WHEELALIGNMENT.cost

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WAC-013

CATEGORY

ADAS RECALIBRATION

REV

2026.04.27

UNITS

USD / DEG / IN

ADAS Calibration After Alignment

Eleven of twenty-eight major manufacturers require advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to be recalibrated after a wheel alignment. The cost is $100 to $500 on top of the alignment itself. Below: which manufacturers, what the procedure actually is, and how to avoid being billed for it after the fact.

STATIC

advise

$150–$300

range in-shop, target frames

DYNAMIC

advise

$250–$500

range includes road drive

REQUIRED BY

advise

11 of 28OEMs

range growing each year

01WHY IT MATTERS

What ADAS does and how alignment affects it

Forward camera

Mounted at the windshield, aimed precisely along the vehicle's centreline. Powers lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and forward-collision warning. A camber or thrust-angle change shifts the camera's pointing direction relative to the road.

Front radar

Mounted in the grille, powers adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Aim sensitivity is sub-degree. Suspension changes that alter ride height or pitch can move the radar enough to miss a target vehicle.

02OEM REQUIREMENTS

Which manufacturers require recalibration

BrandStatusCalibration type
AudiREQUIREDStatic
BMWREQUIREDStatic or dynamic
Dodge / ChryslerREQUIREDDynamic
FordREQUIREDStatic (most models)
HondaREQUIREDStatic
Hyundai / KiaREQUIREDStatic
JeepREQUIREDDynamic
Mercedes-BenzREQUIREDStatic or dynamic
Subaru (EyeSight)REQUIREDStatic
VolkswagenREQUIREDStatic
VolvoREQUIREDStatic
Toyota / LexusCASE-BY-CASEStatic or dynamic
MazdaCASE-BY-CASEStatic
Nissan / InfinitiCASE-BY-CASEDynamic

Always check your owner's manual or ask the dealer service department. Specific model years within a brand may have different requirements as ADAS hardware was added in waves between 2015 and 2022.

03PROCEDURE

What the calibration actually involves

STATIC

In-shop calibration

Vehicle parked on a level surface. Target frames placed at factory-specified distances and angles. Diagnostic tool runs the calibration routine, the camera and radar capture target positions, and the system rewrites its alignment offsets.

Time: 30 to 60 minutes after alignment

DYNAMIC

Road-drive calibration

Diagnostic tool plugged in, vehicle driven on specific road types at specific speeds. The system learns from real-world targets (lane markings, other vehicles) and recalibrates while moving. Some vehicles also need a static stage first.

Time: 30 to 90 minutes road time + diagnostic

04AVOIDING SURPRISES

How to handle ADAS at booking

  1. Before booking, ask the shop whether ADAS calibration is required for your year, make, and model. They should know.
  2. If yes, ask whether they perform it in-house or refer out. Either answer is acceptable; you just want it priced up front.
  3. Ask for the alignment and the calibration to be quoted as separate line items. This prevents post-job surprise charges.
  4. Confirm the calibration is the type your vehicle requires (static, dynamic, or both). Wrong type means it will not be accepted by the ECU and you may need a redo.
  5. Get the calibration printout if the equipment provides one. Some tools print confirmation; others log it electronically. Either way, ask for proof.
05FAQ

Common questions

Q.01What is ADAS calibration?+
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) use forward cameras, radar, and lidar to power features like lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Wheel alignment can change the aim of those sensors. Calibration realigns them to factory spec so the systems work correctly.
Q.02How do I know if my vehicle needs it?+
Check your owner's manual for ADAS or driver assistance documentation, ask the dealership service department, or ask the alignment shop before booking. Eleven of twenty-eight major manufacturers explicitly require it; another handful recommend it case-by-case.
Q.03What is the difference between static and dynamic calibration?+
Static calibration is done in the shop with the vehicle stationary, using calibrated targets at precise distances. Dynamic calibration requires a road drive at a specific speed under specific conditions while the system learns. Some vehicles need both. Static is generally $150 to $300; dynamic adds road drive time and runs $250 to $500.
Q.04Can a chain shop do ADAS calibration?+
Some can. Major chain locations have invested in calibration equipment, but coverage is uneven. Always call ahead. Dealerships and specialist ADAS shops are the most reliable choice for vehicles with strict OEM-only calibration tooling.
← Cost guideCost by vehicle →Shop tiers →What to expect →

REV 2026-04-27