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The Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team compiles countless hours of research to bring the industry the OEM Calibration Requirements Search. This search tool enables you to find out what sensors and cameras 2016 and newer vehicles may be equipped with, and when these cameras/sensors require calibration. This easy-to-use feature is packed with information to help with the repair process prior to logging into the OEM service information. Let’s see how this tool works.
Many vehicles on the road have some form of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on it. Whether it be full ADAS suites that control the vehicle traveling down the highway, or a simple rear view camera. But let’s face it, there is no functionality without the heart of ADAS itself, the cameras/sensors. Cameras/sensors cannot perform the way they were designed to, like keeping passengers safe, if they are not calibrated properly.
Let’s start with the camera/sensor name and location, then work our way up to the most important part of the page, the calibration events.
On the OEM Calibration Requirements Search page, we provide the general location of the camera/sensor and what it is called, per OEM vehicle-specific service manuals. The location of the camera/sensor is shown by saying Camera in Front Bumper Cover, for example. Sometimes this is followed by a directional word in parentheses (middle, lower, sides, left, right).
Here are some camera/sensor general locations that we use and what they mean:
- In front/rear bumper cover: sensors or cameras that are mounted behind or in the bumper cover that go through the bumper cover. Camera/sensor may be seen from the outside (ultrasonic sensors, 360 cameras, etc.).
- Behind front/rear bumper cover: sensors that are mounted behind the bumper cover, in a vehicle emblem, or the radiator core support. The camera/sensor does not go through the bumper cover and cannot be seen from the outside (mostly radar sensors).
- In quarter panel behind rear bumper cover: sensors that are mounted on the lower quarter panel in the area of the rear bumper cover (mostly radar sensors).
You may notice that some cameras/sensors have different information in parentheses. Here are some examples and what they mean:
- Example: Camera in Deck Lid/Liftgate/Tailgate (Rear View Only) vs. Camera in Deck Lid/Liftgate/Tailgate (With 360 View)
- This system clarification is necessary, as the camera calibration events can be drastically different depending on what system uses the camera. If the vehicle you are working on only has rear view, use the (Rear View Only) calibration events.
- Example: Sensors in Additional Locations, Sensors in Additional Locations (1), Sensors in Additional Locations (2)
- Any one or more of these sensor locations may be seen on the page depending on the vehicle. These are sensors for adaptive lighting systems. The “(1)” and “(2)” are used if there are multiple adaptive lighting systems on one vehicle.
- If multiple sensors are used for adaptive lighting, the OEM Name space for the Sensors in Additional Locations says: (multiple inputs) with all sensors listed below in a note. If the adaptive lighting only uses one sensor, the OEM name for that sensor is provided in the OEM Name space.
Additional notes underneath camera/sensor information can specify anything from module programming being required after sensor replacement to a list of sensors that provide input for adaptive lighting systems (like above).
The chart to the right of the cameras/sensors states whether the camera/sensor sets a diagnostic trouble code (DTC), and if a scan tool or special tools are required for calibration. Special tools can be anything from cardboard and PVC pipes to OEM specialty tools, such as a metal radar reflector or a target mat. To the right, the "X" identifies what the service manual states. Here is what the "X" under the following categories means:
- Yes: means the service manual shows DTCs for the camera/sensor, and the camera/sensor calibration procedure specifies the use of a scan tool or special tools.
- No: means that the service manual actually states that there are no DTCs for the camera/sensor, and the camera/sensor calibration procedure actually states that no scan tool or special tools are required.
- Not Identified: means that the service manual doesn’t specify if there are or aren’t DTCs for the camera/sensor, and the camera/sensor calibration procedure does not specify if a scan tool or special tools are or aren’t required.
Calibration/initialization events are instances specified by the OEM which require calibration of a camera/sensor. In OEM repair information, other words are sometimes used instead of calibration, like initialization, relearn, alignment, adjustment, etc. This information is listed under the specific camera/sensor on the page.
Researching and finding calibration events takes time and is one of the most important aspects of the OEM Calibration Requirements Search page, hence the name.
These events are found all throughout different procedures in vehicle-specific service manuals and any available OEM ADAS documents that list out calibration events in one place. Some OEMs even have position statements for certain cameras/sensors in regards to when calibration is required.
It is important to note that if an ADAS document is available through the OEM, we use that document in addition to the service manual, and not in place of it.
Here are some examples of where calibration/initialization events are found in service manuals:
- Camera/sensor removal and installation procedures
- Camera/sensor calibration procedures
- Camera/sensor initialization procedures
- Front/rear bumper cover removal and installation procedures
- Windshield removal and installation procedures
- Side mirror removal and installation procedures
- ADAS descriptions and operations
Some calibration/initialization events for a specific camera/sensor are different on the same model of different years. This is because the service manuals change from year to year and may contain different camera/sensor information from one to the next.
There are also two common calibration/initialization events that may require some explanation:
- No calibration/initialization requirements: the vehicle-specific service manual does not specify if a camera/sensor requires calibration/initialization after any event.
- If DTC indicates: there is either a specific DTC that states calibration is required in the service manual, or the service manual DTC information/charts are too extensive, and because of that there may be a calibration DTC that exists, but we are unable to find.
For additional information pertaining to ADAS, refer to the top of the OEM Calibration Requirements Search page where there are helpful links to:
- How to Use the OEM Calibration Requirements Search: this article.
- Vehicle System Definitions: examples of general system information that relates to cameras/sensors.
- ADAS, Calibration, And Scanning Article Hotspot: Collision Repair News article with links to many different articles that you will find helpful.
- Additional RTS OEM Information: OEM Information page with OEM-specific I-CAR pages and links to the OEM.
To search for a vehicle on the website there are two options available:
- Option 1:
- Click blue OEM Calibration Requirements Search button (left side of webpage)
- Select Make, Model, Year from dropdowns
- Select vehicle from search results by clicking on blue text
- Option 2:
- Click blue Quick Search By Vehicle
- Select Make, Model, Year from dropdowns
- Click Search
- Select vehicle from search results by clicking on blue text
To search for a vehicle on the mobile app there are several options available:
- Select OEM Calibration Requirements Search from:
- Option 1: Menu (top right)
- Option 2: Press Navigate (bottom center)
- Enter vehicle:
- Option 1: Enter VIN
- Option 2: Select Make, Model, Year from dropdowns
- Press blue box
This matrix does not currently contain all production vehicles sold in the United States. Please refer back to this page frequently to ensure the most up-to-date information. The contents are based on the repair information available from the vehicle maker. Updates and additions will be posted as they become available. To ensure that the most recent information is used, always refer to the vehicle maker's technical information.
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
- ADAS, Calibration, And Scanning Article Hotspot
- Why Can’t I Find Certain Vehicles In The OEM Calibration Requirements Search?
