What is ADAS?
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are a group of safety functions designed to improve driver safety and reduce the severity and number of traffic accidents.
When did ADAS systems first appear in the United States?
- 2000 Cadillac Deville – Night Vision (NV)
- 2000 Toyota – Dynamic Laser Cruise Control (ACC)
- 2004 Infinity FX – Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- 2006 Lexus LS – Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- 2007 Audi – Lane Assist (LDW)
- 2008 GM – Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Are ADAS Systems common in the market?
Yes – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun mandating or exploring making Driver Assistance Technologies mandatory on all new vehicles produced. In 2018 all new passenger vehicles in the United States were required to come equipped with Rear View Video Systems. Models with directional assistance (guidelines that curve as you backup) utilize ADAS technology.
The NHTSA has a lot of information about Driver Assistance Technologies and even a lookup tool for vehicles on the road today equipped with this technology (https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/driver-assistance-technologies). Many of these vehicles are probably vehicles you see in your shop every day.
Some common ADAS Systems found on vehicles are:
- Park Assist
- Blind Spot Detection
- Rear Collision Warning
- Lane Keeping Technology
- Brake Assist
- Collision Avoidance
What Does ADAS mean for my shop?
The introduction of ADAS is similar to the arrival of TPMS systems. The technology isn’t new to the market but has begun to become affordable and more common in the production vehicles of today. Your shop will or already has performed work on vehicles that utilize ADAS systems. Not being properly equipped to service these customers could mean lost sales for your shop or potential liability issues for improper work performed.
When should I recalibrate an ADAS system?
There are a variety of various services your shop could perform, depending on the kind of work your shop performs and the equipment options on the vehicle you may be required to perform an ADAS system re-calibration after performing the services below:
- After a collision
- Hook or trunk replaced
- Front and rear bumper removal
- Windshield replacement
- Mirror replacement
- Suspension work or replacement*
- Curbing or bumping a moving sensor module
- Module or Component replacement
*To put it into perspective, an ADAS re-calibration may be required if you replace tires and perform an alignment. It may also be required when replacing shocks, struts, control arms, ball joints, tie rods, etc. Not having the correct equipment to perform the job right can put the current services you perform at risk as ADAS systems become standard on motor vehicles.
