Oakes: Enlightening solution to ADAS case study

It's hard to believe that another month has passed — and there is so much to talk about.

First things first: In mid-May, Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) launched the initial L4 (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) exam.

Yes. It's 80 questions.

Yes. You will need the three hours to take the exam.

Like all ASE exams, the questions posed are to evaluate proficiency on the test subject. The L4 is no exception.

And like the other advanced exams, there is a corresponding workbook that goes along with the questioning; copying the L3 format, this book is strictly online within the parameters of the test.

Unlike other ASE exams, there is precious little official subject matter study guides. Therefore, those who have watched calibration/recalibration videos from qualified sources or have performed these resets have an advantage over those taking the test "cold." (Hint, hint.)

Are there any other similarities between L4 and present-day exams? Like turning wrenches in the bay, all ASE tests are based in common sense. A huge factor to success.

Speaking of "in-the-bay time," I had a couple of shops reach out to me regarding calibration/recalibration stalemates. And it can happen so easily.

We get into the moment of what is going on in the shop. "Busy" can easily overload our senses. So, when it's ADAS time — something relatively new to most shops — sometimes that can bite. Hard.

The first case study is no exception. This one shop was fresh when it came to its newly acquired ADAS equipment. Workers completed their checklist: level surface, updated software, double checked triangulation, power supply voltage supporting calibration/recalibration, air pressure, fuel level, etc. Double-checked.

Yet, the vehicle would not recognize the target. And, yes, it was the correct target. Something more was going on here.

So, if it is not a vehicle issue — or an equipment issue — what else is there?

Shops that jump on the ADAS bandwagon need to choose their dedicated bay wisely. In this case, it happened to be a timing-light issue: the time of day and the light entering the designated bay.

At that particular moment of calibration/recalibration, daylight was projecting onto the floor, reflecting light near the target. Had I not shown up the next day — approximately 24 hours later — this issue may have remained a mystery, and we may have missed the overhead skylight/lighting issue.

Before pulling any vehicle into a bay, look around at the shop lighting. While we may be accustomed to how the shadows wax and wane in our bays, it does not necessarily mean the new, static templates will appreciate the ambiance.

Speaking of "busy," this second case study has bit every one of us in the butt: Assumption.

This particular shop was rockin' — vehicles everywhere waiting for repair.

The ADAS bay was properly assigned with no objects, light interfering with the targets. The vehicle was prepped, as well (tires properly inflated, full fuel tank). And like the last shop, the ADAS would not recalibrate.

The technician reviewed his triangulation, target choice, etc. All correct. There should be no reason for this car not to recalibrate.

Again, upon further discovery, there was one step that was not performed, per the ADAS tablet: battery maintainer hook-up.

After talking with the technician, it was revealed that a battery maintainer was not hooked-up to the vehicle because the technician knew the recalibration would take only minutes.

What he did not count on was being pulled away from the car for a short period of time to help out a fellow technician. The older battery dropped voltage slightly below 12VDC and was not in range for the ADAS recalibration.

A quick recharge and added maintainer were all the vehicle needed to complete the process.

So, remember: Follow the ADAS tablet instructions verbatim. If it says to do five push-ups before pressing the "OK" button, then do it (as ridiculous as it may sound at the time).

There is a reason … a reason for everything; everything has a reason. And with ADAS calibrations/recalibrations, every line of direction has rationale.

Next month, we'll have more real-life cause-and-effect solutions to your ADAS questions.

If you have an ADAS story you would like to share with Tire Business readers, submit your photos and storyline to: Pam Oakes, [email protected].

Do not forget to mention who is in the photo, the name of the shop and author. We love to highlight and give credit where credit is due.