If your shop performs brake repairs, you’re more equipped for ADAS brake service than you might think. Advanced driver-assistance systems, whether radar-, camera-, or lidar-based, and all are built on brake, suspension, and steering systems. Even the most sophisticated safety features rely on a brake pad and rotor to carry out corrections during emergencies or normal driving.
In this video, we explore how ADAS brake service and pad maintenance relate. Every correction an ADAS or ABS system makes depends on friction. Specifically, it expects a certain amount of torque for a given hydraulic pressure. That torque depends entirely on the friction profile of the original brake pad.
Changing pad material can disrupt this balance. If the replacement pads don’t generate enough friction, the vehicle might not stop in time. If they’re too aggressive, the system may overreact. Either case leads to slower, jerkier corrections, and potentially unsafe driving behavior.
Brake Fade Can Disable Stability Systems
Brake fade further complicates things. The controller monitors braking intensity, especially during ADAS or stability system use. Even without direct temperature sensors, it estimates brake heat based on usage. If it suspects overheating, it may disable ABS, traction control, or stability features until the pads cool.
This process, known as brake fade compensation, relies on the hot friction characteristics of the OE pads. That’s why matching OE-spec pads during replacement is essential.
Component condition also plays a role. A frozen guide pin, for instance, used to cause a pull. Now, ABS adjusts pressure on the opposite side to compensate. The vehicle stays straight, but the system does extra work to mask a mechanical fault.
Stick to OE Specs to Protect ADAS Brake Service
The bottom line: use brake parts that match OE specs. That preserves ADAS function, maintains safety and control, and helps retain customer confidence in both their vehicle, and your shop.
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