Ask an Expert: All about diagnostic scans and calibrations

by John and Theresa Kightlinger

Many of the features on newer cars are enabled by highly technical computer systems, which the industry refers to as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). You likely have a car with ADAS already — these include items like sensors in your bumper that alert you when you get too close to something, a lane departure warning or a light that comes on if your passenger-side air bag is enabled.

When you get into an accident, these systems can often be a part of the damage — even if you can’t see it. To understand if any of the important safety systems were affected, your repairer may run a “diagnostic scan” and/or “calibration.” These two actions act as a system check to ensure that all your car’s systems are working properly. They help return your vehicle to pre-accident condition.

What are diagnostic scans?

Think of a diagnostic scan, or just simply “scan,” as a health check for your car. A repair technician will take a scanning device (which looks like a voltmeter, or a large remote control) and plug it into your vehicle near the steering wheel. This diagnostic tool can then look at all the systems in your specific car. It lets the repairer know which systems have errors that need to be addressed.

Typically, your car will have two scans completed on it: one before the repair to let the shop know which systems have issues, and one after the repair to make sure that every problem has been fixed. An important note, lots of manufacturers now require at least one scan on a vehicle if it’s been in an accident.

What are calibrations?

Your car also may be “calibrated” when it’s in the shop. Think of this like a chiropractor’s visit for your car. They’re checking to make sure all the systems are working properly and “aligned” as they should be and adjusted if needed.

Even if you’ve been in a low-speed accident, systems like cameras can still get jostled around. For example, the shop may recalibrate your backup camera, which beeps if you get too close to an object. If your backup camera isn’t calibrated correctly, even by a millimeter, it can translate into you hitting something behind you since the car didn’t correctly notify you. To see if these systems are set correctly, your repair shop may perform one of two types of calibrations:

Static: A calibration is done by putting your car on a level surface and measuring specific aspects using tools like laser levels. The process is looking to see if your car’s elements meet the manufacturer’s targets, down to the millimeter or fractions of a degree.

Dynamic: If static calibrations involve a car in park, dynamic calibrations mean your vehicle is in motion when being tested. The shop will likely take your car out on a busy road to verify that systems are working as they should. Diagnostic scans and calibrations are part of the process to get you back on the road. If your car has been in an accident, or if something feels off, find a local auto body shop to help scan and calibrate your vehicle.

John and Theresa Kightlinger own My Body Shop at 401 N. Clinton St., Stockbridge.The couple have lived in the area and raised their children here over the past 20 years. John has been in the auto body business since 1985, and Theresa began work at General Motors after high school. Between the two, they have been working on cars for more than 75 years.