Mahle Aftermarket is responding to the growing acceptance within the garage sector of the vital role ADAS has to play.
With the right equipment and training, workshops can ensure proper system functionality and avoid costly mistakes when servicing ADAS systems.
With Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems becoming increasingly common on modern vehicles, the need for accurate calibration and alignment is more important than ever.
Many garages could be missing out on valuable revenue streams by not investing in the right equipment and training to handle these complex systems.
Alan Povey, technical manager at Mahle Aftermarket, explains why ADAS calibration and wheel alignment are crucial for both vehicle safety and business growth.
The bigger picture
ADAS is more than just wheel alignment; it’s about ensuring that all the vehicle’s systems – including radar, cameras and Lidar – are functioning correctly and in sync.
“ADAS is not just about wheel alignment but about setting the vehicle systems to ensure they are functioning properly, including the Lidar system,” explains Povey. Mahle offers ADAS calibration as part of its workshop solutions equipment, allowing garages to take control of this increasingly vital aspect of vehicle maintenance.
As modern cars become more reliant on driver-assistance technology, even seemingly minor repairs can disrupt these sensitive systems. “Any work on the suspension systems, poor wheel alignment or removal of sensors in the front of the vehicle – like when replacing a bumper or windscreen – will likely require ADAS recalibration,” says Povey.
This creates a growing demand for professional calibration services that many garages are not yet equipped to handle.
Missed profit opportunities
Garages without ADAS calibration capability are effectively handing business to competitors or dealerships. “Garages are currently sending vehicles, at a cost, to dealers or garages that have the systems, as the initial investment in ADAS equipment is large,” explains Povey. “But as more and more vehicles come equipped with warning systems, the requirement for setting them up becomes essential.”
Investing in ADAS equipment allows workshops to keep this work in-house, opening up a steady stream of revenue and increasing customer retention.
Educating customers
Many drivers view wheel alignment as a simple adjustment, but ADAS calibration is far more complex. “ADAS wheel alignment is only a small part of the function of the system,” says Povey. “Tracking and the alignment of the vehicle’s Lidar system is vital and, in some cases, a legal requirement.”
Customers need to understand that improper calibration can compromise the functionality of lane-keeping systems, automatic braking and other safety features.
By investing in the right equipment and expertise, garages can not only increase their profitability but also position themselves as trusted ADAS specialists.
With the market rapidly evolving, now is the time for workshops to capitalise on the growing need for ADAS calibration and wheel alignment services.
