What Is ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)?

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) refers to features that come special or standard with many new vehicles today. In this blog, we’re going to go over the most common ADAS features and how they keep you and your family safe. 

What is the Purpose of ADAS?

ADAS systems were invented to take human error out of driving. You may not be aware but nearly ninety-four percent of all road collisions are due to simple human mistakes. That’s a very high number, and since the implementation of the following technologies, this number is beginning to decline. 

Below we go over fourteen of the most common ADAS features found in today’s modern vehicle. 

Passive ADAS Systems

These ADAS systems have been dubbed as “passive” because they alert the driver of impending danger, but it requires the driver to take action. 

ABS (Anti-Lock Braking Systems): ABS stops your car from spinning or skidding when your vehicle’s emergency brake is activated. When your primary brakes are not working right, and you put on the emergency brake, ABS will activate. 

ESC (Electronic Stability Control): ESC stops drivers from over or understeering in hazardous weather conditions. 

TCS (Traction Control System): TCS uses both ABS and ESC to keep the right amount of traction under the tires when your vehicle is going around curves. 

Back-Up Camera: Back-up cameras allow you, the driver, to see what is behind your vehicle when you’re pulling out of a parking spot or your driveway. This one system eliminates a ton of possible issues, like animals, children, or cars that you can’t see with your own eyes. 

LDW (Land Detection Warning): Drivers can become distracted, or tired, and this can cause them to swerve out of their lane unexpectedly. LDW gives the driver a warning if this happens, and can save you from a possible collision with another vehicle. 

FCW (Forward Collision Warning): FCW warns the driver of a possible collision in the front end of the vehicle. For example, if a deer jumps into the road unexpectedly. 

Blind Spot Detection: All drivers have a blind spot. It’s part of being human. Blind spot detection puts eyes where you don’t have them and alerts the driver of objects that they wouldn’t normally see. 

Parking Assistance: Parallel parking is one of the biggest challenges drivers face, especially new drivers. Parking assistance uses modern technology like cameras and sensors to help the driver ease into even the most difficult parking spaces. 

Active ADAS Systems

These ADAS systems are considered “active” because they do not require any action from the driver to be implemented. 

Automatic Emergency Braking: If the driver is somehow incapacitated the automatic emergency braking system will kick into gear and stop the car before it collides with something in the vehicle’s path. 

Emergency Steering: This active ADAS system will activate if the driver is unable to steer the vehicle out of the way of an obstacle to avoid a collision. 

Lane Keeping Assist and Lane-Centering: Sometimes a driver swerves and is unable to steer back into their lane. If that happens, this system will steer the vehicle without any input from the driver so the vehicle stays in the correct lane. 

Adaptive Cruise Control: This system will keep your vehicle moving with the flow of traffic by matching the speed of the car in front of you. 

Traffic Jam Assist: This system works with Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist to make it easier for drivers who spend a great deal of time in stop-and-go traffic. 

Self Parking:  This feature parks your vehicle for you, so parallel parking doesn’t have to be a stressor anymore. 

Does My New Windshield Need ADAS Calibration?

Yes, if you want your ADAS to work correctly. All of the systems we’ve gone over in this blog use technology that is embedded in and around your windshield. So, if you have a windshield replacement, a calibration is needed to make sure those systems are working their best. If you skip the calibration, you are rendering those safety features useless, which will not only cause you to have an accident, it could void your manufacturer’s warranty. 

Does Your Vehicle Need ADAS Calibration in Orange & San Diego County?

If you live, work, or drive through the Orange, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, or Carlsbad areas of California, contact us at 911 Windshield Repair and Replacement. Our technicians have been replacing windshields with ADAS technology for more than twenty years. We’re family-owned and operated and our windshield replacements come with a lifetime warranty against air leaks or water leaks.