Do new technologies affect car maintenance? - OHS Body Shop

Progress does not stand still, and modern vehicles are much more advanced than they were just a decade ago. At the same time, we already cannot imagine our lives without all those sophisticated sensors and detectors, navigation systems, rearview cameras, and other technologies that might have seemed fantastic or luxurious several decades ago but have become an integral part of driving today.

Just to think of it, your parents probably considered AC in a car a luxury back in the day.

But how do all those technologies affect car maintenance, its frequency, costs, and general necessity? Aren’t all those sensors placed there to ensure you that everything is fine and you don’t have to visit the car service that often from now on?

In this article, we shall discuss how new technologies change car maintenance and repairs to debunk some myths and help you get the most out of your vehicle.

What is ADAS, and how does it work?

All the modern technologies most cars have today can be united under the term Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). From the very name, you may understand that their main purpose is to make your driving experience easier, safer, and more comfortable.

Those are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, built-in GPS, rear cameras and collision sensors, cruise control, and more.

However, with all the convenience this system brings, it also makes car maintenance and after-collision repairs a bit more complex.

Moreover, there are lots of myths and misconceptions among drivers that often lead to improper maintenance of modern vehicles with ADAS and cause severe safety hazards.

For example, ADAS calibration raises a lot of questions. On the one hand, all the sensors and detectors that make the work of all those sophisticated navigation and safety systems possible are located all over the car’s body, mainly around the bumper area. It means that, theoretically, even a minor collision or damage, such as a trivial fender bender, can compromise their work.

On the other hand, manufacturers claim that not all ADAS sensors are supposed to be calibrated. In fact, the calibration requirements for seemingly the same systems may vary from one vehicle to another. For example, sonar parking sensors may sometimes require calibration, but not always.

In general, every manufacturer would tell you that to ensure that your ADAS works perfectly after a collision, you have to replace your bumper or other body parts with OEM parts. It will definitely come out more expensive.

Another common misconception is how exactly ADAS should be calibrated and how long the procedure may take. Some drivers believe that as soon as the parking sensors make the sound and the rear camera seems to work as before, there is no need for additional check-ups, and if a mechanic insists on calibration, it is some sort of money-pulling scheme.

In fact, proper ADAS calibration takes time and thorough knowledge. The procedure may last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours and require qualified personnel ad special equipment. In some cases, your vehicle may even need pre-scan and post-repair scanning to make sure that all the detectors are aligned precisely the way they were meant to be.

Also, some manufacturers claim that ADAS calibration for their vehicles requires an alignment rack. It means that mobile ADAS calibration services, which are becoming increasingly popular today, may turn out insufficient in some cases.

Do you want to ensure that your vehicle is safe and that all the systems work perfectly? Make sure to address a reliable body shop where qualified experts work according to the highest standards and latest safety requirements.
OHS Body Shop has branches all over Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley, in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson. It provides all sorts of body works, post-collision repairs, and services that guarantee that your car will get back on the road in its best condition.