What do you do if a customer brings their vehicle to your shop with its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features disabled? Do you turn them back on, leave them off, or refuse to operate on it? Also what if any implications does this have on calibrating the vehicle? AGRRTM recently asked several industry professionals and their answers are mixed.
Some have decided to always return the vehicle with the features turned on regardless of how it was brought in without hesitation.
“We always turn on and calibrate the ADAS system on every vehicle we get that’s equipped with ADAS. We also, leave it on when returning it to the customer and they can decide whether or not to disable it,” said Josh Bradley, Clear Choice Auto Glass owner.
“We leave it enabled upon returning it to the customer even if they had it disabled coming in. If a customer states they do not want a recalibration we explain that it is our policy to return the car to its full pre-loss condition restored and that they are welcome to disable it following completion of the work,” said George Weller, City Auto Glass vice president.
Weller also noted that if a customer were to refuse recalibration services the company would refuse to take the job.
“It’s our responsibility and liability to calibrate these vehicle’s systems whether the customer uses them or not. Anything less is just opening yourself up to a lawsuit,” said Bradley.
Some however, proceed with caution on this concern and return the customer’s vehicle with the ADAS features disabled if it was brought into their business that way.
“I have noticed that a lot of lane departure/lane keep assist systems are turned off when I get in the vehicles. I always note what condition the system was in when I get in the vehicle and return it to that condition after my final test drive,” said one diagnostic technician in Taunton, Mass.
He further explained why he decides not to enable the features if they were turned off, citing driver comfortability as a main reason.
“My fear would be the owner not knowing that I enabled the system and having the vehicle react in a way the driver doesn’t expect. It’s a bit of a double edged sword but I feel leaving the vehicle as the owner left it is the best option for me,” said the diagnostic technician.
The current Automotive Glass Replacement Safety StandardTM (AGRSS) states:
If the vehicle has an ADAS, it may require recalibration after any automotive glass replacement. Those engaged in automotive glass replacement who elect to provide recalibration services may only complete the recalibration if they obtain and use proper equipment, by trained personnel and provide the outcome of the recalibration to the owner/operator. If these conditions cannot be met, or if the automotive glass installer does not provide recalibration services, the owner/operator shall be advised prior to and at the completion of the installation, that:
- The vehicle has an ADAS;
- After automotive glass replacement, the vehicle may require the recalibration of the ADAS;
- The replacement glass installer will not recalibrate the ADAS;
- There are locations where recalibration may be obtained; and
- The replacement glass installer is not responsible for the selection of any recalibration location.
