Experts Say It’s So Much More Than a Tool Purchase
When six experts in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), specifically in windshield calibration, gathered online in January, the consensus was clear. Whether you have yet to offer these services, or have been performing them for years, there is a lot to consider and continually learn.
“Just because you went to a training class a year ago, or five years ago, when you got your calibration equipment does not mean that those same truths still hold true,” says George Lesniak, director of ADAS sales and training for Autel. “You should still continually update your ADAS training because these are critical safety systems.”
“You’re not going to be an expert after anyone’s calibration class whether it’s one hour, eight hours or 16 hours, but you have to always troubleshoot,” adds Emily Jackson, marketing director for Mygrant Glass and leader of the company’s ADAS team.
This continual need for education is why Tara Taffera, AGRR’s editorial director, moderated a session with Lesniak, Jackson, and four other panelists who will also speak at Auto Glass Week™ to be held June 7-9 in Orlando. The online session, held during Auto Glass Week Preview Day, was only 30 minutes in length, but an abundance of valuable info was shared. Imagine what you will learn when you hear them speak during the four-hour ADAS Summit on June 8 (for more info, go to autoglassweek.com).
Chuck Olsen
Senior vice president of automotive technology solutions for AirPro
Diagnostics
“For glass replacement there’s some uniqueness to the replacement of the glass and where the responsibilities lie for the glass installer when it comes to the calibration. So, we’re going to take a peek into some of the things that are coming around the pike with some of the new ADAS technologies.”
Emily Jackson
Marketing director for Mygrant Glass and leader of Mygrant’s ADAS team
“I think first and foremost the biggest thing [for installers to know] is how to use the diagnostic tools … and that there are more features other than just the forward facing camera that come into calibration. We’re now seeing vehicles like Nissan that require not only a forward facing calibration after a windshield replacement but now they need forward facing radar calibration. So we really want to give the folks who are calibrating a good foundation and then also the support they need in troubleshooting.”
George Lesniak
Director of ADAS sales and training for Autel
“We really try to drive home what we call the calibration best practices. So many people are of the misbelief that just because a calibration passed that means it’s good and that’s not the case … One of the things I hear very often is ‘I don’t need to do that, I’ve never done it in the past and I’ve never had a problem.’ Well just because you’ve never had a problem doesn’t mean it was right. We try to drive home how to do it right and contrary to
popular belief, that doesn’t mean that you have to use an OEM setup in order to do it.”
Jacques Navant
Technical director Don’s Mobile Glass/Calibration Station and chair
of the Auto Glass Safety Council ADAS Committee
“Over the last few years we’ve been developing a checklist for AGSC members to follow during the calibration process, so our main goal was to make sure that nobody gets left behind. All of this is fairly new to a lot of folks so we want to make sure that everybody is on the same page and following the same process.”
“Investing in emerging technology in the calibration environment is huge, so I would just look forward to interacting with everybody and seeing what questions are out there.”
Bob Beranek
President, Auto Glass Consultants and Chair of the AGSC AGRSS Standards
Committee
“One thing we want to do in our next meeting [during Auto Glass Week in June] is to incorporate the checklist that was developed by the AGSC. We’re going to try to look at this checklist and make a reference in our standard … I am very excited to discuss ADAS in the standards committee and debate all of this stuff and come out with a standard we can all live with and follow.”
Barry Lintner
Owner at Lloyds Glass and Correct Calibration Services
“The need to properly train CSRs is important. A lot of customers have no clue what calibration is or what it’s for and they certainly don’t expect it to come into play related to a windshield installation. Setting the customer expectation properly is really key.”
‘There are a lot of details involved and this is not something that you learn and do, this is something you learn and then you learn something different and then you make an adaptation and you make the adjustment and you share that information. Then you continue to evolve as technology evolves.
Where Do I Start?
One of the questions an attendee asked during Auto Glass Preview Day was: “If you were just contemplating performing your own calibrations, what do you think is the first step?”
Following is what our experts had to say:
Bob Beranek: “First, research the tools and look at the type of investment you’re going to have to make, what kind of infrastructure you already have in place or what you may need to be able to do an accurate calibration. So I know I gave you three things, but the first thing has to be whether you have the wherewithal, the funds and the infrastructure to get into it.”
Emily Jackson: “Look at that top 100 of your installs, see what you’re doing and maybe see if you can get into a dynamic unit first.”
Jacques Navant: “Start with a lot of patience … research is everything. Find the equipment that is right for you and the vehicles that you’re tasked with working on and invest wisely. Not only invest in tools, but in the environments as well if you’re going to move to static calibrations.”
George Lesniak: “Environment is at the top of the list. Do you have the space in your shop to be able to perform these types of calibrations … and then do you have a technician who can actually perform accurate calibrations. Then after that, research the equipment that is right for you in your shop and your business.”
Chuck Olsen: “Identify what needs to be done, making sure that you are ADAS ready before you get into the ADAS capable stage. You’re identifying everything that you’re working on and the procedures that need to be done, then you’re much more prepared when you get into the purchasing of equipment.”
Barry Lintner: “It starts with the staffing, the knowledge, the education, assigning a tech that really enjoys doing it, and CSRs that are knowledgeable and communicate. It’s all about the people.”
To view the laid-in version of this article in our digital edition, CLICK HERE.
