Vehicles Involved In A Collision

The compass system may require recalibration if the vehicle's structure is altered sufficiently. This occurs because any significant alterations in the vehicle's structure will cause corresponding alterations in the vehicle's inherent magnetic field. Thus, when the vehicle's structure is altered, as in a collision, the compass readings may reflect the offset in the vehicle's magnetic field. The vehicle operator may then discover differences in compass readings from those previously observed along familiar routes.