Additional Calibration Requirements: General Motors

The addition of the OEM Calibration Requirements Search to the RTS portal was a big step for the collision industry. While this new feature has been well received, there has been some confusion about what is included in the search tool. The OEM Calibration Requirements Search is designed to provide information on the calibration requirements that are needed for vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and collision braking.

It does not include occupant classification systems (OCS), steering angle sensors, battery disconnects, or other calibrations/initializations required, when not related directly to ADAS. Let’s take a look at what additional items may require calibrations/initializations on General Motors (GM) vehicles.

GM has a Control Module References list located in the vehicle-specific body repair manuals. This identifies what is required when replacing a component. Some of the items that may require calibration/initialization include the:

• radio.
• air conditioning compressor.
• electronic brake control.
• sunroof.
• steering wheel and column.
• hands free liftgate.

There is also a specific warning for disconnecting the battery. Per the GM body repair manual, “Disconnecting power to the OnStar® module in any way while the ignition is On or with retained accessory power activated may cause activation of the OnStar® Back-Up Battery system and will discharge and permanently damage the back-up battery. Once the Back-Up Battery is activated it will stay on until it has completely discharged. The back-up battery is not rechargeable and once activated the back-up battery must be replaced.”

There are many more systems that may need to be calibrated after removal or a collision. Make sure to check the repair manual to know what systems may be affected by the repairs that you are performing to help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.

For additional GM information, check out the following pages:
Chevrolet OEM Information
GMC OEM Information
Buick OEM Information
Cadillac OEM Information

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

• ADAS, Calibration, And Scanning Article Hotspot
• Additional Calibration Requirements
• Calibration Research Tips
• Collision Information Website Access: General Motors
• Locating ADAS Information: GM - UPDATE

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