Auto 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 auto repair industry.
Auto Repair Shops & ADAS
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ADAS is a never ending source of work, and it starts now
ADAS (or Advanced Driver Assistance System) is an increasingly common feature on almost all new vehicles. It’s also a big opportunity for any auto repair shop looking to grow its business. That’s because ADAS components require calibration whenever they’re disturbed in any way, resulting in a steady stream of ADAS work that will only increase in the future. Repair shops are well positioned to perform this profitable work and deliver the best customer service.
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.
Ready for ADAS?
How to get started doing ADAS calibrations
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Step 1: Learn about the market opportunity
More than 60 million vehicles have ADAS components, and that number continues to rise. The massive increase in ADAS systems means there is a growing need for ADAS resets and calibrations.
ADAS calibrations can be required by OEMs after common services like wheel alignment, windshield repair, and suspension repair. General repair shops are a natural fit for ADAS resets and calibrations since they are already providing alignments and suspension work.
Many shops are currently outsourcing ADAS work or customers are relying on car dealerships to provide resets. General auto shops are uniquely positioned to quickly get into the ADAS reset and calibration space and offer a rapidly growing service, that is here to stay.
ADAS reset and calibration market by the numbers:
1.5 million vehicles required ADAS service in an aftermarket shop in 2023.
60% of vehicles registered in the USA have ADAS components that need calibration if touched, moved or replaced.
$283 million in calibration work outsourced by shops in 2023.
90% of ADAS Calibrations are outsourced by mechanical shops.
$4 billion 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 calibrations after alignment.
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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 that shops should be providing can be done without additional space needed.
Wheel alignment is the gateway to ADAS and is already being performed in auto repair shops. Alignment bays are also a great place to start with ADAS resets because the space they provide can support ~93% of alignment related ADAS calibration needs.
Steering resets are already routinely being performed by shops doing alignments and can be considered the first step in ADAS calibrations. These resets do not require any additional space from the alignment bay. Steering resets also represent a large opportunity for general repair shops because they can be performed with alignment systems like the HawkEye Elite® right now. Tools like CodeLink® and ADASLink® allow shops to perform steering resets as part of the alignment process.
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 is required. When using a scan tool like ADASLink® paired with a Hunter HawkEye Elite® general repair shops can cover ~93% of steering resets and alignment related ADAS calibrations.
Here is a breakdown of that ~93% coverage; On average ~44% of the vehicles you align will just need the alignment to be completed and nothing else. ~49% of the vehicles getting alignments will require or recommend some ADAS calibration in conjunction with doing the alignment. Those ADAS resets and steering resets can be performed with the space you already have in your alignment bay, or by driving the vehicle for a dynamic calibration using ADASLink®. The remaining ~7% typically require placing static fixtures, often times only in the front of the vehicle for forward facing cameras or radars, or the vehicle was just released and the reset procedure has not yet been accounted for in the specification database of the alignment system.
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 forward-facing camera and forward-facing radar calibrations can be performed within your existing alignment bay using tools like Hunter’s Ultimate ADAS® or the DAS 3000 fixture paired with ADASLink®. Ultimate ADAS® can account for surface mount lifts and uneven floors and uses laser gimbals and easy on-screen instructions to guide technicians to precise target placement.
Calibrations that need more space can often times work in existing space by getting creative with vehicle placement, i.e. backing the vehicle up on the lift rack to create more space in front of the vehicle, backing the vehicle into the bay to use the drive-up space for target placement, or moving the system to a flat bay. Vehicles may also be moved around side to side or back to front within the bay itself to complete calibrations.
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 DAS 3000 Static Calibration Fixture.
When you're ready to fully own ADAS work at your repair shop, Hunter Ultimate ADAS® will allow you to do alignments and ADAS with ease.
Contact your local Hunter team to start growing your business.
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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.
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Step 5: Establish what you will charge for ADAS calibrations
Profits can be substantial 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. 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 increase your shop's profitability.
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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
More — there's always more!
Contact your local Hunter representative.
Keep ADAS Work In-House
Discover the top reasons why tire shops should be performing in-house ADAS calibrations.
Tap into Growing Market
Complement Existing Services
Provide OEM required service
Enhance Vehicle Safety
New Revenue Opportunity
Customer Loyalty
Future Proofing your shop
Stay Ahead of Competition
Calibration Revenue Opportunities
Explore what your shop can charge for ADAS Calibrations.
(All prices are based on estimates and are subject to shop discretion)
1 added Alignment per day
$119 per alignment at 5 workdays per week
= Additional $31,000 per year
1 ADAS reset per day
$232 per ADAS Reset
5 workdays per week
= +$41,412 per year
Windshield Camera Sensors
Labor Hours: 3.3 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $363
Rear Radar Sensors
Labor Hours: 1.6 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $176
Front Radar Sensors
Labor House: 1.6 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $176
Ultrasonic Sensors
Labor Hours: 1.6 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $176
Side Mirror Sensors
Labor Hours: 3.3 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $363
Rear Cameras
Labor Hours: 3.3 + Labor Cost: $110
= ~ $363
Sources: NewsRoom.AAA.com, 2019 AAA Driving Costs Study, 2020 CCC Intelligent Solutions Study
25+ million vehicles with static or dynamic calibration procedures
Performing ADAS Calibrations
Static adas Calibration
This type of calibration is specifically tailored for a workshop environment.
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 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.
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.
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.
You're already doing the work, just add the calibration! No extra Space needed
Most vehicles will not need all ADAS functions adjusted at the same time, so simultaneous front, side and rear views are rarely necessary. When multiple systems do require service, the vehicle can be repositioned within the existing space for each individual calibration.
The Proof is in the Printout
Provide your customers with solid evidence that they are getting the best service possible.
Coming Soon!
Talk to your Customers about ADAS
Learn how to inform and educate your customers about the necessity of ADAS calibrations.
ADAS Training
Prepare your techs to become ADAS experts through Hunter University.
Coming Soon!
Hunter ADAS Video Hub
From ADAS explainer videos to operation videos to customer testimonials, learn what you need to know about ADAS for your shop.
ADAS Learning Tool
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Use Hunter's new fully interactive ADAS Learning Tool to better understand ADAS.
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Explore Hunter ADAS Products
Ultimate ADAS®
Generate fully-documented confirmation of wheel alignment and ADAS calibrations in one easy-to-use, error-proof machine.
ADAS Calibration Tools
Calibrate ADAS using aftermarket or OEM solutions. Hunter offers quality ADAS Calibration tools and equipment for any shop.
ADAS Accessories
Shop for ADAS accessories online and find the right tools for you and your shop.
