Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are designed to improve driver safety through the application of several technologies developed during the last two decades. ADAS has been implemented on vehicles of all price and performance levels; it is no longer only for high-end cars and trucks.

On United States roads there are almost four million vehicles containing ADAS technologies.

According to a United States government agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. This represents an increase of about 7.2 percent as compared to the 36,096 fatalities reported in 2019. If you thought it was more dangerous to drive in these COVID times you would be correct.

Research shows that most of these crashes were due to human error. This data led to the development of ADAS technologies to dramatically reduce the effect of driver error. Some are already installed in current production vehicles; the rest may become required over the next decade. Unless you specialize in classic cars, you will see these vehicles in your shop. So, it is important to be prepared.

These are many of the ADAS systems you’ll be seeing:

Servicing the ADAS systems

Having accurate service information has always been important. Now it is more critical to driver and passenger safety to access the correct information and to follow it carefully.

Recently ALLDATA has made accessing factory-level information easier through their ADAS Quick Reference link.

Clicking on ADAS Quick Reference takes users directly to OEM vehicle specific ADAS information in ALLDATA Repair® or ALLDATA Collision^®.

Knowing what calibrations may be required is critical to vehicle safety. Calibrations may include static procedures in the shop or dynamic procedures on the road. These procedures can take an hour or more.

When servicing ADAS systems, you need to take a holistic approach. EVERYTHING on the car affects ADAS systems. For example, camera-based systems such as Honda LaneWatch^™ or Toyota’s Bird’s Eye View^™ technology will require calibration due to tire replacement, suspension work, engine modifications, or steering system repairs. This is in addition to calibration required by collision repair, outside rear-view mirror replacement, or even a simple wheel alignment.

Windshield replacement or removal/reinstallation typically requires calibration if any ADAS system “looks” through the glass. This includes, but is not limited to, Subaru EyeSight^®, LKAS, LDW, Rain Sensors, FCW, or autonomous-driving systems (self-driving vehicles). NOTE: you may need to install OEM glass on some vehicles. Failure to do so will result in the ADAS systems not working properly or inability to calibrate.

When calibration is required on any ADAS device, it is critical that it is done according to the manufacturer’s procedure. If not, your shop can incur liability if a failed system results in a collision. Note also, that lack of warning lights or messages does not mean that the system is calibrated properly. Do calibrations the factory way or send it to someone who can. If you’re thinking of sending a car to the dealership for calibration you may be in for a surprise if you used non-OEM parts (including the windshield). They may, due to liability concerns or inability to successfully run the calibration, refuse to touch the vehicle.

There are special tools involved in ADAS servicing. Targets, software, and measuring devices are commonly used. ALLDATA service information will list the needed tooling.

Consider your facility. There must be a clean, level location in your shop that has enough space and proper lighting. You may need to mark the floor to calibrate some vehicles.

Learning is required

Be prepared for this technology shift. Train yourself and your employees on the latest technology.

ADAS technologies are on the road in large numbers and your customers expect you to be able to service these vehicles. Your customer’s safety and your shop’s livelihood depend on you staying up with these fast-paced changes in technology.