Protyre, your ADAS calibration specialists
As technology makes major advancements within the motor industry, the onus is on garages to adapt. Protyre have moved with the times by installing Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) calibration equipment in our garages and providing the necessary training to our technicians to ensure that we are able to cater for vehicles with ADAS installed.
What is ADAS?
Designed to provide safety and comfort while driving, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are becoming ever more common in the latest generation of vehicles.
ADAS is designed to avoid collisions and accidents by offering technologies that alert the driver to potential problems, or to avoid collisions by implementing safeguards and taking control of the vehicle. Some examples include autonomous emergency braking, cruise control, lane departure and pedestrian and traffic sign recognition.
ADAS Calibration
To do their jobs, ADAS rely on inputs from a variety of sensors that allow the systems to “see” what is happening around the vehicle. The most common are cameras and ultrasonic sensors. Steering sensors are also used to help determine the direction of vehicle travel. Some systems use information from a single type of sensor, but others combine information from multiple sensors to obtain a more accurate “view” of the vehicles situation.
Every time a piece of body work, including the front and rear windows, needs replacing or repairing, the ADAS systems within those parts of the vehicle will need to be re-calibrated to ensure they continue working as expected on the roads.
A misaligned camera could lead to incorrect readings and ultimately an accident. Considering that sensors can be found on almost every side of a vehicle, any work done will usually result in the ADAS system requiring re-calibration.
The Effects of Alignment on ADAS
By having your wheels correctly aligned you benefit from a more even wear and a longer life span for your tyres. Wheel alignment problems are often caused by hitting a pothole or kerb, in turn placing an increased load on steering and suspension components.
Vehicle suspension misalignment can result in rapid irregular tyre wear, poor handling and reduced vehicle safety and occurs when the suspension and the steering system are not working at their correct angles.
In relation to ADAS, when your wheel alignment is misaligned the direction which the ADAS sensors project is warped (see diagram below).
Vehicles equipped with ADAS, especially lane departure and emergency braking, need to be properly aligned with how the vehicle is traveling down the road. Cameras and sensors use different inputs from the vehicle, such as the steering angle sensor.
If the steering angle sensor is adjusted during a wheel alignment, the forward-facing camera, which controls the lane departure warning, may think the steering wheel is turned. This can signal the vehicle to correct the steering to stay on the road, even though the vehicle is traveling between the lines.
Book your vehicle in for an ADAS calibration appointment
Fill out the form below to make an ADAS enquiry and we will be in touch to book your vehicle in.