If you’ve purchased a vehicle in the last several years, there’s a good chance it has ADAS technology—even if you don’t realize it.
What Is ADAS?
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. These are electronic safety features designed to help drivers avoid collisions, improve awareness, and make driving safer and more convenient.
ADAS uses a combination of cameras, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and vehicle computers to monitor the road and assist the driver.
Common ADAS features include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Applies the brakes if a collision is imminent.
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW) – Alerts the driver when approaching another vehicle too quickly.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) – Warns when the vehicle drifts out of its lane.
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) – Helps steer the vehicle back into its lane.
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) – Detects vehicles in adjacent lanes.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) – Warns of traffic when backing out of a parking space.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) – Automatically adjusts speed to maintain a safe following distance.
- Parking Sensors and Cameras – Help detect obstacles while parking.
Why Is ADAS Important?
ADAS technologies have become a major advancement in vehicle safety. They help reduce the risk of accidents by:
- Improving driver awareness
- Providing collision warnings
- Assisting with steering and braking
- Reducing the severity of crashes
While ADAS can assist drivers, it does not replace attentive driving. Drivers must remain alert and in control of the vehicle at all times.
Does My Car Have ADAS?
The easiest way to determine whether your vehicle has ADAS is to look for these indicators:
Check Your Vehicle’s Sideview Mirrors when parked for icons, like this:
Then check these features in your owner’s manual for features such as;
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Parking Assistance Systems
Look for Cameras and Sensors
Many ADAS-equipped vehicles have:
- A camera mounted behind the windshield near the rearview mirror
- Radar sensors in the front grille or bumper
- Sensors in the rear bumper
- Cameras around the vehicle for 360-degree views
Check the Dashboard Menu
Many vehicles display ADAS settings through the infotainment system or instrument cluster, allowing drivers to enable, disable, or customize safety features.
Search Your Vehicle’s VIN
A dealership or repair facility can often identify ADAS features using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
What Happens If I’ve Been in a Crash and My Vehicle Is Repaired?
After a collision, windshield replacement, suspension repair, or certain mechanical repairs, ADAS sensors and cameras may need to be calibrated to ensure they operate correctly.
Even a slight change in the position of a camera or radar sensor can affect system accuracy. Proper calibration helps ensure your safety systems function as the manufacturer intended.
Final Thoughts
ADAS is becoming standard equipment on most modern vehicles and plays an important role in driver safety. If your vehicle has features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, or blind-spot monitoring, it likely has ADAS technology.
If you’re unsure whether your vehicle is equipped with ADAS—or whether it requires calibration after a repair—consult your owner’s manual, dealership, or Seidner’s Collision Centers – a qualified collision repair facility.