Environmental factors that can Impact ADAS Calibrations

As more collision shops and mechanics are interested in offering calibration services to their clients many are realizing that there are environmental factors within the shop space itself that play a major part.

For example, static, in-shop calibrations need enough floor space and proper lighting. And in dynamic calibrations, you may need to have certain environmental conditions to complete the calibrations—which could require traveling or waiting for ideal weather. 

In this post, we’re going to discuss the most common factors that can impact your ability to successfully offer complete ADAS calibrations for your customers. 

Environmental factors that impact static calibrations 

Static calibrations happen while a vehicle is stationary in a controlled environment. They typically use ADAS equipment like targets, reflectors, and potentially laser measurement tools for precision. 

The environmental needs can vary slightly depending on each vehicle’s specific requirements. Some vehicles, for example, will need additional space beyond the standard requirements. In general, however, there are a few best practices that will adhere to most OEM requirements. 

1. Lighting 

Your shop needs to be well-lit so that cameras and sensors can accurately detect different targets. Thorough LED-lighting throughout the work area—which doesn’t flicker or cause shadows—is essential. 

It’s also critical to ensure that there are minimal reflective surfaces within the environment for best results. 

2. Floor requirements 

The floor of your workspace needs to meet the following criteria: 

• Flat: The floor must be level to ensure accurate calibrations. Many OE manufacturers require the floor level to be within +/- 10mm. You can also purchase an integrated alignment rack. 
• Durable: The flooring should be resistant to potential damage and ideally easy to clean. 
• Non-slip: Your shop’s floor should be made with non-slip material for worker safety. 

3. Space requirements 

Space requirements can vary significantly depending on the vehicle you’re calibrating. In general having at least 30 by 50 feet to accommodate a vehicle, your mechanics, and ADAS calibration equipment is sufficient for most situations.

In some cases, however, additional space may be required. Make sure you check the OEM requirements for the types of vehicles you commonly service when setting up your shop, and always check OEM requirements for individual vehicles before promising a certain timeline for clients. 

Environmental factors that impact dynamic calibrations 

Dynamic calibrations take place while the car is in motion and driving in real-world settings. The specific requirements for dynamic calibrations may vary slightly depending on which ADAS features you’re calibrating, but there are a few factors that can impact whether or not you can complete them successfully. 

1. Inclement weather 

Inclement weather can impact successful calibration of certain ADAS features and on certain vehicles. Subaru calibrations, for example, can be difficult during snow or heavy rain. 

If there’s fresh snow on the ground that hasn’t been plowed, for example, the vehicle may not be able to detect road markings needed for dynamic calibration. 

It’s essential to plan for potential inclement weather so you can factor it into your repair timeline that you give customers, letting them know that there may be an extra day or so needed if there’s heavy snow or rain in the forecast. 

2. Road marking visibility 

If you’re calibrating lane-detection systems, you’ll likely need to drive on properly marked roads. If your shop is in an area with dirt roads or faded road markings, you may need to drive to a location with more standardized and highly visible lanes. 

3. Urban areas 

Some vehicles require extended driving time to engage certain systems or they may need the driver to reach a certain speed. This can be challenging in some urban areas with heavy traffic and lower city speeds and may require the shop to drive to a less-crowded area or take the care on a highway for successful calibration. 

It’s not uncommon for shops in dense environments to need to drive at least 20 or more minutes to reach a suitable area. 

What if I can’t meet these requirements? 

There may be occasions when you can’t meet the requirements necessary for static or dynamic calibrations easily. You do have a few options:

• Outsource to a partner: You may be able to partner with a sublet provider or outsource the calibration altogether. This allows you to keep the client in-house while still ensuring they get the services they need.
• Schedule vehicles strategically: If you know that a vehicle may need additional space, for example, you may be able to strategically schedule the static calibrations at a time when you can use additional space in your shop.
• Plan ahead: If you know that certain types of vehicles will need to be driven on the highway or an extra 20 minutes away for proper dynamic calibration, factor that into your scheduling. 

Client communication is essential, and should include disclosures about the following:

• If you’re working with a partner service
• If the vehicle will be taken off-premise for static calibrations.
• If there’s a risk of potential delays due to inclement weather.
• If the vehicle will need to be driven on a highway or taken to a nearby area for proper calibrations.

You can explain the importance of successfully completing ADAS calibrations according to OEM-instructions, and show any OEM-specific requirements that necessitate the accommodations. 

Understanding each vehicle’s ADAS calibration requirements 

While there are some best practices that can help you offer comprehensive ADAS calibration services for most customers, there will always be the occasional outlier. For this reason, it’s essential to always check each vehicle’s OEM-specific requirements when completing any repairs or collision work.

Revv can help with this. You can look up any vehicle’s VIN to instantly get access to OEM instructions, helping you to identify every billable procedure upfront. This can help you set reasonable client expectations, create accurate invoices, and maximize insurance compliance and reimbursement.

Ready to get started with ADAS calibrations? Book a free demo with Revv today!