What to Consider When Integrating ADAS Calibrations Into Your Shop

ADAS calibrations present a significant revenue opportunity for repair shops, but implementation requires careful planning.

With at least 80% of new vehicles now having ADAS features, shops that aren't prepared are leaving money on the table and potentially creating safety risks for customers. 

In this post, we’ll talk about what you need to consider before offering ADAS calibration services with expert advice from Revv’s Joel Adcock. 

Understanding your market: Which vehicles need calibration?

Shop owners can drastically underestimate how many vehicles in their service rotation require ADAS calibrations. While luxury vehicles introduced the more sophisticated systems first, today even economy brands like Hyundai and Kia incorporate advanced driver assistance features that require precise calibration after other standard service. 

So, the question becomes which vehicles will need calibration? And more specifically, which vehicles will your shop be servicing that need calibrations?

If you work predominantly on luxury vehicles, for example, you may not need to invest in calibration training and equipment for Honda Civics. 

This is a good rule of thumb: Any vehicle from model year 2013 and newer deserves scrutiny for potential calibration needs. 

The technology has evolved considerably over the past decade, with ADAS becoming increasingly standard across all vehicle segments. Vehicles from 10-12 years ago may have more limited systems, but newer models almost certainly contain multiple sensors requiring calibration.

Communicating with customers and billing appropriately

How do you convince customers to pay for a service many don't understand and can't visibly see? Customers may know that a wheel alignment had a certain cost in the past, and now that cost has extra charges attached— no one loves that. 

The key is to start the conversation early. When customers book service for alignment, new tires, windshield replacement, or collision repair on any newer vehicle, proactively discuss the ADAS features they use and value.

A practical approach is asking customers directly: "Tell me about the ADAS technology in your vehicle that helps keep you safe—which features do you use regularly?" If they mention blind spot monitoring because they struggle with neck mobility, you've established the personal importance of that system functioning correctly.

Then, draw a clear line between the service they're receiving and the need for calibration: "After we complete your alignment, manufacturer specifications require us to recalibrate your lane keeping system to ensure it functions properly. This is for your safety and our peace of mind."

Most customers will approve the calibration when presented this way. For those who decline, implementing a liability waiver is essential to protect your business. By engaging customers emotionally about the safety systems they depend on, you transform calibration from an unwelcome add-on into a necessary safety measure.

Static vs. dynamic calibrations: space and environmental considerations

Calibration requirements vary widely across manufacturers, with some requiring static calibrations performed in controlled environments, while others need dynamic calibrations done while driving. Understanding these differences is crucial, but so is understanding how your shop can properly accommodate different environmental requirements for each.

Static calibrations

Static calibrations have specific facility considerations:

• Dedicated indoor space with controlled lighting.
• Level floor surface (often with specific tolerance requirements).
• Sufficient area for target placement (some require 30x50 feet or more).
• Minimal reflective surfaces.

Space constraints present a common challenge, especially for busy shops in urban areas. 

And sometimes, this means that you quite literally don’t have the space to service certain vehicles that may require additional space. This can present its own challenges. 

If you’re serving a vehicle that requires extensive space for calibration (like Ford F-150s), you may need to schedule these vehicles strategically or partner with a sublet provider for specific calibrations. Proper planning is essential here, as you can factor in the additional time needed when you first speak to the client to give them a quote and a timeline. 

Dynamic calibrations

Dynamic calibrations require that you drive a vehicle under real-world conditions, which can present several logistical challenges: 

• It requires properly marked roads for lane-detection systems.
• Inclement weather and traffic conditions may prevent successful calibration. 
• Extended driving time may be required to engage certain systems. 

Shops in dense urban environments may need to drive 20+ minutes to reach suitable areas for dynamic calibrations. This needs to be accounted for when assessing how long a repair will take, and you’ll want to alert the client in advance that this is required. 

Weather conditions can also impact scheduling. Subaru calibrations, for instance, can become challenging during snow or heavy rain. Setting proper customer expectations about potential delays due to these factors is essential for maintaining satisfaction and completing successful calibrations. 

Training requirements: Initial and ongoing education

ADAS calibration isn't a learn-it-once skill—it requires continuous education as systems and technology evolve. 

Initial training typically covers basic equipment operation, following manufacturer procedures, and setting up calibration sequences. 

However, the real challenge comes when calibrations fail or trouble codes appear that technicians don't understand. Teaching your technicians how to run pre- and post-scan diagnostics and how to follow OEM-specific requirements is essential. Effective training should include:

1. Initial certification or training on equipment operation.
2. Manufacturer-specific calibration procedures.
3. Diagnostic troubleshooting for failed calibrations.
4. Regular updates as new systems and requirements emerge.

Several organizations offer specialized ADAS training programs, including:

• Autel Academy for comprehensive calibration training.
• Kaizen Glass Solutions for calibration courses.
• ADAS COE for specialized certification.

The complexity of modern vehicles means even experienced technicians need continuous education. 

As new sensors like LiDAR become mainstream and existing systems grow more sophisticated, for example, understanding how these systems interact becomes increasingly important for successful calibrations. This makes ongoing training a necessity. 

Workflow integration: How to plan for calibrations in your workflows

Your shop has standard workflows for most repairs. You might have a wheel alignment down to a science, knowing exactly what it will cost and how long it will take. You can quote a client with absolute certainty. 

ADAS calibrations, however, can throw that off. You’ll want time to assess what calibrations may be needed, you’ll need to communicate that potential to clients, and you need to plan for it in your scheduling. A one hour repair may now take an extra thirty minutes, for example, and clients may get an extra $200 charge on their invoice. 

It’s important to account for calibrations into your entire repair workflow, therefore. Doing so can prevent bottlenecks, maximize technician productivity, and ensure that clients are given accurate quotes and timelines. 

Most shops place calibrations near the end of the repair process, after structural repairs, parts replacement, and reassembly.

Incorporating ADAS calibrations into your full workflow 

Keep in mind that calibrations often occur after certain structural or mechanical work, so you need to time them right in your repair workflow. 

A strategic workflow should identify calibration needs at these key points:

1. During the initial estimate and pre-scan, including when you first talk to clients and provide quotes.
2. After completing structural repairs.
3. Following system component replacement.
4. Post-reassembly but before final delivery.

Documentation, QA, and final scans all need to be built into your process, too. 

Obtaining pre-approval from customers or insurance companies early in the process prevents delays later. Many shops now incorporate dedicated ADAS checklists to ensure no required calibration is overlooked during the repair journey.

Remember that your shop makes money through "touch time"—when technicians are actively working on vehicles. Without efficient systems to identify calibration needs and access OEM procedures quickly, excessive research time eats into productive hours and impacts revenue. 

Your technicians need to understand how to leverage tools throughout the entire process to ensure that no calibration or billable procedure is missed.

Equipment and software: Making the right investment

The calibration equipment market offers options at various price points, but cutting corners often proves costly long-term. When evaluating calibration systems, consider these factors:

1. Coverage breadth: Top-tier systems like Autel offer approximately 95% vehicle coverage. Lower-cost alternatives may limit which makes and models you can service.
2. Durability and quality: Seemingly cost-effective calibration targets may require more frequent replacement, negating initial savings.
3. Distribution support: Reputable manufacturers sell through distribution channels that provide setup, training, and ongoing support—not just equipment delivery.
4. ROI calculation: Analyze your current vehicle mix to determine calibration frequency before investing. This can help you determine what equipment is needed to help you obtain the best ROI. 

The right software dramatically impacts efficiency and profitability. Without sophisticated tools to quickly identify calibration requirements and access OEM procedures, technicians spend excessive time researching instead of performing revenue-generating work. Solutions like Revv ADAS can dramatically reduce this research time, allowing your team to focus on productive tasks.

Common obstacles to successful implementation

Several predictable challenges arise when shops begin offering calibration services:

1. Underestimating calibration volume: Many shops initially believe they'll only calibrate a few vehicles monthly, only to discover that modern repairs frequently trigger calibration requirements. It’s important to factor this into your workflows and scheduling. 
2. Misidentifying required calibrations: Without proper tools, it's easy to miss when calibrations are needed, creating both safety and liability concerns. Pre-scans, post-repair scans, diagnostic tools, and technician training can prevent this. 
3. Technician turnover: After investing in training, losing a calibration specialist can severely impact operations. Ensuring that all technicians receive training can reduce this impact. 
4. OEM procedure variability: Requirements vary significantly between manufacturers—what works for Toyota may not apply to Ford. Tools ike Revv can ensure your technicians can identify all OEM-specific procedures for each individual VIN. 

Shops that succeed in ADAS calibration typically invest in comprehensive solutions that address these challenges systematically rather than relying on piecemeal approaches.

Documentation and liability considerations

Proper documentation protects your business from potential liability issues. Each calibration should generate comprehensive records including:

• Pre-repair scan results.
• Specific calibrations performed with timestamps.
• Confirmation of successful completion.
• Post-repair scan verification.
• Technician certification information.

Some insurance carriers still struggle to understand the necessity of ADAS calibration services, making thorough documentation essential for reimbursement. Including manufacturer requirements and specifications with invoices helps educate adjusters and streamlines the approval process.

Remember that improper calibration—or failing to perform a required calibration—could expose your shop to significant liability if a customer experiences system failure later. The documentation you maintain serves both as quality assurance and legal protection.

Ready to transform your shop with ADAS calibrations?

Integrating ADAS calibrations into your service offerings represents both a tremendous opportunity and new challenges. Knowing what challenges may be coming can help you be prepared with the right solutions. 

Shops that approach implementation strategically—with proper training, equipment, software, and workflow systems—stand to boost revenue while providing essential safety services.

Tools like Revv can help your technicians understand which ADAS calibrations are needed for each unique vehicle. Technicians can look up each VIN to access OEM instructions to ensure proper calibrations, and our system can help provide proper documentation to eliminate insurance push-back.

Contact us today to learn how Revv can help your shop offer ADAS calibration services to your customers