How Will ADAS Shape the Future of Your Auto and Tire Repair Shop?

Understanding ADAS and Its Impact on Your Shop

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are transforming road safety and the driving experience. These systems use cameras, radar and other sensors to monitor a vehicle’s surroundings and assist drivers in recognizing and responding to potential hazards.

In a NHTSA study of crash causation, the critical reason for the crash was assigned to the driver in 94% of the crashes studied.[1] Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has also found that widespread deployment of certain ADAS technologies has the potential to prevent approximately 40% of passenger-vehicle crashes.[2]

As these technologies become increasingly common, maintaining and properly calibrating ADAS-equipped vehicles will become an increasingly important capability for auto and tire service shops. Shops that invest in ADAS knowledge, training and equipment can position themselves to meet growing service demand while keeping more work in-house.

What Is ADAS and How Many Cars Have It?

ADAS encompasses a broad range of technologies designed to assist drivers. These systems generally fall into two categories:

  • Active ADAS: Systems that can actively intervene to help prevent or reduce the severity of a collision, such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).
  • Passive ADAS: Systems that alert the driver to a potential hazard, such as certain blind spot or lane departure warning systems.

An industry forecast estimated that approximately 30% of vehicles on North American roads were ADAS-equipped in 2022, with that figure projected to reach 47% by 2025 and 75% by 2030.[3]

ADAS features are also widely available across the new-vehicle market. As early as 2018, AAA found that at least one ADAS feature was available on 92.7% of new vehicle models sold in the United States.[4]

As newer vehicles replace older ones on the road, shops can expect to encounter ADAS-equipped vehicles with increasing frequency.

Regulatory Changes: NHTSA and Automatic Emergency Braking

The ADAS landscape is also being shaped by regulatory requirements.

NHTSA finalized a rule requiring Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, to be standard on all new passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029.[5] NHTSA estimates the new standard will save at least 360 lives and prevent at least 24,000 injuries each year.

For service shops, the continued expansion of ADAS means understanding how repairs, alignments and other services can affect these systems will become increasingly important.

Much like Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) became a standard part of vehicle service, ADAS presents another opportunity for shops to develop the equipment and expertise needed to service the next generation of vehicles.

The Importance of ADAS Calibration

Proper ADAS calibration is critical to helping these systems perform as designed. Cameras, radar and other sensors rely on precise positioning and measurements to accurately interpret the vehicle’s surroundings.

Calibration requirements vary by vehicle and manufacturer, so technicians should always consult the OEM repair procedure for the specific year, make and model.[6]

Depending on the vehicle and ADAS system, calibration may be required following:

  • Wheel alignment or suspension repair
  • Changes in tire size or ride height
  • Collision repairs
  • Front airbag deployment
  • Windshield replacement
  • Side-view mirror replacement
  • Camera or sensor removal and replacement
  • Mechanical repairs that require removing ADAS-related components
  • The presence of certain diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)

Even repairs that may seem unrelated to ADAS can affect the positioning or operation of cameras and sensors.

For vehicle-specific guidance, technicians can use Autel’s ADAS Vehicle Coverage and Calibration Guide to determine applicable calibration procedures.

Identifying Vehicles with ADAS

Knowing how to identify ADAS-equipped vehicles is becoming increasingly important for service technicians.

Some common indicators include:

  • Windshield cameras: Look near the rearview mirror or upper windshield area for forward-facing cameras.
  • Radar sensors: Sensors may be located behind or within the grille, bumper or vehicle emblem.
  • Blind spot indicators: Lights or symbols in the side-view mirrors can indicate the presence of blind spot monitoring.
  • Dashboard indicators: Warning lights, messages or driver-assistance settings can indicate which ADAS features are installed.

However, visual inspection alone may not identify every system. Technicians should verify the vehicle’s equipment and OEM service information before beginning repairs that could affect an ADAS component.

ADAS as a Revenue Opportunity

For service shops, ADAS isn’t only changing the repair process. It can also create an opportunity to bring additional services and revenue in-house.

Equipment from manufacturers such as Hunter and Autel can integrate diagnostics, wheel alignment and ADAS calibration into the service process. Shops that currently sublet calibration work may be able to perform more of these services themselves with the appropriate equipment, space and technician training.

Do You Have Enough Space for ADAS Calibration?

One common concern for shops considering ADAS equipment is whether they have enough room.

The answer may be more encouraging than you think.

According to Autel, 88% of all-system ADAS calibrations can be performed in a conventional 30’ × 16’ service bay with vehicle repositioning.[7]

Actual space requirements vary by vehicle, equipment and calibration procedure, so shops should always verify the requirements before performing a calibration.

Calculating Your ADAS ROI

The financial opportunity will look different for every shop.

Equipment cost, calibration volume, labor rates, current sublet costs and the types of vehicles you service can all affect how quickly an investment in ADAS equipment pays for itself.

Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all payback period, shops should calculate the potential return based on their own service volume.

Hunter offers an ADAS ROI calculator that can help estimate potential revenue and return based on your shop’s numbers.[8]

ADAS Equipment at Rubber Inc.

At Rubber Inc., we offer ADAS equipment from leading manufacturers, including Hunter and Autel, to help shops prepare for the growing number of ADAS-equipped vehicles on the road.

But adding ADAS capabilities isn’t simply about buying equipment. Shops also need to consider available space, technician training, vehicle coverage and the types of calibrations they expect to perform.

Our team can help you evaluate your options and determine which ADAS solution makes the most sense for your shop.

Is Your Shop Ready for ADAS?

ADAS isn’t a technology that’s waiting somewhere in the future. It’s already showing up in service bays every day, and its presence will continue to grow as newer vehicles make up a larger percentage of the vehicles on the road.

For tire and auto repair shops, that means understanding when calibration is required, having access to accurate OEM information and deciding whether bringing ADAS calibration in-house makes sense for your business.

If you’re interested in learning more about ADAS calibration equipment and how it could fit into your service shop, contact our experts at Rubber Inc.

Ready for a quote? Fill out our quote request form, and a local representative will reach out to you.

Sources

[1] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Critical Reasons for Crashes Investigated in the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey.

[2] AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Potential Reduction in Crashes, Injuries and Deaths from Large-Scale Deployment of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.

[3] Autel, Introduction to ADAS / ADAS Industry Forecast.

[4] AAA, Common Naming for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.

[5] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Finalizes Key Safety Rule to Reduce Crashes and Save Lives.

[6] I-CAR Repairability Technical Support, OEM Calibration Requirements Search.

[7] Autel, All-Systems ADAS Calibration / Shop Bay Requirements.

[8] Hunter Engineering, ADAS ROI Calculator.

Published on Monday, March 10, 2025.   by Rubber Inc.