Service
ADAS Calibration
ADAS calibration returns the cameras, radar units and sensors behind your driver assistance features to manufacturer specification after glass, alignment, suspension or collision work.
Advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, are the features that read the road and act on what they find: adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition and electronic stability control. The idea is not new. The anti-lock braking system arrived in the 1970s and everything since has built on it. What these features share is a dependence on cameras, radar units and sensors aimed to exact manufacturer specifications. They read lane markings, signs and other vehicles, then respond by correcting your steering or applying the brakes.
Calibration is what keeps those components pointed where the manufacturer intended. When one is knocked out of specification, the system does not simply switch itself off. It can respond incorrectly, activate late, activate for no reason, or stop working while still appearing available on the dashboard. Several routine jobs move these components enough to matter, including windshield repair and replacement, wheel alignment, suspension repair and tire replacement. So does a collision, and a minor impact or body repair is enough to do it.
ADAS calibration is an intricate procedure that requires specific equipment and training rather than a general alignment rack. McNeil’s performs both static calibration, carried out in the shop against manufacturer targets, and dynamic calibration, which requires a road drive under set conditions. Which one your vehicle needs is determined by the manufacturer rather than by preference, and some vehicles require both. Our ASE, Master and World Class certified technicians work on all makes and models.
If your vehicle has had glass, alignment, suspension or tire work done, or has been in an accident of any size, it is worth having the systems checked rather than assuming they came through it. You are told what was out of specification and what was corrected. Both McNeil’s shops are open Monday to Friday and offer loaner cars, a local shuttle and free Wi-Fi while you wait.
Questions
ADAS Calibration, answered
- What is ADAS calibration and why does my vehicle need it?
- Advanced driver assistance systems rely on cameras, radar and sensors aimed to exact manufacturer specifications. Calibration returns those components to spec after they have been disturbed. Without it, features such as lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking can read the road inaccurately.
- When does ADAS calibration become necessary?
- Calibration is needed whenever a camera, radar unit or sensor is knocked out of manufacturer specification. Several common jobs can do this, including wheel alignment, suspension repair and windshield replacement, as can a collision. If your vehicle has had any of that work done, the systems should be rechecked.
- Can I keep driving if my ADAS is out of calibration?
- The vehicle will usually drive, but its driver assistance features may misjudge distances or lane position, and some will disable themselves and show a warning. Since these systems are designed to intervene in an emergency, a system reading the road incorrectly is worth correcting promptly.
- Does McNeil's calibrate ADAS on all makes and models?
- Yes. ADAS calibration is an intricate procedure requiring specific equipment and training, and we work on all makes and models. Our technicians follow manufacturer procedures rather than generic settings, and you get a clear explanation of what was out of specification and what was corrected.
- How much does ADAS calibration cost?
- Cost depends on the vehicle and which systems need calibrating, since some require a static procedure in the workshop and others a road drive. It is often needed after a windshield replacement or alignment. We confirm what your vehicle requires and the price beforehand.
Qualifying repairs are covered nationwide
McNeil’s is a NAPA Gold certified shop with ASE certified technicians, and qualifying work carries a 36 month, 36,000 mile warranty honored at participating NAPA AutoCare shops across the country rather than only here.
