If you are serious about enhancing your road safety, you should have a blind spot detection system installed in your vehicle. It will save you from costly traffic incidences such as hitting a pedestrian hiding in your blind spot. A blind spot sensor minimizes the chance of causing an accident because it prompts an emergency maneuver. Your car’s blind spot sensors need to be running safely at all times. After a collision, consult a technician who can competently do a blind spot calibration.
What are Blind Spot Sensors?
Blind spot detection systems are radar units installed on the rear bumper, front bumper, side of a vehicle, or quarter panel. Through ultrasonic sensors, they monitor the proximity of cars or objects that the driver may not see. The blind-spot detection system alerts the driver that it is not safe to dive in a particular direction. Some incidences necessitate recalibration of these sensors, e.g., when you replace the bumper cover or in case of damage to the mounting areas.
The Recalibration Process
A technician starts with a diagnostic pre-scan to identify the Diagnostic Trouble Codes that were disassembled so he can reset them. After the pre-scan, the technician reads out the DTCs that have been triggered. It is advisable to replace the entire sensors if they are broken. Repairing the blind spot sensor alone can pose a challenge because even the slightest defect will render the system inaccurate. Once replaced, the sensor is calibrated to ensure that the monitoring mechanism is working correctly. Blind spot calibration is also needed where the body panel around the sensor has been replaced or repaired.
Another critical step is a post-scan. It helps determine if all the parts are successfully installed and that the blind spot detector is intact. A test drive is a great way to ascertain if the diagnostic work has been a success. Calibration should be followed by a different procedure for aiming the sensor. In some scenarios, a target object is set to test whether the sensor is functioning well. Most OEMs cannot be repaired on the bumper covers where the blind spot sensor may be located. Understanding the design of your car is crucial to a safe and quality repair. Most car buyers choose vehicles specifically designed with ADAS features to keep them safe on the road. As such, technicians must be aware of the systems in place before repairing anything.
What Happens if You Don’t Recalibrate the Blind Spot Detection System?
So, your mechanic has done the necessary repair on the blind spot sensors. The next step is to ensure that they are aligned correctly and functioning as intended before you start driving. Failure to recalibrate means that the safety feature will not work correctly. It is like you don’t have it in the first place.