Modern cars can be extremely sophisticated, and their electronic systems are the true states of the art.
The electronic system is responsible for the essentials and safety features such as airbags, blind spot detection alerts, climate control in the salon, etc.
These systems don’t only keep you comfortable during the ride but also help to make your driving safer, prevent you from making mistakes, and help you avoid collisions.
Unfortunately, such sophisticated systems often turn out pretty vulnerable to damage, and what seems like a trivial fender bender may seriously impair your car’s safety. That is why the electronic systems should be diagnosed thoroughly and recalibrated in the course of collision repairs.
In this article, we shall talk about why and how electronic systems are recalibrated and how to ensure your vehicle is safe to return on the road after an accident.
What does recalibration mean, and how do they do it?
To recalibrate an electronic system means to entirely reset all the sensors and detectors, cameras, and other systems in the car to make sure that the accident has not impaired their work and that they will be functioning properly with the new parts in the car. It means that even if the airbags were not deployed after the accident, a mechanic would reset and test this system thoroughly to make sure that it does not have any hidden damage and will work perfectly next time if needed.
Here is how they recalibrate the electronic system in your car:
- Using the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, a mechanic scans the car’s specific codes for errors and malfunctions;
- Then they clear those diagnostics codes out;
- In the end, they reset the sensors according to the manufacturer’s regulations to make sure that everything works perfectly, like if the car has just ruled off the assembly line.
In fact, it is a very complicated process that needs pretty sophisticated equipment and trained specialists. There are special companies that specialize in this type of diagnostics and service, using ALLDATA, I-CAR, or OEM. If your car service does not have the necessary certifications, they will address one of those companies for their service to make sure that your car is fully safe to get back on the road.
When do they need to do the electronic system recalibration?
The electronic system of your car may need recalibration in various cases, and collision repair is far not the most common one.
Here are several pretty routine repairs that will require recalibration:
- All sorts of paint jobs on plastic bumpers and body panels;
- Electrical rewiring and/or disconnection of the battery;
- Repairs and replacements of the grill assembly;
- Bumper repairs and replacements;
- Replacement of the windshield.
Any of those manipulations may affect the proper work of numerous sensors and detectors located all over your vehicle. That is why a thorough recalibration is imperative after any of those manipulations.
Whether you take your car to service due to a recent accident, because you want to fix a scratch on a bumper, or it is simply time to do the routine annual check-up, it is essential to address a trustworthy place where your car will be treated according to all the safety rules and manufacturer’s regulations.
Contact OHS Body Shop next time you will be looking for a mechanic in Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley; Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson. Here you will find a team of qualified professionals and the most advanced equipment and services to make sure that your car will be safe and comfortable to drive.
