Guide to Accessing the Deceleration Sensor Zero Point Calibration in an OBD Scanner
Zero Point Calibration is a process used to recalibrate the deceleration sensor, a component of the vehicle’s electronic stability control system. It is important to use this calibration when the sensor’s baseline value drifts over time, leading to inaccurate readings and potentially compromising the ESC system’s functionality. By resetting the sensor’s zero point using an OBD scanner, technicians can ensure accurate lateral acceleration detection, improving vehicle safety and handling.
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Deceleration Sensor Zero Point Calibration: an available option in a few of the scanners or scanning tools, particularly OBD (On-Board Diagnostics), used for vehicle diagnosis and service. This feature mainly caters to the calibration of the Deceleration Sensor Zero Point in the ESC, or Electronic Stability Control, system of the vehicle, or the Traction Control System.
The deceleration sensor, also defensibly called a lateral acceleration sensor or a G-sensor, is an accelerometer, in fact, capable of determining the lateral acceleration of a respective vehicle during turning or while making up-and-down maneuvers. The E.S.C. system applies these data to draw conclusions about when the vehicle is skidding or just about to lose stability, and it assists the driver to bring things back into line by applying selective brakes or decreasing power output from the engine.
The base values of the deceleration sensor drift over time because of temperature changes, for example, or sensor aging. It would then give readings likely to be incorrect to the sensor, hence the ESC system would not operate correctly.
It uses an OBD scanner with a zero-point calibration function for the deceleration sensor, either to reset or recalibrate the deceleration sensor zero point to rectify the displayed readings. This process usually involves following certain procedures given by the manufacturer of that particular vehicle, such as the nature of ensuring that the vehicle is on level ground, setting the brake, and how to go about initiating the calibration process from the OBD scanner.
With this calibration, the baseline of the deceleration sensor is reset to the correct value that it shall be capable of reading in order that, in the case of necessity, it can give reliable data for the ESC system. It contributes toward the proper operation of the traction control and stability control systems, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle with improved vehicle handling characteristics.
How to access this function in your OBD scanner
This special function is available only to high-end scanners that have bi-directional capability, like the Launch X431 Pro Series, Autel, Gscan, and more.
- Open your OBD scanner.
- Select Local Diagnose if you are using Launch X431
- Select Car Brand
- Select Model (auto-detect is better to detect the vehicle VIN).
- Select ECMECT (Engine and ECT).
- select Special Function
- Then select Deceleration Sensor Zero Point Calibration.
A sample car model that has this function is the Toyota 4Runner.
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