Advanced driver assistance systems or ‘ADAS’ need calibration from time to time to ensure that they are operating as intended to avoid incidents such as collisions. They also help by streamlining the driving process by taking as much strain away from the driver as possible.
You will likely need ADAS calibration after major vehicle repairs, accidents, or after a windscreen replacement.
What is ADAS calibration?
ADAS calibration is the process of using highly specialised equipment to adjust the cameras and sensors used by a vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems.
This is performed meticulously to a very high level of accuracy every time, because even a slightly misaligned camera or sensor could lead to severe complications (depending on which ADAS features your vehicle has). This procedure can be done in two ways: dynamic and static. Each method has advantages and drawbacks, but we’ll get onto those later.
Why do I need ADAS calibration?
You need ADAS calibration to ensure all sensors and cameras are positioned and working correctly, so they can work in unison creating an effective set of systems in your vehicle.
Poorly calibrated ADAS can lead to issues such as false warning (your car will beep or flag obstacles or other warnings when it shouldn’t), and even false interventions in some cases.
These issues are primarily just frustrating to the driver, as they can be distracting. However, in some cases, these problems will actually be dangerous. If your car senses an obstacle that isn’t actually there and applies emergency brakes, you could end up in an incident.
Similarly, if the ADAS detects that you are slowly leaving your lane on a motorway and ‘corrects’ this issue, you could find yourself drifting slowly into another lane without realising.
Advantages and disadvantages of dynamic calibration
Dynamic ADAS calibration involves adjusting the cameras and sensors whilst the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle is driven through a range of scenarios and conditions, with the goal for advanced systems to learn how to react to this range of road conditions and deliver safe results under every circumstance.
Advantages:
- Dynamic calibration is highly accurate, delivering much more acute results than static calibration. This is because it considers a range of real world conditions and trains your systems to react to them.
- A more versatile option, dynamic calibration is suitable for more ADAS features. This includes systems such as lane departure warning and even adaptive cruise control. We would recommend getting in touch with your vehicle manufacturer to discover what features your vehicle has.
- This method minimises the number of errors in ADAS application as it accounts for real life variables such as weather and road conditions. The outcome of this is safer features which reduce risk of error.
Disadvantages:
- Often, dynamic ADAS calibration is more expensive than static calibration. This is because it takes longer and requires a controlled environment. You should consider what ADAS features you have, and whether your vehicle would benefit from dynamic calibration enough to justify the extra spend. This is something you could also discuss with a mechanic.
- Takes longer than static calibration (normally). To achieve effective and reliable results from this method, the car and equipment must collect lots of data, which can take a little longer. The upside of this is that lots of data means more accurate systems, increasing safety and efficiency.
- Requires highly specialised professionals. This impacts costs and availability, as proceeding with dynamic calibration without a suitable mechanic/engineer can lead to safety concerns due to inhibited accuracy. However, with our field experts, we know you’ll never run into this issue.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Static Calibration
Static calibration consists of adjusting the sensors and cameras whilst your vehicle is stationary. It’s the more common method of calibration, is performed using specialised software and hardware to accurately position cameras correctly and tune sensors, and it usually delivers accurate results.
Advantages
- Static calibration is not dependent on weather conditions. Unlike dynamic calibration, static calibration is usually done inside a workshop, so it does not matter if the weather conditions are not appropriate. In general, static calibration is more convenient to carry out.
- Takes less time so if you are pushed for time and need a slightly quicker fix, this method is likely preferable for you.
- Static calibration is a cheaper option than dynamic. All it requires is specialised equipment and a controlled environment. Another reason it is cheaper is because it is a shorter process for an engineer to carry out.
Disadvantages
- Static calibration is less accurate. As this method does not account for weather and road conditions, its results are less accurate. This lower accuracy would only ever be a safety concern if the calibration was carried out incorrectly, but it may still lead to slightly less fluid ADAS functions.
- This method is limited to certain ADAS features. More complex ADAS requires dynamic calibration to work safely and correctly, so you should make sure you’re aware of all your vehicle’s systems so you can make the right decisions.
- Needs highly skilled professionals to carry out. Static ADAS calibration requirements vary a lot between vehicles and models, as well as the specific systems in place. The person carrying out this technique needs to have a depth of knowledge and training to do it effectively. Low quality recalibrations could come with safety concerns through ADAS not working as intended.
Should I get Dynamic or Static ADAS Calibration?
As dynamic and static ADAS calibrations have different strengths and weaknesses, we would recommend considering all of the above points to choose the best option for you. Ensure you know your vehicle and all of its systems to help you make the right decision.
Contact us at Lancashire ADAS if you aren’t sure what’s best for you, you want to book in a calibration, or for any general enquiries.