What You Should Know About ADAS Technology

What is ADAS?

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, is technological equipment in your vehicle that provides you with many modern safety features including things like lane assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more. This equipment consists of cameras and sensors mounted to your vehicle’s windshield. In order for ADAS to be accurate, these systems will need to be calibrated in certain situations. 

Does My Vehicle Use ADAS? 

Many modern vehicles come automatically equipped with ADAS technology. These safety features are a major perk of having a newer vehicle. Some common safety features include:

• Adaptive cruise control 
• Lane departure warnings
• Lane keep assist 
• Blind spot monitoring
• Automatic emergency braking 
• Rear cross traffic alert 
• Parking assist 
• Driver attention monitoring 
• Forward collision warning

There are different types of ADAS systems, active and passive. Active systems are activated when the vehicle’s systems take over control and perform an action to avoid a collision or keep you safe in other dangerous situations. Passive systems require action from the driver because they simply provide a warning or signal of possible danger or obstacles. Active systems include things like emergency steering, traffic-jam assist, and self-parking whereas passive systems include things like auto-lock braking, back-up cameras, and lane-departure warnings. 

Do I Need to Have My ADAS Technology Recalibrated? 

If you just had your windshield replaced, or notice inaccuracies in your ADAS features, you should have your ADAS equipment recalibrated. Because this technology is usually mounted to the inside of your windshield, putting a new windshield over the cameras and sensors may cause the technology to be less accurate. This is why an experienced auto glass technician will perform a calibration for your ADAS equipment after replacing your windshield. It is important that your ADAS cameras and sensors are accurately aligned because otherwise, they will provide you with inaccurate information that may result in an accident. 

How Does Recalibration Work? 

ADAS calibration often takes place in a “calibration bay”, or a controlled area with a flat surface. Recalibration of your ADAS equipment takes place after your new windshield has been installed. An experienced auto glass technician will check the cameras and sensors to make sure they are not damaged and that they are aligned properly. If the equipment is misaligned, a certified auto glass technician will return the technology to proper alignment and proceed with calibration. Proper alignment is achieved by placing “targets” in front of the cameras and sensors.

After the equipment is aligned properly, an auto glass technician will connect your vehicle’s diagnostic system to a special software to complete the rest of the calibration process. Some calibrations are performed by taking the vehicle on the road and exposing the cameras and sensors to road signs and markings as well as traffic. Regardless, a good auto glass technician will take your vehicle on a test drive to determine if the ADAS technology is working properly before returning your vehicle to you. Lastly, auto glass technicians record the calibration results to ensure they meet manufacturer’s standards. 

Need ADAS Calibration in Livingston, LA?

If you are in need of ADAS calibration services in Denham Springs, Walker, Albany, or the surrounding areas, Elite Auto Glass has you covered! Our certified auto glass technicians have the experience and skills needed to make sure your vehicle is safe and in compliance with manufacturer’s standards. If you need a windshield replacement for your vehicle with ADAS technology, or if you notice your safety features are not accurate, contact Elite Auto Glass today!