Does your vehicle have advanced safety features like adaptive light control, collision warnings, or lane departure warnings? These are just a few of the many types of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that most newer-model vehicles come equipped with. And these assistance systems rely on strategically placed cameras and sensors throughout your vehicle to function properly.

When those cameras and sensors move outside of their normal position — which can happen quite easily during an accident — they must be statically or dynamically recalibrated. Otherwise, they won’t continue functioning according to their design, which can put your safety at risk.

What’s the difference between static and dynamic ADAS calibration and why does it matter? Read on to find out.

Static ADAS Calibration: What Is It?
Static calibration occurs while the vehicle is stationary in a tightly controlled shop environment. The process begins with establishing the automobile’s thrust line using a variety of specialized tools. From there, special aiming tools and targets and mechanical leveling tools are typically used to calibrate the vehicle’s sensors and cameras.

This process allows the vehicle’s sensors and cameras to collect accurate information, which they’ll continually send to the vehicle’s various assistance systems. After static calibration, many vehicles also require a dynamic calibration process. Those that don’t will still need a test drive to validate the static calibration process and ensure no trouble codes pop up from the vehicle’s advanced safety features.

Dynamic ADAS Calibration: What Is It?
Vehicles with camera sensors typically require dynamic calibration in addition to static calibration for radar sensors. This calibration process takes place on clearly marked roads using a plug-in scan tool and requires a technician to drive the vehicle at a prescribed speed for a specific number of miles.

During the calibration process, the scan tool detects traffic, road markings, signage, and several other data points to properly calibrate the vehicle’s cameras and sensors. When the process is complete, the scan tool will send out an alert, or the vehicle will issue a message or turn on a dash light to let the technician know.

Because dynamic ADAS calibration relies on clear road markings, the process typically requires that rain and/or snow are not present. Some vehicles also calibrate better when minimal traffic is around, while others calibrate faster when the calibration sensor can detect many objects.

When Is ADAS Calibration Required?
Anytime that the cameras and/or sensors move outside of their prescribed alignment in a vehicle with ADAS features, they must be recalibrated. This can occur due to several situations, including:

● Minor collisions (fender benders, rear-end collisions, colliding with a curb, etc.)
● Major collisions
● Auto replacement (especially windshield and rear window replacements)
● Auto body repairs
● Wheel alignments

Because recalibration is an additional service that requires specialized tools and considerable time, expect to pay more for auto body repair service that includes ADAS calibration. If you own a vehicle with any advanced safety systems, you’ll likely also need to use OEM parts as specified by the manufacturer. This can also cost you more whether you’re getting auto body repairs or auto glass replacement.

Check out How Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Affect Repair Costs for more information on what you can expect.

Schedule a Free Auto Body Repair Estimate in Plymouth, MN
When you need a Twin Cities auto body repair shop you can trust, look no further than Minnetonka Collision Center in Plymouth! We’re an advanced, comprehensive auto body repair shop specializing in collision repairs, hail damage repairs, paintless dent repair, precision color matching, and several other services for all makes and models of vehicles. We offer limited lifetime guarantees on all of our work and can help you file your insurance claim from start to finish.

To learn more about our services or get an estimate, call us today at 763-230-7805. You can also request a free estimate online, and we’ll get in touch with more information!