Replacing a side view mirror used to be simple, but these days that’s not true anymore. Systems like the Toyota / Lexus Panoramic View and Honda’s LaneWatch require calibration if the mirror is replaced. We offer calibration services for side view mirrors and other cameras at our shop in Berkeley, CA. We also offer ADAS calibration services, Subaru Eyesight calibration, and Honda multi-purpose camera replacement and calibration.
Toyota / Lexus Side View Mirror Replacement & calibration In Berkeley
When working with Toyota or Lexus vehicles, the most frustrating part of panoramic view calibration is parsing the instructions. Over 30 pages of mostly unimportant information.
What’s wrong with too much info? The necessary information is hidden in a sea of irrelevant text.
Any calibration, whether a mirror camera or a radar sensor always starts with the centerline of the vehicle. The left and right placement of targets is based on distance from the centerline of the vehicle.
The fore and aft placement of targets has no universal datum. A feature of the vehicle will be specified as a datum in the service manual and all fore and aft measurements will be made from this point. In the case of this 2021 Lexus ES350, the point where the rear bumper and quarter panel meet at the wheel well is the basis of the datum.
Modern Problems Require Ancient Solutions
String and plumb bobs have been used for at least 4,000 years, but they’re still some of the best tools for calibrating high-tech driver-assistance systems. I also use laser levels and other modern tools too, but the longer I do this the more I like using string.
On this Lexus, the rear datum is a line drawn across two points at the back of the rear wheels. I set a piece of tape down (it’s hard to find a sharpie dot on the floor without it) and make a mark on each side of the vehicle.
Setting Up With Only One Person
Nobody wants to pay for two mechanics at $176/hr. Am I right? Tape becomes my second set of hands during setup. I tape the string on right on the dot on one side, then sling the roll to the other side.
From the other side I’ll pull the string taught while lined up with the other dot, then tape it down far enough out that I can make measurements for target placement.
Next, I’ll go back to the first side and extend the string and tape it down far enough out while still lined up the dot.
The 1st Step for Nearly every Calibration
It’s hard to see in the picture, but there’s now a string down the centerline of the vehicle and across the car between the marks we made behind the rear wheels. Every measurement I make from now on will start at one of these two lines, so precise placement and verification is very important.
Measuring
Here I’ll use another ancient technology, the tape measure. The first known ruler dates back to around 2650 BCE, 4000 years ago, just like the plumb bob. I’m sure this Snap-On tape measure is a lot nicer than the bronze rulers of old though.
I always use the original metric specifications because there’s no chance of conversion error and they’re a whole lot easier to work with.
Building a Box
Using the string as datum, I’ll create a box around the car with string so the corners of the box line up with the targets, which will be “plus” marks on the ground made from 100mm wide gaffer’s tape (a little under 4″ wide). This width is specified by Toyota, and it’s not readily available locally, but I do appreciate that Toyota uses targets that can be printed or made in-shop in contrast to Honda and Subaru, which both require purchasing posters or targets for $400 – $600 each.
There are several ways to check your work:
- Measure both diagonals (corner to opposite corner) to see if they’re equal.
- Use a laser level to check square.
- 3-4-5 Triangle (Pythagorean Theorem) — see the image to the right
- Use a large square (less accurate).
- And many others I’m sure
Ready for Calibrating the Mirror
Lexus was kind enough to program a calibration routine into the vehicle’s display. You don’t need any special tools. This isn’t true for many mirror calibrations, but it is cool that Toyota put some effort into making their cars user serviceable.
If you work in the trades, machinist, carpenter, concrete, tile, glazier, or whatever, this type of work would be easy for you to do yourself. A tape measure, plumb bob, large level workspace, and an understanding of Cartesian coordinates and you’re good to go. As I said, the hardest part is extracting the necessary information from long and mind-numbing instructions aimed at a newborn with no life experience.
Panoramic Camera System Calibration After Mirror Replacement In Berkeley
If you’re looking for a shop that calibrates panoramic view after mirror replacement and you’re in Berkeley or surrounding areas like Oakland, Emeryville, El Cerrito, Richmond, or Orinda, give us a call. We’d be happy to give you a quote for your repair. If you’ve already replaced your mirror and are looking for calibration only, we’re happy to quote for that as well.
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