If you’ve recently had a windshield replaced, or you’re about to, here’s something worth knowing. According to the Auto Glass Safety Council, a windshield camera that’s off by just one degree after replacement can cause collision avoidance system to miss its mark by 8 feet at a distance of 100 feet.
Most newer cars come equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and many of the cameras and sensors powering those systems are mounted directly on or near the windshield. When the glass gets replaced, those systems often need to be recalibrated before they’ll work the way they’re supposed to.
What Is ADAS Recalibration?
ADAS features include things like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Many of these systems rely on a forward-facing camera mounted near the rearview mirror that looks through your windshield at the road ahead.
When your windshield is replaced, that camera gets removed from the old glass and reinstalled on the new one. Even if the installation looks perfect, the camera’s position may have shifted slightly. The new windshield also has its own optical properties, and no two pieces of glass are exactly the same. Without recalibration, the system is essentially operating on bad information, and the tricky part is that it often won’t tell you.
If you’re weighing whether your windshield needs repair or a full replacement, that’s the first question to get answered.
Does Every Vehicle Require Recalibration?
Not always. Older vehicles without ADAS are generally fine after a standard replacement. But if your car was built in the last several years and has features like lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, or automatic braking, recalibration is very likely part of the job. Your VIN can help a shop quickly confirm what systems your vehicle has. The smartest move is to ask before the glass goes in, not after.
Two Types of Calibration
If recalibration is needed, it typically falls into one of two categories:
- Static calibration. This is done in the shop with the vehicle parked. Technicians use specialized targets and equipment to align the camera back to factory specs.
- Dynamic calibration. This is done by driving the vehicle on well-marked roads so the system can re-learn road conditions in real time.
Some vehicles require one, some require both. It depends on the make, model, and what systems are on board.
What Happens If You Skip It?
A miscalibrated system often won’t trigger a dashboard warning light. Everything appears normal; however, lane departure alerts may misfire, automatic braking could engage late, or not engage at all.
A good auto glass repair shop will bring up the calibration question before the work starts and let you know exactly what your vehicle needs. And once the new glass is in, they will make sure you also know what to do and what to avoid in the hours right after installation.
If you have questions or are in need of auto glass repair, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us today.