When is ADAS Recalibration Necessary?

While ADAS features have become standard in most new vehicles, many customers—and even some technicians—still don't fully understand when recalibration is truly necessary versus when it's optional. 

Skipping required ADAS recalibration puts your customers at risk, exposes your shop to liability issues, and can result in frustrated customers when their safety systems don't work properly. On the flip side, recommending unnecessary recalibration can damage customer trust and hurt your reputation. And with $4 billion in projected revenue generated across the industry due to ADAS calibrations by the year 2030, this isn’t something your shop wants to miss out on. 

This post will clarify exactly when ADAS recalibration is required, when it should be considered, and how to make these decisions confidently while keeping your customers happy. 

Understanding ADAS recalibration basics

ADAS recalibration is the process of precisely adjusting cameras and sensors to ensure they're aimed correctly and communicating properly with the vehicle's computer systems. These systems rely on incredibly precise positioning, and being off by even a single degree can significantly impact how well safety features like lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control function.

Think of it this way: A sensor that's misaligned by just a fraction of an inch or one degree will be aimed at an area significantly off target when the sensor is looking 50 or more feet down the road. At highway speeds, that small misalignment could mean the difference between their automatic emergency braking system detecting an obstacle in time or missing it entirely. 

When recalibration is definitely required

Understanding when recalibration is absolutely necessary helps you provide proper service while protecting your customers and your business. Here are the situations where skipping recalibration isn't an option.

1. Windshield replacement

Windshield replacement is the most common trigger for ADAS recalibration because multiple sensors and cameras are mounted on or near the windshield in most vehicles. When you remove and reinstall these components, even the slightest shift in positioning can throw off the entire system.

Increasingly, automakers now specify that only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) windshields should be used on vehicles with camera sensors, and some dealers will refuse to calibrate systems on vehicles with aftermarket windshields. This is because aftermarket windshields may have slightly different dimensions or optical properties that can affect sensor performance.

2. After collision or accident damage

Even minor fender benders can knock ADAS sensors out of alignment, making recalibration necessary. The sensitive nature of these systems means that impacts which seem insignificant can still affect sensor positioning enough to compromise performance.

Recalibration is required after collisions when:

• Any body panels with mounted sensors are repaired or replaced.
• Structural damage affects sensor mounting points.
• Front airbags deploy and deflect off the windshield.
• The vehicle's frame or unibody structure is affected.

Even small shifts in sensor position can impact system performance, which is why it's always better to err on the side of caution and get ADAS checked and calibrated after any collision.

3. Suspension and alignment work

This category often surprises customers, but it makes sense when you consider how these systems work. ADAS sensor calibration is required whenever there's wheel alignment work, a change in tire size, or suspension repairs. 

Any of these changes could affect how sensors "see" the road ahead. When you alter the vehicle's ride height, wheel alignment, or even tire size, you're potentially changing the angle at which sensors view their surroundings.

4. When dashboard warning lights appear

Dashboard warnings or error messages about ADAS systems are clear indicators that recalibration is needed. These warnings might appear as:

• ADAS system fault codes.
• Lane departure warning malfunctions.
• Adaptive cruise control error messages.
• Automatic emergency braking system alerts.

In some cases, customers may also report that their ADAS features aren't working as expected. They may mention that their lane keeping assistance is overly sensitive, or their automatic emergency braking that seems delayed. Recalibration may resolve these issues.

5. Component replacement or removal 

Recalibration is required whenever a camera, sensor, or its mounting bracket is removed or replaced. This includes:

• Camera or sensor replacement.
• Mounting bracket repairs.
• Repairs to a car roof that has a sensor bracket mounted to it.
• Any work that requires disconnecting ADAS components.

The key principle here is simple: if you disturb the position or connection of any ADAS component, recalibration is necessary to ensure proper function.

When you might need to consider ADAS recalibration

While the previous scenarios represent clear-cut requirements, there are situations where recalibration may be beneficial even if not explicitly required by the manufacturer.

Recalibration may be necessary in the following circumstances:

• There’s a related diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in the car’s computer memory that you need to investigate. 
• An automaker releases a technical service bulletin that includes instructions detailing that calibration is done as part of another repair. 
• Customers report decreased ADAS performance, even if no warning lights are present; sometimes, systems may drift out of calibration gradually. 

What happens when you skip required recalibration

From a safety perspective, improperly calibrated systems may fail to detect obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles when customers need them most. Alternatively, they may trigger false alarms that cause drivers to lose confidence in the technology and disable important safety features. 

Either way, when drivers are depending on these features for safety, misfirings or malfunctioning systems won’t cut it. 

From a liability standpoint, failing to perform required recalibration after repairs that affect ADAS systems could expose your shop to legal risk if a customer is involved in an accident where properly functioning safety systems might have prevented or reduced injuries.

Insurance companies are also increasingly requiring documentation that proper recalibration was completed, especially for collision repairs. Without this documentation, claims may be delayed or denied, preventing customers from receiving reimbursements from insurance. 

Making VIN-specific ADAS recalibration decisions

Determining when ADAS recalibration is necessary doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. With the right tools and information, you can quickly identify requirements for any vehicle while ensuring complete compliance with manufacturer specifications.

Revv helps repair professionals quickly identify required calibrations and access OEM repair procedures in seconds. We can provide instant access VIN-specific calibration requirements and OEM procedures that are necessary based on the repairs you’re completing.

With this information, you're able to provide accurate estimates, prevent costly oversights, and deliver the comprehensive service today's vehicles require.

Book a demo today to see how Revv can help you confidently offer ADAS recalibration services while maximizing revenue.