ADAS - 1600
ADAS Service Information: Just a Click Away
Jan. 01 2022
ADAS -365
Jan. 01 2022

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:

  • ABS with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) (mandatory in the USA as of the 2012 Model Year)
  • Adaptive Headlights with Self-Leveling and Steering-Dependent Aiming
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • Automatic Crash Notification (ACN)
  • Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)/Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)
  • Automatic Parking and Vehicle Retrieval
  • Autonomous (Self-driving) Vehicles
  • Blind Spot Monitoring (BSD)/Rear Cross-Traffic Detection/Pedestrian Detection
  • Driver Monitoring System/Driver Drowsiness Detection
  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
  • Lane Keeping Assistance System (LKAS) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Panoramic View Camera System/Dynamic Back-Up Camera
  • Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)
  • Rearview Video System (RVS) (mandatory in the USA as of May 2018 production)
Sensor type

 

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.

ADAS - Quick Ref

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

  • Direct links to the ADAS system/component by name, such as the Backup Camera or Lane Departure System
  • Currently includes 1,835 ADAS ‘Quick Reference’ templates, covering 6,228 vehicle types for model years 2015-2022
  • Provides the location of the component that may have been damaged in a collision
  • Identifies component removal/replacement that could result in extra labor for calibration or sublet costs based on procedure complexity
  • Includes a listing of required tools and proper procedures for servicing ADAS components

 

ADAS System Component

 

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.

When calibration is required on any ADAS device, it is critical that it is done according to manufacturer’s procedure. If not, your shop can incur liability if a failed system results in a collision.

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.

  • Prepare for the procedure. Know what steps need to be followed before work is begun. Allow for any sublet procedures in your time, labor, and materials estimate. Make sure you discuss the repair with all parties to avoid surprises.
  • Contact your parts suppliers. Know when the parts will get to you and how much. Determine if acceptable non-OEM parts are available.
  • Look in ALLDATA for the manufacturer’s procedures. Share them with the customer and any insurance adjuster that may be involved. This builds credibility and educates all concerned. It also prepares you for the tool requirements for the job.
  • Invest for Success. Research the tool, equipment, and facility expenditures that will be needed to repair ADAS.
  • If you sublet repairs, make sure that they are trained and equipped for ADAS.

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.

More reading material:

MyCarDoesWhat.org Information for your customers on vehicle technologies

www.NHTSA.gov NHTSA’s info on ADAS

www.BodyShopBusiness.com Everything you wanted to know about windshields and ADAS

www.BMW.com The path to self-driving vehicles

www.ConsumerReports.org Detailed list of current production vehicles with ADAS

 

ALLDATA Collision builds on the industry-leading mechanical information found in ALLDATA Repair, adding OEM procedures such as section and structural repairs, handling of new materials, and panel removal and replacement. Request a demo of ALLDATA Collision or call (888) 853-7309 to get started.

 

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