Calibration Done Right: Tips and Common Mistakes
From our experience supporting repair shops across the country, we’ve identified several best practices that help keep ADAS calibrations accurate and dependable:
- Always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s repair procedures to prevent costly mistakes and reduce liability risks.
- Conduct thorough scans before and after repairs to find any hidden problems that could affect calibration.
- Keep your tools and software up to date to handle new vehicle models and evolving calibration needs.
- Document every calibration in detail for your records, to assure customers, and to meet insurer requirements.
- Perform road tests after calibrations to make sure all systems are working properly.
- Invest in ongoing training so your technicians stay up to date on new vehicle tech and calibration techniques.
Following these steps helps protect your business from liability while showing your commitment to quality repairs and customer safety.
Additionally, getting accurate ADAS calibration requires more than just having the right equipment.
Important ADAS Calibration Factors
Several important factors need careful attention to ensure success:
- Following the vehicle manufacturer’s repair procedures is essential. Missing even small steps can cause calibration errors and increase liability risks.
- The quality and capability of your equipment directly affect how accurate the calibration will be. Using reliable mobile ADAS calibration tools helps reduce mistakes and boost efficiency.
- Technician training and experience are key. Skilled technicians can spot and fix problems that might otherwise cause calibration errors.
- Keeping software updated and regularly maintaining equipment ensures your tools stay accurate and work with the latest vehicle models and calibration needs.
All these factors together decide whether a calibration is precise, consistent, and meets industry standards.
Common Pitfalls That Cause Calibration Failures
Even skilled collision repair shops can face issues that hurt calibration accuracy. Some common mistakes include:
- Skipping scans before or after repairs can overlook important problems.
- Outdated mobile ADAS calibration tools that aren’t compatible with newer vehicles.
- Ignoring technical bulletins from vehicle manufacturers.
- Doing calibrations in poor shop conditions, like uneven floors or bad lighting.
- Failing to check wheel alignment before starting calibration.
Avoiding these errors is key to keeping repair quality high, running an efficient shop, and maintaining customer trust.
If your shop wants to boost calibration accuracy, improve efficiency, and offer more value to customers and insurers, reach out to AirPro Diagnostics today. Our team is ready to help you get accurate ADAS calibrations every time.