After replacing the windshield, calibrations are mandatory and essential to ensure the cameras and sensors are working correctly. If the sensors are not properly calibrated, it could result in incorrect readings and the potential for accidents.
Glass Repair Shops & ADAS Calibrations
It's time to offer ADAS calibration service with confidence. Here is why you want to stay ahead in the evolving glass repair industry.
ADAS Glass Repair Shop
/
Glass repairs are an integral part of safety & ADAS
ADAS (or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) is an increasingly-common feature, with more modern vehicles being equipped with ADAS features than ever before - with a lot residing in the windshield portion of the car. ADAS calibration is usually required whenever glass repair or replacement occurs. By including ADAS services, glass repair shops can capture this profitable work while the vehicles are there, otherwise that service has to be outsourced.
Understanding ADAS
What is ADAS?
Advanced Driver Awareness Systems (ADAS) employs radar, sensors and cameras to assess a vehicle's speed, tendencies and environment. This information is used to reduce the driver's recognition time, processing time, decision time and response time.
What are ADAS Calibrations?
ADAS calibration is the critically precise placement, alignment and testing of electronic sensors. ADAS calibration aims to ensure these components have correct data input to respond accurately and effectively to the car’s surroundings. Miscalibrated ADAS components can have a serious impact on vehicle safety.
Why service ADAS Calibrations?
Discover the top reasons why collision repair shops should be performing in-house ADAS calibrations
Enhance Vehicle Safety
New Revenue Opportunity
Maintaining OEM compliance
Stay Ahead of Competition
-
Step 1: Learn about the market opportunity
Today, more than 60 million vehicles have ADAS components, and that number will only increase. As ADAS continues to make further advancements, there is a major incline in the need for ADAS calibrations. ADAS calibrations are required after common services like wheel alignment, tire replacements, windshield repair, and suspension repair. The bottom line is this is a profitable business opportunity that you don't want to miss out on. If you're not doing ADAS now, your shop might fall behind with competition servicing more ADAS-equipped vehicles.
ADAS calibration and market opportunity statistics:
Vehicles requiring ADAS Service - 1.5 million require ADAS service in an aftermarket shop in 2023.
Vehicles with ADAS Components - 60% of vehicles registered in the USA that have ADAS components that need calibration if touched, moved, or replaced.
Revenue Outsourced by Shops - $283 million in calibration work outsourced by shops in 2023.
Outsourced by Mechanical Shops - 90% of ADAS calibrations are outsourced by mechanical shops.
Growing Market Opportunity - $4 Million in projected revenue generated across the industry from ADAS calibrations in 2030.
ADAS calibrations are a great service to offer with alignments and many forward-facing calibrations can be done within the space already alotted for alignments. Many OEMs have models that require ADAS calibration after alignment.
-
Step 2: Understand how much space is needed, or more often, not needed
Space requirements depend on the make and the model being serviced and is determined by the OEM.
However, many calibrations can be done without additional space needed.
Dynamic calibrations are performed by plugging a scan tool into the vehicle and then driving the vehicle on the road to calibrate the system. No additional space required.
Static calibrations are performed by placing targets around the vehicle for the systems to use as reference when performing the calibration. The space needed is determined by the OEM, but many calibrations can be peformed within your existing alignment bay. The most common calibration is a forward-facing camera or radar and many of these calibrations can be peformed in a standard alignment bay with minimal adjustments. Calibrations that need more space can often times work with existing space by getting creative with vehicle place.
Having a trusted partner you can call for support goes a long way with making your space work. Reach out to your local Hunter team to learn more: www.hunter.com/contact.
-
Step 3: Grow your business with the right tools for your shop
There are many approaches to getting started with ADAS calibrations, but the easiest place to start is to build on the alignment work that you are already doing by investing in a scan-tool such as the Hunter ADASLink® that can handle steering resets and dynamic calibrations.
From there, when you are ready to expand into forward facing static calibrations, you can build on your alignment business by adding a fixture like the DAS3000 Static Calibration Fixture.
When you're ready to fully own ADAS work at your shop, Hunter Ultimate ADAS® will allow you to do alignments and ADAS with ease.
Contact your local Hunter team to start growing your business.
-
Step 4: Get expert training and support for your technicians
Even before you purchase ADAS calibration equipment, you and your technicians can get up to speed on ADAS calibrations by utilizing resources like Hunter University, which offers free, easily-digestible online courses that can lay the groundwork for better understanding of ADAS concepts.
When you're ready to purchase ADAS calibration equipment, your local Hunter team can help you find the right equipment for your shop. This includes installation, maintenance, and on-site equipment training. For more in-depth, hands-on experience, you can visit one of our 50+ training centers across the United States and Canada for guidance from one of our dedicated field trainers.
-
Step 5: Establish what you will charge for ADAS calibrations
Profits are endless with ADAS Calibrations. They are based on what your shop wants to charge + what insurance companies set as the precedent. The value here, is that you set the price you're willing to charge for calibrations. Here is a breakdown of proposed profits you can enjoy once you add calibrations to your shop:
If you calibrate 5 cars per week x 51 working weeks in a year x ~ $232 (Price of ADAS Calibration) x 70% Profit margin per ADAS Calibration = $41,412 of Unrealized Annual Gross Profit (Note: Varies from $100 to $450+ per; CCC Crash Course 2020 Average)
The facts are: ADAS is here, calibrations are required and other shops are doing it. The only question is when will you start and how much will you charge? See below for our breakdown of calibration profits per ADAS systems and visit our ROI calculators to see how our equipment can make your shop money.
-
Step 6: Communicate ADAS needs with your customers
Educating and talking to your customers about ADAS should be easy. Especially if you have something you can use at your fingertips.
Hunter Engineering already has the resources available to communicate the basics. There are many tools available to you right now.
Video Education — available for display in your shop waiting areas:
ADAS requires wheel alignment to work properly: What vehicle owners should know
Interactive touch tool — installed on a localized tablet or touchscreen:
ADAS Learning Tool | Hunter Engineering Company ®
What is ADAS? web page — displayed on your interactive device:
Hunter® Industry Insights | What is ADAS?
Counter mat — a printed reminder right at your counter top or point of sale:
Maintaining the Safety Systems in your car - download
Printed take-away brochure template — to customize and print with your logo:
What is ADAS? Counter Sales Brochure
Printed take-away Direct Mail Card templates — to customize and print with your logo:
What is ADAS? Direct Mail template
More — there's always more!
Contact your local Hunter representative.
Calibration Profit Opportunities
Explore what your shop can charge for ADAS Calibrations.
(All prices are based on estimates and are subject to shop discretion)
Front Cameras
Labor Hours: 3.3 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $363
Windshield Camera Sensors
Labor Hours: 3.3 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $363
Rear Cameras
Labor Hours: 3.3 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $363
Front Radar Sensors
Labor House: 1.6 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $176
Rear Radar Sensors
Labor Hours: 1.6 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $176
Side Mirror Sensors
Labor Hours: 3.3 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $363
Why service ADAS Calibrations?
Discover the top reasons why glass repair shops should be performing in-house ADAS calibrations
ADAS Sensors in Windshields
Growing Market
ADAS systems are now standard in most vehicles. Glass repair shops can tap into this growing market by providing ADAS calibration services that are essential and profitable.
OEM Compliance
With ADAS standards set by each OEM, calibrations need to be in-line with those specifications to ensure safe and accurate readings. Doing calibrations without proper OEM specs. could result in miscalibrated vehicles.
Added Revenue Stream
Cars that require windshield repair or replacement and have ADAS sensors in them, require calibrations.
ADAS Calibrations & Glass Repair Services
Integrating ADAS calibrations based on services you are already performing.
Windshield Replacement
After replacing the windshield, calibrations are mandatory and essential to ensure the cameras and sensors are working correctly.
Windshield Repair
Many vehicles have sensors and cameras that are directly mounted onto the windshield. Any repairs or replacements that effect the windshield means the ADAS systems within need to be recalibrated for features like lane-assist and collision warnings to function properly.
Mirror Replacement
Many of the mirrors on vehicles now have ADAS features like blind-spot monitoring or lane-changing assistance. Any damage to the mirrors or doors means calibration is required.
Static adas Calibration
This type of calibration is specifically tailored for a workshop environment.
Procedure Requirements
Static Calibration Procedure Requirements
One of this biggest popular misconception about ADAS Calibration is that it requires huge floor space.
Floor space
It's a popular misconception that ADAS calibrations require huge floor space. The majority of forward-facing calibrations can be performed in almost any shop.
- Minimum — 25 ft. x 34 ft.
- Recommended — 30 ft. x 45 ft.
- Optimal — 40 ft. x 60 ft.
Moderate lighting
- The calibration area should be well lit with evenly diffused and distributed light.
- Cover any windows with direct sunlight during calibration.
- Avoid any directional lighting around the vehicle during calibration
Flat floor
- The floor of the calibration space should be level, or ADAS equipment that compensates for non-level floors should be used. Learn more about Ultimate ADAS
- To evaluate a floor, take transit measurements at anticipated wheel footprints.
- The difference between the side-to-side and front-to-back measurements should be no more than 0.4 inches (10 mm).
Solid, neutral wall color
- The area outside of the calibration area should be clear of geometric patterns.
- Floors and walls should be one solid, light neutral color.
- During recalibration, the surroundings should be clear.
Recommended Tools
Recommended Hunter equipment for static ADAS calibrations
Hunter Ultimate ADAS®
Perform wheel alignment and all static ADAS calibrations in the same bay, with the same equipment.
ADASLink® + DAS3000
Another option for your shop is to integrate the ADASLink Scan Tool in combination with the DAS3000 that allows your shop to complete static calibrations, enabling you to perform all calibration needs.
Dynamic adas Calibration
Dynamic calibration refers to calibrations performed when the vehicle is driving, or in motion
Procedure Requirements
Dynamic Calibration Procedure Requirements
ADAS calibration tool
The most basic requirement for dynamic ADAS calibrations is having a reliable calibration tool.
Nearby highway
A nearby highway with clear lane markings and little traffic so vehicles can reach speed without obstructions will be most convenient.
Recommended Tools
ADASLink® Scan Tool
The simplest way to get started is with the ADASLink scan tool. The scan tool plugs directly into the vehicle to enable technicians to complete dynamic calibrations.
The Proof is in the Printout
Provide your customers with solid evidence that they are getting the best service possible.
1, 2, 3, ADAS
1
Diagnostic Scan Tool
2
DAS3000
3
Ultimate ADAS®
ADASLink®
Ease into dynamic ADAS calibration with ADASLink®, the full diagnostic scan tool.
DAS3000
Step up the game by incorporating DAS3000, a comprehensive ADAS solution that can be paired with the Bosch scan tool.
Ultimate ADAS®
Have the complete ADAS package by incorporating Ultimate ADAS®. With guided procedures and printed results, Ultimate ADAS® is the best-in-class solution for calibrations.
