Future-Proofing Your Shop: Alignment and ADAS
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are more common in auto shops than ever before. The global ADAS market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% between 2026 and 2033. Future-proofing your shop now means treating wheel alignment and ADAS calibration as connected jobs.
Why Wheel Alignment Can Trigger ADAS Calibration
An ADAS depends on accurate vehicle geometry, and alignment work can unintentionally alter that geometry, potentially requiring corrective calibration to keep the vehicle safe for its driver. Two major factors affecting the necessity of ADAS calibration include thrust angle and steering angle sensor (SAS) accuracy.
Thrust Angle and Sensor Aiming
A vehicle’s thrust line, the direction the rear wheels point, is the reference line an ADAS uses to confirm straight-ahead travel. The thrust angle is the angle between that line and the vehicle’s centerline. Cameras and radar are aimed relative to the direction the vehicle actually travels, which means an incorrect thrust angle can feed bad data to those sensors.
Steering Angle Sensor Accuracy
The SAS feeds data to a vehicle’s safety features, such as lane keep assist and stability control. An alignment can change where the wheels sit relative to the steering wheel, which can cause the SAS to report the wrong straight-ahead position and reduce ADAS effectiveness. That’s why many manufacturers call for an SAS reset with a scan tool after an alignment.
When Calibration Becomes Required After an Alignment
ADAS calibration becomes increasingly important after an alignment, as even a small change in wheel alignment can affect the accuracy of the vehicle’s sensors and cameras. Misaligned sensors degrade ADAS performance, increasing the risk of system errors and potentially affecting driver safety.
Some of the most common trigger scenarios include:
- Toe adjustments
- Suspension repairs
- Ride height changes
- Post-collision alignments
That said, OEM requirements regarding calibration can vary. Vehicle manufacturers often differ on when calibration is mandatory or recommended, so it’s critical to check OEM-specific procedures before skipping any calibration steps.
What This Means for Your Shop’s Equipment Decisions
Here’s the bottom line. Shops that treat alignment and calibration as a single connected workflow can avoid bottlenecks and missed revenue more effectively than shops that don’t. The key to future-proofing your auto shop equipment is choosing models with ADAS-compatible alignment capabilities and calibration integration.
Equip Your Shop With CEMB-USA’s ADAS-Ready Alignment Systems
CEMB-USA’s ADAS-ready alignment systems are designed to support your workflow. We offer the DWA1100ADAS, an ADAS alignment system that repositions existing CCD sensors onto the ADAS calibration bar, allowing technicians to position the ADAS panel to the vehicle’s thrust angle immediately after the alignment. Additional panel adjustments and OEM calibration procedures are still required.
Contact us today to inquire about our calibration and garage products.
