If you’ve purchased a vehicle in the past 10 years or so, you’ve probably noticed some major upgrades in the technology your car is capable of. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, commonly referred to as ADAS, is the fastest-growing automotive technology today. Although ADAS has been used since the 1950s when the anti-lock braking system was first introduced, the past 30 years has seen exponential growth and significant advances in real-life application of ADAS technology.

We’ve talked about the ADAS in the past. If you missed it, don’t worry! You can get yourself up to speed by clicking on the links below:

• Basics of ADAS
• Types of ADAS
• History of ADAS
• Limitations of ADAS
• Calibration of ADAS

In addition to some of the background and basics of ADAS, read below for 5 additional things to know about ADAS and what it will look like in the future.

1. ADAS ain’t going anywhere.

If the past 30 years told us anything, it’s that ADAS is here to stay. There are currently over 60 million vehicles in the United States that have ADAS and this number is increasing every single year. It used to be something a buyer would have to “add on” and pay a hefty sum for, but many manufacturers are making certain ADAS come standard even in entry-level vehicles. In fact, ADAS was available as a standard or optional feature on over 93% of vehicles manufactured in 2018, and this will continue to closer to 100% with each passing year.

2. ADAS needs to be right.

As the technology used in many types of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems become more sophisticated, it is important that you choose a shop that is well-versed in ADAS work. It’s not just about getting it done, it’s about getting it done right, as the safety of the driver and passengers is at stake.

In general, there are 2 types of ADAS: passive and active. Passive ADAS functions by alerting the driver to a possible issue like lane departure, but ultimately it is up to the driver to respond to the alert. Active ADAS is when your vehicle automatically responds to a potential threat, an example being emergency breaking. Both types of ADAS are useful, but as drivers continue to rely more and more on active ADAS, the preciseness of ADAS calibration becomes extremely important as you will see in the next section.

3. ADAS requires calibration.

Calibration, and more specifically precise and accurate calibration, is extremely important if your vehicle has Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in place. Calibration that is “close enough” is simply not good enough. It needs to be exact. Why?

Well, when you think about driving your vehicle, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings both near to you and further away, right?! Many Advanced Driver Assistance Systems rely on cameras and radar to successfully supply necessary information to the driver or to the automatic functioning of some of these ADAS. Cameras and radar are ADAS components, that at their core, operate much like a flashlight – the margin of error increases with distance. So, what a shop who is not experienced in ADAS calibration may think of as “close enough,” may be putting you and your loved ones at risk while driving.

We know that most of the latest electric vehicles (EVs) on the road have comprehensive ADAS in place, so it’s not surprising that windshield replacement in electric vehicles has always required calibration. But we mentioned earlier that in the US, over 60 million vehicles have ADAS, and of these vehicles, over 33% of them will require ADAS calibration for run-of-the mill automotive services such as:

• Windshield repair and windshield replacement
• Rear view mirror replacement
• Wheel alignment
• Sensor module replacement
• Front/rear suspension or steering repairs
• Any collision or air bag deployment
• Changes in ride height or tire size
• Any repair that requires the removal or installation of an ADAS component

4. ADAS and alignment are a must for accuracy.

All ADAS calibration must always start with an inspection of the vehicle’s alignment. For ADAS calibration to be accurate, the alignment of the wheels, thrust line, geometric centerline, and the rear individual toe. If one of these areas are not aligned correctly, it can affect every other type of alignment, which will make precise ADAS calibration impossible to meet the manufacturer’s requirements.

5. ADAS relies on the experts.

As you can see, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are an incredible display of modern technology and they are here to stay. With that knowledge, it is up to you to make sure that your vehicle’s ADAS is calibrated correctly. The friend of a friend of a friend who “kinda knows cars” and can “do it for cheap” is not the right person for this job. It’s vital to choose a shop that has experts who have been trained in ADAS calibration so you can help protect yourself and loved ones when out on the road. If you’ve noticed a chipped or cracked windshield and need a windshield repair or windshield replacement, Auto Glass 2020 has amazing techs who are experts in all things involving ADAS calibration. Rest assured that we will get your windshield repaired fast and calibrated exactly as per the manufacturer’s requirements. We don’t believe in “close enough” when it comes to ADAS calibration and your vehicle.

Windshield Damage?

If you’ve sustained windshield damage and your vehicle is one of the millions on the road with ADAS, call Auto Glass 2020 today at (480) 283-7751 or get a quote here! Not only do we offer both in-shop windshield replacement and mobile windshield repair services, but all of our technicians have extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to ADAS calibration.

**Plus, we have the BEST TECHS in town, the BEST INCENTIVES in town, and the BEST FAMILY OF CLIENTS in town.