In Calibration, Close Enough Is Still Wrong

You’ve got your scan tool. You’ve got your target. You’re following the steps.

But then you estimate the distance. You nudge the target a few inches to the left. You “eyeball” the height.

Congratulations.

You just made that system dangerous.

ADAS Systems Don’t Guess. Neither Should You.

OEMs call for specific:

• Distances from bumper to target

• Heights off the floor

• Angles from centerline

• Centering to the vehicle’s Y-axis

If you’re off by even a few degrees or inches, the radar and camera are aiming at the wrong point. They’ll read data, sure—but it won’t be correct.

“It Passed the Procedure” Doesn’t Mean It Was Right

The scan tool doesn’t double-check your measurements.If the target is crooked, off-center, or the wrong height?The system calibrates to a lie.

And now that car is heading down the highway with sensors that point where you thought they should.

No Tape Measure? No Calibration.

If your mobile tech can’t:

• Measure with laser tools or rulers

• Mark the exact centerline

• Confirm the distance and height with documentation

• Validate the surface from all angles

Then they can’t calibrate the car. They can only simulate it.

Final Word: Precision Is the Whole Point

This isn’t bodywork. This isn’t paint. This isn’t “good enough for a DRP score.”

This is millimeter-sensitive safety equipment.

If the target’s wrong, the calibration is wrong. And if the calibration is wrong, the car is unsafe.

Don’t guess. Don’t assume. Measure. Then measure again.