has ever been to keep technicians updated with the latest information. Ensuring that your technicians are educated does not always mean sending them off-site for an all-day training event. If there are off times during the week when a technician can sneak in an hour or two of training, check online for great informational sources. One leading provider of ADAS equipment, Autel, has an amazing two-part video that goes through a live demonstration of ADAS calibrations.   

Now that we know what we need to do, we need to ask ourselves, “Can we do it?” There are many companies producing ADAS solutions — Launch X431 ADAS Pro and the Autel ADAS ADVANCED are packages that have numerous adapters, lasers, etc. to allow you to complete multiple calibrations on many different vehicles. What is needed to complete the calibration can range from vehicle to vehicle and even from year to year. Let’s take a quick look at two vehicles and see the differences.   

One of the most common luxury vehicles on the road today is the BMW sedan. When an active cruise control repair is completed, we must recalibrate the forward radar assembly. To complete this calibration, we need to bring out our large ADAS calibration assembly and position it correctly with exacting measurements, ensuring that radar reflectors are placed in the correct area. Then through the scan tool, the calibration can be completed. Sound complicated?  

Let us look at another vehicle common on the road, the new body style Ram (DT). The adaptive cruise control module on this vehicle is placed underneath the rear-view camera and is known as the Driver Assistance System Module. If we have a repair where we need to recalibrate this unit, for, say, a simple windshield remove/replace, it can be done with tools that may be on hand. First, there is a measurement with a digital inclinometer that is completed on the Driver Assistance System Module. Once this is completed, an auto alignment procedure is completed with an approved scan tool and short test drive.  

As you can see, it’s important to follow a standardized procedure for your shop when completing ADAS related repairs. We need to know the capabilities of our shop and our technicians. Maybe your shop has not yet invested in something like the Autel ADAS solution. You can see in the above scenario that with some simple tools we already have in our tool arsenal and some well-trained technicians, we may be able to complete some ADAS calibrations in-house instead of having to sublet them. This will help expedite the repair for the customer and have them on the road much faster, mostly because we now do not have to deal with the headache of having to schedule a time at the local dealership for the repair.  

Remember, ADAS calibrations do not have to be a headache. However, there needs to be a process in place. If you have yet to create a standardized process to help your technicians, maybe the time is now. No matter how much we wish it away, this technology is here to stay for the foreseeable future.  

About the Author

Devin Purcell

Devin Purcell is an automotive trainer and freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. You can learn more about his unique views of the automotive industry at www.autoknowit.com or https://muckrack.com/devin-purcell/articles.

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