How Accident Affects Tech | Bill Penney Collision
Will a Minor Fender Bender Affect My Car's Safety Sensors & Automated Braking System?
Even at low speeds, a minor fender bender can do more than leave a small dent or scratch. Depending on where your vehicle was hit, the advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) sensors or radar sites could be damaged. This means that your vehicle’s automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, or adaptive cruise control features could be impacted. Fortunately, the team at Bill Penney Collision, Dent, and Glass has the skills and equipment to repair those issues for drivers around Decatur, Madison, and Huntsville, AL.
Continue reading to learn more about how a minor accident could affect your vehicle’s long-term performance.
What Safety Systems Could Be Affected?
For several years, automakers have added sensors and cameras to power features like Automatic Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control. These systems rely on technology like:
- Radar sensors placed behind the front grille or bumper
- Forward facing cameras mounted near the windshield
- Ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers
During a minor accident, light impact can damage those components. A small accident might seem like it is easy to repair, but all that technology can make the repairs more complicated. Common problems can include:
- Sensor misalignment, as a slightly shifted radar sensor cannot accurately judge distance
- Blocked or broken sensors with dirt, debris, or cracked covers can interfere with signals
- Calibration errors causing systems to lose communication abilities
These sensitive sensors send messages to the central computers and other tech systems, so it is vital that they are repaired so important safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking can respond correctly during critical moments.
How Will Your Vehicle Respond When Technology is Damaged?
If you have been in a minor collision, it is a good idea to pay close attention to your cars warning signs. They include red flags like:
- Illuminated dashboard warning lights related to safety systems
- Adaptive cruise control or other related tech not engaging
- Automatic braking activating unexpectedly or not at all
- Lane departure warnings behaving inconsistently
If you notice any of these warning signs, it is a good idea to bring your vehicle to a collision center or your favorite dealership service center for inspection and recalibration.
Why Should You Get Your Safety Tech Recalibrated After an Accident?
New cars, trucks, SUVS, and EVs rely on computer systems to function properly. All systems communicate in milliseconds with each other to keep you safe on the road. If any of those safety sensors have been damaged, your vehicle will need recalibration services. Without it, you put your safety and the safety of your passengers and other drivers at risk. Ignoring the need for recalibration can cause your safety features to fail. Without recalibration,
- The system may fail to detect obstacles, including pedestrians and cyclists
- It may misjudge distances and speeds
- It might fail you when you need it the most
Ignoring recalibration can cause other vital problems, including:
- False alerts or unexpected braking
- An increased risk of accidents with increased reaction times
- Damage that worsens over time as sensors drift out of alignment and electrical faults worsen
- A fully failed system that prevents your car from starting
If you fail to repair your vehicles safety system, you could put your vehicles insurance at risk, as those safety features are factored into your vehicles insurance rates. Your vehicle will also decrease in value, as drivers want cars with fully functioning tech and driver assistance features.
What Fender Bender Repairs Require Recalibration?
After your vehicle has cosmetic repairs, it is smart to have your ADAS systems evaluated and adjusted if necessary. Recalibration services align cameras and sensors so they can read distances from other vehicles and objects while properly communicating with onboard computer systems.
Without system recalibration, features like Forward Collision Warning or Rear Cross Traffic Alert may fail, increasing your risk of more accidents and injury while on the road.
Do Body Shops Fix These Issues Automatically?
Not always. While many modern body shops have the knowledge and equipment to recalibrate high tech ADAS systems, the feature is not always included in standard repairs. When scheduling repairs for a minor fender bender, it is a good idea to ask your service advisor a few questions, including:
- Will this body work affect my sensors or cameras
- Do you perform ADAS recalibration in house
- Can you provide documentation that the ADAS systems were tested and recalibrated
- Will my insurance cover the recalibration costs
What Can Happen in the Real World If ADAS Recalibration is Ignored?
Let us say that another vehicle hits your bumper in the parking lot. From the outside, the bumper looks fine, but on the inside, your vehicles radar sensor has shifted slightly. The shift now affects your vehicles Automatic Emergency Braking, so you are experiencing:
- Braking too early
- Braking too late
- Automatic brake failure
These invisible problems are why it is important to have your vehicles ADAS system evaluated even if your vehicle looks okay from the outside.
What Can You Do To Protect Your Vehicle After a Minor Accident?
If you have been in a minor collision, follow these steps to stay safe on the road:
- Get a professional inspection from a collision center like Bill Penney Collision, Glass, and Dent
- Request a full system scan to identify hidden issues
- Confirm that your ADAS system has been recalibrated
- Test drive your vehicle, paying close attention to the ADAS system and reactions
Will Your Insurance Cover Sensor Repairs?
For the correct answer to this question, it is best to ask your insurance agent. However, in most cases, recalibration is covered if the damage resulted from a covered accident. Keep in mind that sensor replacement and calibration can be costly, and not all insurance policies automatically cover advanced technology.
Will a Fender Bender Affect Your Cars Safety Tech?
Possibly, as small dings can have big consequences, thanks to potential damage to vital sensors. Your vehicles Automatic Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control use instant data from sensors. If that precision is compromised, the lightning fast readings can be inaccurate, putting you and your passengers at risk.
If you have any doubts about your vehicles safety tech, bring it to a collision center to have it evaluated by qualified professionals. With a quick appointment at Bill Penney Collision, Glass, and Dent, you can make a big difference in keeping you and your passengers safe on the road.
Schedule Your ADAS Inspection Today at Bill Penney Collision, Dent, and Glass in Huntsville, AL
You can have peace of mind that your safety tech is functioning properly with a quick inspection at Bill Penney Collision, Dent, and Glass in Huntsville, AL. Our technicians use state of the art technology to evaluate your vehicles safety features. If they find problems, they will discuss the issues with you, give you an estimate, and connect with your insurance company to find the solution that fits your budget.