Auto Glass & ADAS Experts

Before understanding what calibration is, we first need to answer the question, “what is ADAS?” ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. These are auto safety features made up of a series of systems and sensors that help enhance driver safety.

When a vehicle is damaged and repaired, the ADAS system must undergo a precise recalibration to restore them to their pre-accident condition. This ADAS calibration is crucial to ensure that all systems are performing as designed and maintaining optimal safety standards.

ADAS calibration (and recalibration) is the precise physical alignment, testing, and electronic aiming of sensors that collect data to inform your vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), like forward collision warning (FCW), lane departure warning (LDW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and several others.

Recalibration tells sensors where to look. It also shows sensors their position in relation to the vehicle. Most ADAS sensors require precise aiming. As AAA explains, “… a sensor on the car that is out of alignment by a fraction of an inch or even one degree will be aimed at an area significantly off axis 50 or more feet down the road.” Likewise, according to IIHS Advisory 43, a change as little as .6 degrees would cut the reaction time of AEB in half.

In a brand new vehicle, ADAS sensors are professionally set in their factory standard positions. All sensors point in the same, precise place. But, throughout a vehicle’s life, things happen that cause sensors to come out of alignment — collisions, minor fender benders, and adjacent repairs or parts replacement. For example, vehicles with a windshield-mounted forward ADAS camera will require calibration after windshield replacement.

Unfortunately, ADAS sensors don’t all have self-diagnostic capabilities to tell the driver when they are out of calibration. Automotive professionals need to know and follow OEM standards regarding ADAS calibration, so that a vehicle’s ADAS systems properly function.

To determine if your car has an ADAS windscreen, check your vehicle's owner's manual to see if it has any Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features, like lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, or automatic emergency braking, as these typically rely on a camera mounted behind the windscreen; if you see a small camera-like module behind your rearview mirror, it's a strong indication of an ADAS windscreen; you can also consult your car dealership or manufacturer's website to confirm your specific model's features. 

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