When “Common Sense” Isn’t Good Enough: A Calibration Shop’s Perspective

Let’s talk about “common sense.”

If I had a dollar for every time an insurance adjuster said, “Use some common sense—this doesn’t need calibration,” I’d have enough to recalibrate your radar system ten times over. And I’d do it by the book—because that’s the difference between our shop and the chaos that often follows when common sense replaces OEM guidance.

I’m not here to bash adjusters. Most are just doing what their systems tell them. But I am here to defend a truth that’s becoming increasingly inconvenient: when it comes to ADAS calibrations, common sense doesn’t cut it. Not even close.

What the OEM Says vs. What “Feels Right”

Here’s the thing—OEM procedures exist for a reason. Vehicle safety systems aren’t a guessing game. We're talking about advanced driver assistance systems that use sensors, radars, and cameras to keep people alive. These aren’t “optional features,” and recalibrating them isn’t some techy fluff. It’s a required step to return the vehicle to safe operating condition.

If a radar was removed, a camera was disturbed, or a bumper was replaced—even if it was just loosened—the OEM likely requires a recalibration. Not “if it seems off.” Not “if a light is on.” Not “if the car complains.” It needs to be done. Period.

You don’t get to skip an airbag check just because the dash light isn’t on, right?

The Insurance Interpretation Circus

Here’s where it gets wild.

We review an estimate. It clearly shows structural work near the radar. We flag it for calibration. The insurer replies:“That seems excessive. Use common sense.”

Translation?“We’d prefer not to pay for that unless we can see the failure.”

Well, unfortunately, ADAS doesn’t always show you it’s out of spec. The car won’t send smoke signals. But if you skip that calibration, and it misreads a lane line or fails to brake in time—who do you think gets blamed?

Spoiler: not the insurance company.

The Legal and Ethical Fallout

We’re not in this business to cut corners. We’re in it because we care about doing things right—even when that means pushing back against pressure to “just send it.” Because when we calibrate a vehicle, our name goes on the line. Our scan reports and documentation follow that car long after it leaves the shop.

So no, we won’t bend to “common sense” when it contradicts manufacturer documentation.

You want to use “common sense”? Cool. We’ll stick with science, procedure, and legal liability protection.

Final Thoughts: The Future Is Precision

As calibration shops, we don’t get the luxury of “gut feelings.” We have to verify, test, scan, document, and recalibrate per manufacturer standards. Because if one calibration is skipped and something goes wrong, we all lose. The shop, the customer—and sometimes, someone’s life.

So next time someone tells you to use common sense to justify skipping an OEM-required calibration, ask them this:

"Is common sense still going to hold up in court?"

Because we already know the answer.