Preparing The Vehicle For Calibration

Calibration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is a somewhat sensitive procedure. The cameras and sensors used are highly technical and can be mis-calibrated if all requirements are not met before calibration is performed. It’s important to carefully read the calibration procedure to make sure that the vehicle meets all of the requirements before starting.

In order to calibrate a camera or sensor, the vehicle has to be sitting in an area with very specific requirements. Normally this means that the surface the vehicle is parked on has a limited slope or is level. It also means that the vehicle needs to have a controlled ride height and level. Many calibrations require that the fuel tank be filled. You may be required to unload any heavy objects from the vehicle. The spare tire may also need to be in the correct place to ensure the vehicle is at the proper weight and at the correct ride height. If the wrong tire size is installed, it can also affect the calibration. You may even see warnings of not to enter the vehicle while the calibration is being performed.

Making sure to get the vehicle properly prepared before starting calibration is the key to success when calibrating. The accuracy of ADAS relies on the accuracy of the calibration.

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