The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP-NJ) announced that it recently held a special panel discussion on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in an effort to educate repairers on the new technology in vehicles today.
Moderated by AASP/NJ President Jerry McNee, the USI North America-sponsored panel featured Mark Olson (VECO Experts), George Lesniak and Michael Flink (Autel), Paul Stern (LIFTNOW) and Chuck Leonard (Autopart International, Inc.).
First and foremost, the panelists stressed that ADAS calibration is not something that can be ignored.
“As a repairer, you are supposed to know that you have to do the calibration,” said Olson, referenced the multimillion-dollar lawsuit against John Eagle Collision Center in Texas to emphasize the importance of these new procedures. “You have to do the research. When you touch a car, you are responsible for everything, whether you know it or not. You can’t say, ‘I didn’t know,’ because ignorance is not self-defense.”
Lesniak gave multiple examples of the steps needed to accurately reset cameras and sensors, which OEMs put in place for a reason. If the proper steps – which can involve such specific requirements as level surfaces, a full fuel tank and accurate tire pressure – aren’t taken, these sensors may not be set back to their accurate zero-point calibration.
“If we touch it, move it and take something off and put it back, it needs to be calibrated,” said Lesniak. “I know people say, ‘Well, I never had a problem before.’ Well, how do you know? And what if?”
Added Flink, “Take the time to do it, and do it correctly.”
Olson urged attendees to keep track of all the steps involved in a repair and create what he calls a “bulletproof file.” “If you don’t document yourself – even if you are not wrong – you are going to lose.”
Even performing wheel alignments requires calibration due to ADAS technology.
“[These systems] rely on knowing exactly where ‘straight ahead’ is,” said Stern. “When you are going 80 miles an hour, it will make a big difference.”
Another challenge body shops have had to contend with is the pushback from insurance companies that don’t want to pay for pre- and post-repair scanning. The panelists advised shops to educate these carriers on what is necessary, using facts and figures to support their position.
“If you don’t ask for it, you won’t get anything,” said Flink. “You have to know what to ask for.”
Added McNee, “If you charge correctly for it, you should be able to get paid for it.”
Leonard raised the idea of ADAS as a possible revenue source for shops that commit to implementing the proper equipment and training.
“It is a big investment to get into ADAS, but don’t lose sight of what your return on investment is and in covering yourself,” he said.
For more information on AASP/NJ and to learn about upcoming events, visit aaspnj.org.
