Workshop equipment and automotive training specialist Ryans Automotive has issued some useful and highly relevant advice on the importance of ADAS calibration.  

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems have been mandatory on all new cars in the EU since 2021, but the technology had been in common use on cars for more than a decade before this. As a result cars of different sizes and ages can very often feature ADAS technology. 

Systems utilised include; front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane exit warning, lane assistant, blind spot monitoring, parking assistance/ self-parking, adaptive headlights and more. These systems rely on the input of various sensors, including radar, ultra sound and cameras that allows the car to “see” the road and the dangers around the vehicle.   

While some systems rely on a single sensor, others use a process called sensor fusion to combine multiple sensor inputs for improved awareness. 

If the calibration of these sensors is even slightly off of the original settings then the sensors will be feeding incorrect information to the ADAS systems which will mean they are not performing to their full effect and in some cases may actually cause danger. Miscalibration can be caused by a number of factors such as accidents, hitting kerbs, potholes or speed humps, as well as a change to components, tyres and windscreens. 

After any such incident, checking and recalibration of ADAS systems is recommended to guarantee the protection of drivers, passengers, other road users and pedestrians. As drivers become increasingly used to ADAS they are also relying on such systems more and more in everyday driving, so optimum performance is essential. 

All this means that garages, bodyshops, tyre shops and glazing specialist now need easy access to ADAS calibration. With ADAS becoming more and more common, carryingout calibration has become the best way to ensure the correct and safe functioning of ADAS systems. Indeed the workshop has a duty of care to the customer to ensure calibration is done correctly. By carrying out the process in-house workshops can also reduce customer waiting times and cut out unproductive labour hours which are often the result of outsourcing the process. 

Ryans Automotive can provide ADAS equipment from Smartsafe/Launch, Sice and Mahle from €5,950 +VAT, and can also provide live demonstrations on the Smartsafe/Launch and Sice equipment in its own workshop.

For more info visit www.ryansautomotive.ie or call 051 424799.