Why ADAS Information May Seem Hard to Find

With advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) introduction into high volume vehicles, it has forced the collision industry to move into an area of electronics that traditionally was reserved for mechanical technicians. So, how do mechanical technicians use this service information every day?

The first thing you need to understand is that mechanical technicians have a very different job than a collision repair technician. When a collision technician or an estimator approaches a vehicle, they are looking at the entire vehicle for damage and what systems may have been affect during the collision. A mechanical technician approaches a vehicle that has one single issue, perhaps with multiple symptoms, but typically there is a single fault causing all the symptoms.

How a mechanical technician approaches a vehicle is how a service manual approaches a vehicle, with a single fault. Most service manuals have flowcharts that take the mechanical technician through a step-by-step procedure of checks and various tests to diagnose the true problem in the system and all the steps necessary to complete the repair, including calibrations.

If an issue is caused by a broken wire, a bad ground, a blown fuse, or a damaged control module the flowchart will lead you to the cause of the issue. The problem on the collision repair side of things is that the vehicle may have all of these issues listed above happening at the same time as a result of the collision. In order to find all the information to properly repair a vehicle this service information is critical, which is why I-CAR created the OEM Calibration Requirements Search to make identifying and finding this repair information easier for the collision repair industry.

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


Related I-CAR Courses

  • Repairer Driven News: Rivian Updates Door Handle Procedure Sunday, 4 February 2035

    Repairer Driven News (RDN) released an article featuring an updated Rivian procedure.

  • 2025 SkillsUSA National Competition Results Monday, 30 June 2025

    The 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference took place on June 26, 2025. Every year I-CAR sends volunteers (virtually in 2021) to judge the collision repair technology competition....

  • Ford/Lincoln Rocker Panel Reinforcement Sectioning Friday, 27 June 2025

    We are often asked, “Can I section this panel?” Let’s take a look at Ford/Lincoln vehicles and sectioning the rocker panel reinforcement.

  • Back-To-Basics: Backside Panel Refinish And Edging Thursday, 26 June 2025

    Sometimes, going back to the basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. When repairing and refinishing, you might need to refinish the panel's backside and edges.

  • Hyundai Position Statement: Pre- And Post-Repair System Scanning - UPDATE Monday, 23 June 2025

    Hyundai released an updated position statement relating to pre- and post-repair system scanning.

  • App-Based Connected Services Considerations Tuesday, 17 June 2025

    Have you had an experience where the vehicle notified the owner that it was being moved while it was in your repair facility? App-based connected services are available from many vehicle makers and...

  • Digital Key Considerations Tuesday, 17 June 2025

    The intermingling of technology and automobiles continues, with digital key offerings from most vehicle makers. Digital keys utilize smartphone technology to expand vehicle access and owner...

  • Back-To-Basics: Tire Tread Pattern Wednesday, 11 June 2025

    Sometimes going back-to-basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. Let’s see how to identify tire tread patterns and their repair considerations.

  • Corrosion Protection Guidelines: Ford/Lincoln - UPDATE Tuesday, 10 June 2025

    A key factor in collision repair is making long-lasting repairs. When a vehicle is repaired, many areas of corrosion protection are disturbed. This creates corrosion hot spots that, left untreated,...

  • Rivian Restraints Wiring Thursday, 5 June 2025

    The question is often asked, "Can supplemental restraints system wiring be repaired?" The answer is: it depends on the vehicle maker. Let's take a look at Rivian's position on this subject.