How Lift Kits or Wheel Size Modifications Affect ADAS Systems

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are designed to enhance vehicle safety and driving comfort by providing automated support to drivers. These systems rely on sensors, cameras, and radar units to monitor road conditions, detect obstacles, and assist with functions like steering, braking, and lane positioning. However, modifications such as installing a lift kit or changing wheel size can disrupt the precise calibration of these components, leading to potential malfunctions and safety risks. Elite ADAS in Rocklin, California, specializes in ADAS calibration services for vehicles with lift kits and wheel size modifications.

Even minor adjustments to a vehicle’s height or wheel diameter can alter sensor alignment, causing ADAS features like Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Automatic Emergency Braking to function improperly. This misalignment can result in delayed responses or false readings, increasing the risk of accidents. ADAS components must be recalibrated after any modification to maintain maximum performance. Professional calibration using OEM-certified equipment confirms proper sensor and camera alignment, restoring system accuracy.

The following sections discuss how lift kits and wheel size changes impact ADAS functionality, why recalibration is important, and how expert calibration enhances driving safety.

How Lift Kits Affect ADAS Calibration

A lift kit raises a vehicle’s ride height, increasing ground clearance and allowing for larger tires. While beneficial for offroading and aesthetics, it disrupts the factory-set calibration of ADAS sensors. Here’s how:

1. Sensor and Camera Misalignment

Lift kits change the angle at which sensors and cameras perceive the road. Forward-facing cameras used for lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control may no longer have an accurate field of view. This misalignment can cause:

Incorrect lane positioning assistance: The vehicle may struggle to stay centered within lanes due to distorted camera angles.
Delayed or false braking responses: Adaptive cruise control and emergency braking systems might miscalculate stopping distances, increasing the risk of collisions.
Reduced effectiveness of pedestrian and vehicle detection: The vehicle’s ability to recognize and react to obstacles, including pedestrians and cyclists, may be compromised, especially in busy urban environments.
Traffic sign recognition issues: A misaligned camera may fail to detect speed limits, stop signs, and other vital road signs, leading to incorrect driver assistance warnings.
Compromised nighttime performance: ADAS cameras may struggle to function properly in low-light conditions, reducing the vehicle’s ability to detect road markings and obstacles at night.

2. Radar and LiDAR Disruptions

Many ADAS features rely on radar and LiDAR to detect objects at a set height and angle. When a lift kit is installed, these sensors may:

Fail to detect lower-profile vehicles: Raised sensors might overlook compact cars, motorcycles, or road hazards that are positioned lower than the new sensor angle.
Misjudge distances and speed differentials: Adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems may struggle to determine how far away an object is, increasing the risk of improper braking or acceleration.
Trigger unnecessary collision warnings: Misaligned radar and LiDAR systems may generate false positives, causing the vehicle to engage in emergency braking when no real hazard is present.
Impair blind-spot monitoring: Raising the height of the vehicle changes the location of blind-spot sensors, making them less effective at detecting nearby vehicles in adjacent lanes.
Affect cross-traffic alert systems: Rear radar systems used to detect vehicles approaching from the side when reversing may not function correctly due to the changed height and angle.

3. Inaccurate Speedometer and Traction Control Issues

A lifted vehicle with larger wheels alters the rolling circumference, affecting speedometer readings.

This can impact:

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) accuracy: Since ACC relies on speedometer data to maintain a set speed, incorrect readings can cause inconsistencies in vehicle speed control.
Stability control systems: Electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control depend on wheel speed sensors. When larger tires alter rotational speed, these systems may struggle to maintain vehicle stability during turns, sudden stops, or slippery conditions.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) functionality: ABS calculates braking force based on wheel rotation. If the system misreads the actual speed of the wheels, braking distances can be compromised.
Incorrect fuel efficiency calculations: Since speedometer readings influence fuel economy estimates, larger tires may cause incorrect calculations, giving drivers misleading information about fuel consumption.

Due to these disruptions, recalibrating ADAS after modifications is necessary to restore proper functionality and maintain safety.

How Wheel Size Modifications Affect ADAS Systems

Changing wheel size, whether increasing or decreasing diameter, can also affect ADAS functionality by altering the way sensors and control systems interpret vehicle movement and road conditions. Elite ADAS specializes in recalibrating modified vehicles to verify that safety features remain precise and fully functional. Here’s a breakdown of the key effects:

1. Changes in Ride Height and Suspension Geometry

Even a slight change in wheel and tire size alters the vehicle’s height and suspension geometry.

Since ADAS sensors are calibrated for factory settings, modifications can lead to:

Struggles with depth perception: The system may struggle to measure distances, leading to incorrect readings accurately.
Erroneous warnings or failure to engage critical assistance features: Features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control may not function as intended.
The necessity for recalibration: To make sure that the system properly detects obstacles, lane markings, and surrounding vehicles.

2. Impact on Steering and Lane-Keeping Assistance

Lane departure warning and lane-keeping assistance rely on precise steering angle sensor data to keep the vehicle safely positioned on the road.

When wheel sizes are modified, it can:

Alter steering response: Altering the steering response can make the vehicle feel different when driving, requiring sensor recalibration for accurate performance.
Reduce the vehicle’s ability to stay centered in its lane: Reducing the vehicle’s ability to stay centered in its lane increases the risk of unintentional lane drifting.
Affect turn radius calculations: Changes to turn radius calculations can result in misinterpretations of automated steering corrections.

3. Speedometer and Braking System Calibration Issues

Modifying a vehicle’s suspension or wheel size can disrupt speedometer accuracy and braking system performance, requiring proper calibration to maintain safety and reliability.

Here are some common issues that can occur:

Incorrect Speedometer Readings

This makes the vehicle appear to be traveling faster or slower than its actual speed, affecting overall driving accuracy.

Changes in wheel diameter can alter speedometer accuracy, requiring vehicle calibration service to correct discrepancies.
ADAS features like Adaptive Cruise Control may not function properly if speed readings are incorrect.
Mismatched speed data can cause issues with automated braking and acceleration systems.
Professional ADAS calibration services help restore speedometer accuracy after modifications.
Inconsistent speed readings may lead to potential legal issues, such as speeding violations.

Impaired Traffic Sign Recognition

The system may misinterpret posted speed limits relative to the vehicle’s perceived speed.

ADAS cameras rely on precise calibration to detect and interpret road signs correctly.
If speedometer readings are off, the system may display incorrect speed limits.
A misaligned camera can fail to recognize stop signs, yield signs, and warning signals.
Proper vehicle calibration service verifies that traffic sign recognition works as expected.
Using professional ADAS calibration services helps restore the system’s ability to interpret road signs accurately.

Delays in Automatic Emergency Braking Response

This system relies on speed and distance calculations to determine when to engage.

Incorrect sensor alignment can cause delayed braking activation, increasing accident risks.
A miscalibrated ADAS system may not detect obstacles or pedestrians in time.
Changes in vehicle height due to suspension modifications can alter braking system response.
Vehicle calibration service is necessary for maintaining accurate emergency braking functionality.
Professional ADAS calibration services help restore braking response precision after modifications.

These factors emphasize the importance of recalibrating ADAS after wheel size modifications to maintain the accuracy of all safety features. Elite ADAS delivers superior performance by performing both static and dynamic calibrations, precisely aligning sensors to match the new wheel configuration.

Why ADAS Calibration is Necessary After Modifications

Whenever a lift kit or wheel size change is installed, ADAS recalibration is necessary to maintain safety and functionality. These modifications alter the angles and positions of critical sensors, leading to potential misreadings that compromise vehicle safety systems. Without proper recalibration, drivers may experience:

Incorrect sensor readings causing safety risks: Misaligned sensors can fail to detect vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles accurately, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
False alerts or lack of response from critical systems: Features like lane departure warnings, forward collision alerts, and automatic emergency braking may trigger unnecessary warnings or fail to engage when needed.
Compromised performance of features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control: These systems depend on precise sensor input, which can be disrupted by modifications, reducing their effectiveness and reliability.

Finding the Right Recalibration Services

If you’ve made modifications and noticed irregularities in your vehicle’s safety features, searching for ADAS calibration nearby can help you locate local vehicle calibration services that specialize in restoring your ADAS systems to factory specifications. These professionals use ADAS calibration using OEM-certified equipment to verify the precise realignment of sensors and cameras, preserving the accuracy and responsiveness of your vehicle’s advanced safety features.

When searching for ADAS calibration services, it’s important to choose a provider that meets industry standards and has the expertise to handle your specific vehicle requirements.

Here are key factors to consider:

Expertise in Working with Modified Vehicles: If your vehicle has been altered with lift kits, larger wheels, or other modifications, it can affect the alignment and accuracy of ADAS sensors. Look for a service provider with experience in recalibrating systems for modified vehicles to confirm safety features like Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) function correctly despite the changes.
Use of OEM-Certified Equipment: Calibration should be performed using manufacturer-approved tools and software to verify precision and compliance with factory specifications. This helps maintain the accuracy of critical systems, such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), preventing potential malfunctions due to improper sensor alignment.
Availability of Both Static and Dynamic Calibration: Some ADAS systems require both static and dynamic calibration for full functionality. Static calibration is done in a controlled environment with specialized targets, while dynamic calibration involves real-world driving to fine-tune sensor readings. A qualified service provider should be equipped to perform both methods as required by the manufacturer.

Choosing a trusted calibration provider like Elite ADAS makes sure that your ADAS features work reliably, enhancing both safety and driving confidence.

ADAS Calibration Using OEM Certified Equipment

The most reliable way to verify proper recalibration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is by using OEM-certified equipment, which guarantees accuracy and compliance with manufacturer standards. This process includes two key methods:

Static Calibration: This method is performed in a controlled workshop setting using manufacturer-approved tools and specialized targets. It precisely aligns cameras and sensors without requiring vehicle movement. As a result, systems like Lane Departure Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking function correctly.
Dynamic Calibration: This process involves driving the vehicle under specific conditions while connected to diagnostic tools. The system continuously adjusts and fine-tunes ADAS functions in real-world driving scenarios, verifying proper sensor alignment and response.

Certified technicians perform these recalibrations to make sure that all ADAS features operate as intended, maintaining peak safety, performance, and compliance with manufacturer specifications. Proper calibration is necessary to prevent inaccurate sensor readings that could compromise driver assistance features.

Enhance Safety and Performance with Elite ADAS

Lift kits and wheel size modifications can enhance a vehicle’s performance and aesthetics, but they also affect ADAS functionality. To maintain safety, recalibrating ADAS after modifications is necessary. Whether you’ve installed a suspension lift, larger tires, or replaced a windshield, seeking professional vehicle calibration services makes sure that your ADAS works as intended.

For precise and reliable calibration, search for ADAS calibration nearby and choose a provider that uses ADAS calibration using OEM-certified equipment. This makes certain that your vehicle remains safe, compliant, and optimized for modern driving conditions. To schedule an appointment or learn more about other calibration services, contact Elite ADAS in Rocklin, California, today at (916) 471-4606 or email [email protected].