Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are now standard on nearly all new cars and the fact that such systems have also been fitted to certain models for many years, means that it is becoming more and more common for independent garages and bodyshops to encounter them.

    ADAS can significantly increase driving safety, but only if the system is working effectively. This means it must be precisely calibrated using suitable equipment. The increasing commonality of ADAS means it is now more viable than ever for bodyshop, garages or windscreen replacement companies to invest in an ADAS calibration system.
    For Independents encountering many differing makes and models, equipment flexibility is vital and diagnostics experts TEXA believe they have the perfect solution. The TEXA Radar and Camera Calibration System (RCCS) is a multifunctional, multi-brand, unit for recalibration of radars and cameras used by ADAS. It is used in combination with the TEXA IDC5 diagnostic tool, to provide a complete multi-brand recalibration solution that is highly accurate and fully in line with vehicle manufacturer specification. This can open up some significant new opportunities for any workshop and make it stand out from competitors, who rely on outsourcing their ADAS calibration work, in addition to all the other functionality within the IDC5 software.
    TEXA is one of the first companies to offer a system that meets the needs of independent motor trade businesses cost effectively. Dave Gordon of TEXA comments, "This is an area of great potential for workshops. ADAS systems are now more and more common place and they frequently require re-calibration. For example, after crash repairs, windscreen replacement or any suspension work, the system will need recalibration.”
    Dave says that not only can TEXA supply the equipment to do the job, but it can also offer expert technical back-up in what is a new area for many technicians.
    Dave gives an example of a recent issue that a customer encountered when trying to re-calibrate the ADAS cameras on a 2015 Nissan Qashqai that had just had suspension work done. The technician could not complete the calibration process and called TEXA for help. The TEXA team eventually identified the problem which was not down to the system, or the calibration procedure, but was actually due to the fitting of an inferior windscreen. Dave says, "The car had been fitted with a non genuine windscreen. This had inferior optical qualities and did not meet the specifications of the original windscreen, making calibration impossible.”
    Dave says poor quality can be a major issue in ADAS calibration and urges garages and bodyshops to ensure that only genuine windscreens are fitted when a vehicle is equipped with ADAS.