What is ADAS?
ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, are safety features built into your car.
They work together to create automated and enhanced driver/passenger safety. They are meant to alert the driver to avoid collisions and other potential problems. Some Advanced Driver Assist Systems include adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance systems, connecting smartphones for hands-free dialing, automatic braking, and incorporation of GPS/traffic data, lane departure warnings, etc.
What ADAS systems are available?
Some now come standard in new vehicles and there are others that some manufacturers offer as options. ADAS fall under these categories in your vehicle:
- Adaptive Systems - can change/adapt based on data received from the surrounding environment.
- Automated Systems - take over and can perform certain functions that a driver cannot do safely.
- Monitoring Systems - using sensors and cameras, observe the area and the way the driver is handling the vehicle and will determine if a correction is needed.
- Warning Systems- alert the driver to potential issues in their driving or other vehicles that increase the risks of accidents and injuries.
Some examples you may be familiar with of these ADAS systems are:
- Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
- Automatic Breaking Systems
- Driver Drowsiness Detection
- Adaptive Headlights
- Adaptive Light Control
- Collision Avoidance System
- Forward Collision Warning
- Blind Spot Monitors
- Pedestrian Monitors
- Automatic parking
- Proximity monitors
- Lane Keep Assist
- Lane Departure Warning
How do I know if I have ADAS on my vehicle?
If you don’t know if your vehicle has ADAS we can help you and it’s very important to find out. ADAS are tied to the windshield and should it need repair or replacing it's very important to understand your ADAS because it impacts your safety. If your windshield needs replacement or repair the original manufacturer sets the standard for calibration for your ADAS systems and will determine if they should be reinstalled or recalibrated. The windshield is an important part of the ADAS and interlinked safety systems of your vehicle. We can help you. This is part of our industry since these safety systems play equal parts in keeping the driver and passenger safe. Replacements or repairs should take place immediately.
Examples of ADAS You Might See on Your Car Today
Blind Spot Warning Light: Typically this is on your side view mirror and will light up when there is a vehicle in your “blind spot”. This is to alert you of a vehicle or other types of road obstruction in this direction. The blind spot monitor detects other vehicles to help you avoid collision when you signal a lane change or back out of a parking spot.
Radar System: A radar system signals traffic issues that you might not be aware of. These include blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and cross-traffic interference at intersections, and are designed as an added safety feature.
Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure & Adaptive Cruise Control: The collision avoidance systems are designed to decrease the occurrence of avoidable crashes. Rear and forward collision warnings can bring your vehicle to a halt. Lane departure warnings are intended to help you stay in your lane. The goal is to significantly decrease accidents and injuries. Sensors assist with adaptive cruise control to help maintain a safe flow of traffic and following distance by automatically adjusting your cruising speed.
Be Safe!
In order to ensure that all of your advanced driver assistance safety systems are in proper working order, work with a windshield replacement or repair company that will manage calibration based on the manufacturers’ specifications and work with one that has a reputation of more than 70 years of excellent customer service for putting customer safety first!