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ADAS recalibration: when it's needed, signs, time and cost

© A. Krivonosov
Learn why ADAS recalibration is vital after impacts or windshield replacement, warning signs, service time (30-120 min) and cost (100-500 euros). Stay safe.
Michael Powers, Editor

Modern imported cars come loaded with ADAS driver-assistance features that raise the safety bar, from lane keeping to adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. Yet having these tools isn’t enough: they need periodic recalibration.

Any shift in the mounting position of cameras, radars or sensors—say, after an impact, a windshield replacement or body repair—can skew how the system works. Recalibration is done with high-precision equipment that checks parameters against factory specifications and adjusts them when needed.

Usually the car hints at the need for this procedure: warning lights on the instrument cluster, features switching themselves off, or helpers behaving oddly. On the road, that shows up as emergency braking activating later than it should, lane keeping that wanders within the lane, or blind-spot monitors triggering false alerts. Ignoring these clues isn’t an option, because safety is directly at stake.

The price of the service varies by vehicle and by how many systems are involved, but most jobs fall in the 100–500 euro range. Plan anywhere from half an hour to two hours. Recalibration can be handled by specialized workshops or glass-repair centers equipped for the task. Given the alternatives, the time and cost are a small trade-off.

Regular ADAS checkups not only sharpen system accuracy but also extend component life, reducing the chance of an error at the worst possible moment—one that could ultimately prove far more expensive.