Your car's cameras and radars, calibrated so the safety systems work when it matters.
Windscreen replaced, suspension repaired or a bumper refitted? The driver-assistance sensors need recalibrating or they can misjudge the road. We calibrate front cameras, radars and blind-spot sensors at our East Tamaki workshop and supply a certificate.
What ADAS is
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are the cameras, radars and sensors that watch the road for you: automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition. They are standard on most cars built in the last few years, including the hybrids, European and Japanese models we work on every day.
Each sensor is aimed with precision. A camera behind the windscreen, a radar behind the badge and sensors in the rear bumper all have to agree on where the road is. When one of them is disturbed, the system can either switch itself off or, worse, keep working with a wrong view of the road.
Why calibration matters
Calibration is the process of adjusting and verifying those sensors so the car’s computer gets accurate information. It is required after anything that moves a sensor or changes the car’s geometry:
- Windscreen replacement, because the forward camera mounts to the glass
- Wheel alignment, suspension or steering repairs
- Bumper, grille or tailgate removal and refitting
- Collision repairs and structural straightening
- Ride-height changes, including worn springs, and some wheel or tyre size changes
A system that has not been calibrated can brake late, drift in its lane or miss a car in the blind spot. It needs to be done by people with the targets, the scan tools and the training to do it properly, and that is what we have invested in at East Tamaki.
How we calibrate
- Full diagnostic scan. Every control module is read first so we know what faults exist before we begin and can separate them from anything calibration-related.
- Alignment check. A four-wheel alignment is checked, and corrected if required. The same equipment also shows up chassis misalignment that would make calibration impossible.
- Calibration. With the car level and aligned, each camera, radar and lidar sensor is calibrated against the manufacturer’s targets and procedure. Many vehicles have several.
- Road test. The car is driven to confirm the dynamic systems operate and nothing is reporting a problem.
- Final scan. On return we scan again to confirm no fault codes were set during the road test.
- Report and certificate. You receive a full written report and a certificate of calibration for your records, your insurer or your repair certifier.
Who we do this for
Private owners after a windscreen or suspension job, panel shops and repair certifiers who need a declaration, and fleet operators who want every vehicle’s safety systems verified. We are equipped for the common Japanese and European platforms and will tell you up front if your model needs a dealer-only procedure.
Booking
Book online and choose ADAS calibration, or call 022 3900 587 with the make, model and the work that has been done. Allow at least two hours for the visit.
Common questions
When does ADAS need calibrating?
Any time a sensor or camera has been disturbed. The common triggers are a windscreen replacement, wheel alignment or suspension work, a bumper or grille removal, a collision repair, a ride-height change and some tyre size changes. If a dash warning for lane assist or cruise control has appeared after any of those, calibration is the likely fix.
Can the car calibrate itself by driving?
Some systems do a dynamic self-check on the road, but most makes also require a static calibration against targets at exact distances, on a level bay, with the wheel alignment confirmed first. Skipping the static step can leave a camera a few degrees out, which is enough to misjudge a lane or a stopping distance.
How long does it take?
Allow at least two hours. A pre-scan, an alignment check, the calibration itself, a road test and a final scan all have to happen in order. Vehicles with several sensors take longer.
Do you provide paperwork?
Yes. Every vehicle leaves with a written report and a certificate of calibration. We also provide the ADAS declaration that repair certifiers ask for after structural repairs.
Is there anything I need to do before I bring the car in?
Arrive with a reasonably full fuel tank, correct tyre pressures and no heavy load in the boot, because ride height affects camera angles. Tell us about any recent windscreen, suspension or body work so we calibrate the right systems.
Enquire or book: ADAS calibration
Tell us about the car and what it needs. We reply within the hour during workshop hours and confirm every booking by text or email.
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We will confirm your booking by text or email, usually within the hour during workshop hours.