It wasn’t that long ago that ADAS was something you mainly associated with high-end or newer vehicles.
That’s changed.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are now fitted across a huge range of vehicles coming into workshops every day. Cameras, radar and sensors are being used for everything from autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control to lane assist and parking systems.
For garages, that means ADAS isn’t something to think about in a few years’ time. If you’re working on modern vehicles, you need to understand it now.
It’s Not Just Accident Repair
One of the things we regularly talk about on our ADAS courses is just how many everyday jobs can affect an ADAS system.
Calibration may need to be considered following work such as:
- Windscreen replacement
- Wheel alignment
- Suspension or steering work
- Bumper removal or replacement
- Accident and body repairs
- Camera or sensor replacement
- Changes to ride height
It doesn’t necessarily take a major repair to affect the position or operation of a camera or sensor.
That’s why knowing when calibration is required is just as important as knowing how to carry it out.
Getting It Nearly Right Isn’t Good Enough
ADAS systems are there to support the driver and, in many cases, intervene in safety-critical situations.
If a camera or radar is incorrectly calibrated, the system may not be seeing the road in quite the way it should.
And when you’re talking about systems controlling or influencing braking, steering and vehicle positioning, ‘nearly right’ isn’t where you want to be.
There’s also a responsibility on the workshop carrying out the work. If you’ve completed a repair that affects an ADAS system, you need to know what the manufacturer requires and be confident that the vehicle is being returned to the customer correctly.
Your Customer Probably Won’t Know – But You Need To
Most customers aren’t going to bring their car in and tell you that the forward-facing camera needs recalibrating after you’ve replaced a component.
That’s not their job.
They expect the garage to know.
They also expect all the safety systems fitted to their vehicle to be working properly when they get it back.
As technicians and workshops, understanding ADAS is becoming part of doing the job properly on modern vehicles.
Buying the Equipment Isn’t the Same as Knowing How to Use It
We see this across the industry with new technology. Buying the kit is one thing. Understanding what you’re doing with it is another.
Good ADAS training should give technicians an understanding of the whole process – not just which buttons to press.
That includes understanding:
- The different ADAS technologies fitted to vehicles
- When calibration is required
- Static and dynamic calibration
- Vehicle and workshop preparation
- Correct use of calibration equipment
- Manufacturer procedures
- How to confirm and document the calibration
Because when you’re working with safety-critical systems, following the correct process matters.
Is It Time to Bring ADAS Into Your Workshop?
For garage owners and managers, there’s another consideration.
If you’re regularly sending ADAS work elsewhere, is there a point where it makes sense to develop that capability within your own workshop?
Bringing calibration in-house isn’t going to be right for every business. You need the equipment, the right environment and, importantly, technicians who are properly trained.
But as the number of ADAS-equipped vehicles continues to increase, it’s a conversation more workshops should be having.
For technicians, it’s also another valuable skill to have as the job continues to change.
How Pro-Tech Can Help
At Pro-Tech, we offer ADAS training for different levels of experience – whether you need a better understanding of the technology, want to carry out calibrations, or are looking to develop more advanced diagnostic skills.
Our current ADAS training includes:
- Level 1 Award in ADAS Awareness – a foundation-level introduction to how ADAS works and why it matters.
- Level 2 Technical Specialist in ADAS Calibration (Award) – developing the practical skills needed to calibrate ADAS systems safely and accurately.
- Level 3 Technical Specialist in Diagnosing, Rectifying and Recalibrating ADAS Components (Award) – for technicians looking to develop more advanced fault-finding, repair and recalibration skills.
- AOM012 4-Wheel Alignment Accreditation – demonstrating competence in four-wheel alignment and correcting vehicle geometry.
- AOM230 ADAS Calibration Technician Accreditation – demonstrating competence in carrying out ADAS calibration procedures.
Whichever level you’re currently at, the aim is the same: to give you practical knowledge and skills that you can take back into the workshop and actually use.
You can view all of our ADAS courses and find the right training for you here.
Or, if you’re not sure which course you need, get in touch and we’ll talk you through the options.
Call: 01283 734427
Email: info@pro-techacademy.co.uk
Visit: www.pro-techacademy.co.uk
Skill up. Stand out. Succeed.
