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calibrated to allow the systems to function correctly.” “ADAS is very high-tech, to ignore it could be leaving a workshop open to potential compensation claims should the worst happen following an inadequate service.” Not everything has to be complicated though said Chris: “Many indicated faults stem from dirty sensors and these can be cleared with a simple clean up. Blind spot warning not working? Light on the dashboard? Check the obvious first of all – the sensor module. Blind spot warning is a low-power radar and the module is often covered with dirt or loose bodywork or may even have just become dislodged. These are new service item checks that may not even be in the usual service schedule.” To check the more advanced ADAS, Chris observed: “the first step is a full wheel alignment check, but do look beyond the obvious. Even with the basic ‘tracking’ correct there are many angles that can affect safety. It’s time to lose the lasers, a modern four- wheel aligner is the only tool that can cope with the checks needed. Even with the wheels straight and the steering wheel level, pay attention to cross camber, cross caster and steering axis inclination. Any discrepancies could indicate component damage which needs investigation before ADAS sensor calibration. “ABS and stability control rely on measuring steering angle, often with a sensor on the steering column itself. The steering angle is a core piece of information that almost every current and proposed ADAS fitment uses. If the ADAS computer receives incorrect or nonsensical data due to steering misalignment it can de-activate almost every safety system on the car. ADAS is a great opportunity to all businesses, but requires investment. Any workshop not aware of the implications for even routine servicing will soon be at a commercial disadvantage or worse – how can a workshop offer a clean bill of health when the crucial safety equipment has not been checked?” How are garages dealing with it on the ground? Aftermarket spoke to Carmaster, an independent garage based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The business is becoming a local hub for ADAS, supporting others garages and bodyshops in the area, while DECEMBER/JANUARY AFTERMARKET 43 www.aftermarketonline.net ranging system (LIDAR) in 1996. More than two decades ago, DENSO introduced a linear radar that scans an area in front of a vehicle horizontally to identify potential collision risks. Such technologies are becoming the norm in the aftermarket and presenting lucrative profit opportunities for workshops that have the skills, equipment, space and confidence to work on these systems.” What should garages be doing then? “These days,” said Absolute Alignment Technical Director Chris Dear, “workshops have to take a different look at vehicles even in the most routine of services. With the increased fitting of ADAS, the usual suspects, like oil, brakes and steering, are not enough. These service items miss some major implications for road safety, so whose responsibility is it to check the ADAS health of a car? “A minor bump, a windscreen change, or even a bumper removal can affect other repairs and impact road safety. The safety-critical ADAS sensors are embedded in the very fabric of a car and must be accurately Below: DAS 3000 from Bosch carving a new niche for themselves at the same time. Carmaster’s Rebecca Pullen explained: “We could see it is the future and we wanted to be a part of it. We want to be on top of ADAS before everyone else has it. We decided to take the bull by the horns and go for it early. “We bought the Hella Guttmann Solutions (HGS) ADAS system. We took a long time choosing that one, they were certainly not the cheapest. We have been very pleased with the support they have given us.” According to Rebecca, there may be more on the way: “We might buy another piece of equipment. We have spoken to the people at Thatcham and they said you probably won't get one piece of equipment that will work for everything.” A spending spree won’t help you win on ADAS however. The approach is as important as the tools: “I am getting branding together to set up a separate Facebook page and a website page to promote us as an ADAS calibration specialist centre. “I have also been to every single garage in the whole of Harrogate, I have visited then with cupcakes - you do get a bit of a warmer welcome if you go with something - I introduced myself, I brought the leaflets, I told them about our ADAS offering. We have subsequently had customers through the door with the lights on sent from our friendly colleagues. “Much of the work also comes from the bodyshops, especially the bigger bodyshops. There is an extraordinary lack of knowledge about ADAS.” Training is part of the approach said Rebecca: “I sent three of my guys onto an IMI course. That was then superseded so I sent four more doing the next course level above. More recently, we went down to do training on ADAS with James Dillon's and only came back yesterday. Anything that is about ADAS, we have been on it.” Moving into ADAS calibration has led to other changes in the workshop too: “I have chosen to have our floor certified flat, as that is a very important part of it. Obviously, we make sure every element and piece of equipment in is in place and ready in preparation for a vehicle's calibration. That means the air in the tyres is checked, and everything else. We have gone crazy for ADAS actually, because this technology is changing our industry.”