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ADAS calibrations and initializations
Radar and Distance Sensors
Modern vehicles are equipped with a host of added safety features including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, smart city braking, distance sensing cruise control, lidar detection and more. These systems operate by sending a high frequency signal in front of the vehicle to detect the mass of an object in front of it. Alignment of these systems after a collision repair is crucial to ensure accurate and safe operation.
These types of systems can detect a vehicle or object several hundred feet ahead of the sensor. Even a slight misalignment or improper calibration can cause the effective range of the safety system to drop drastically or even stop functioning all together. Many times there will be no warning lights or indication to the vehicle operator that the safety system is not operating as designed.
Most manufacturers have released position statements regarding required or mandatory inspections and calibrations of these systems. Somerset Mobile Diagnostics can provide printed or emailed copies of these position statement upon request. These procedures are not optional and the liability involved from not following the proper calibration and inspection procedures is drastic. The force of impact during a collision event can shift the alignment of these sensitive systems and many times a calibration or inspection should be performed even if there is no direct impact to the sensor or mounting bracket.
These types of system require re-calibration if the sensor has been replaced or if the mounting bracket has been moved during repair. They can also require re-calibration if there has been an impact forceful enough to shift the mounting position of the sensor. In general it is good practice to have forward radar systems checked and aimed after any front or front corner collision that involves more than a minor cosmetic panel repair.
Somerset Mobile Diagnostics precisely follows manufacturer specific calibration procedures using OEM calibration fixtures, self leveling laser devices and digital measurement equipment. In the event the OEM calibration equipment is too bulky or heavy for a mobile calibration we use an OEM equivalent, precision aiming fixture to ensure the ADAS system is aligned to factory specifications and working as designed.
We guarantee all ADAS calibrations will be accurate and professionally aligned to OEM requirements. All of our calibration work is documented with pictures and printed confirmations of successful calibration procedures.
Lane Assist or Lane Keep
Lane assist and lane keep type systems work by utilizing an optical camera mounted on or directly behind the front windshield. These type of system can visually detect and see objects or lines in front of the vehicle. When traveling at speed and your vehicle drifts outside of marked lines on a road these systems alert you as the driver in various ways. Advanced versions of these systems can also function as the main sensor for adaptive cruise control and emergency braking as in the case of Subaru's Eyesight system.
Lane assist systems generally require recalibration if the windshield is removed or replaced. They can also require recalibration after certain repairs when the ride height, suspension geometry or rear toe has been effected or changed. Often, due to optical clarity of the glass, OEM replacement windshields are the only option for a camera equipped vehicle. Aftermarket glass can cause reduced or failed camera functionality as noted in position statements by several major automobile manufacturers.
Somerset Mobile Diagnostics can provide you with on-site mobile lane assist calibrations utilizing OEM targets and precise measurement devices ensuring accurate operation of these systems. Lane assist camera's can be either a static calibration with a stationary target or dynamic calibration that requires driving depending on the manufacturers required procedure.
Surround view or 360 camera systems
Surround view camera systems show a birds eye view of the vehicle when in reverse. These systems assist the driver when backing into a parking space. Calibration of surround view or 360 view camera systems require precise measuring and marking off of calibration points to precisely stitch the front, side and rear camera images together for an accurate view of objects around the vehicle.
Anytime a camera mounted in the grill, side view mirror or tailgate/trunk is removed or replaced vehicle manufacturers require a calibration to be performed. Some manufacturers, such as Acura, require recalibration of the surround view camera system if even the interior door panel is disturbed or removed. After most repairs there will be no warning lights or fault codes to indicate a calibration is required. A vehicle owner will notice something is wrong when they are in a parking lot with marked lines and put the vehicle in reverse. The stitching of the camera image then appears to be misaligned and usually results in a complaint to the body shop and an unexpected comeback.
Somerset Mobile Diagnostics provides on-site calibration of surround view camera systems using OEM targeting mats and laser guided measuring to ensure a perfect calibration and precise alignment of the camera images.
Blind Spot and cross traffic detection system
Blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert systems operate by using sensors located on the sides of the rear bumper cover. These systems alert the driver to other vehicles that are located to the sides and rear of the car being driven. There are warning indicators in the side view mirror or interior door trim that illuminate and alert the driver that a vehicle is in their blind spot or approaching from the side.
Calibration of these systems is not always required when removing or replacing a bumper cover, however replacement of the sensor almost always requires programming and calibration to function properly. Damage to the rear sheet metal, bumper cover or mounting bracket can cause a severe misalignment and poor operation of these system. Often times the rear bumper cover must be removed to ensure accurate alignment and function of blind spot warning systems.
Somerset Mobile Diagnostics can provide the necessary software downloads and accurate calibration of blind spot systems on-site for collision repair shops. In circumstances where the mounting area has been deformed, we use laser guided measuring devices and digital angle gauges along with OEM ADAS target fixtures to restore the mounting area and blind spot sensor alignment back to factory specifications.