What Does It Mean to Re-Calibrate a Windshield?
Updated: Apr 20
Are you wondering why your windshield needs recalibration after a repair and how it affects the advanced driver assistance systems in your car? Find out about ADAS technology, its connection to modern car windscreens, and why getting them re-calibrated is essential.
What Is ADAS?
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) use radar-based sensors, cameras, and other technologies to monitor the environment around your car while driving. This technology helps keep drivers safe by providing alerts and in some cases taking action on their behalf if a dangerous situation arises.
Examples of ADAS include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross traffic alert. Depending on the car you drive, it may be called something else, but the principle remains the same.
Here are a few of the major auto manufacturer’s branded versions of advanced driver assistance systems:
Subaru EyeSight
Honda Sensing
Toyota Safety Sense
Ford Co-Pilot 360
Kia DRIVEWiSE
Tesla self-drive
These are just a few of the many names car makers use to describe their own ADAS technologies.
What Does ADAS Have to Do with My Windshield?
For the ADAS Windshield Camera safety system to work properly, your windshield first needs to be installed properly by a certified auto glass shop and a certified windshield replacement technician. It is crucial for the windshield to installed to the manufactures specification otherwise you are risking to have the windshield camera pitch angle to face away from its appropriate target.
What does ADAS actually have to do with my windshield?
The answer is that your windshield has to be situated perfectly in relationship to the cameras and sensors mounted in your car. Certain areas of the glass are tinted or un-tinted in order to allow this technology to “see” the road and potential obstacles in the vehicle’s path.
If someone doesn’t properly perform your ADAS Camera Calibration, then there’s a chance the car’s system could fail to alert you or even alert you at the wrong time, causing you to make a quick decision based on false information.
Another example: if the car’s supposed to trigger emergency breaking in the event of a suddenly approaching object, a windshield with an improperly calibrated ADAS could bring the car to an abrupt stop at exactly the wrong moment.
These unpleasant (and dangerous) situations can occur based on the system being off by as little as a few degrees. As such, the most important factor at play here is, without a doubt, the safety of yourself and that of your precious cargo.
Because of this, you want to have a thoroughly trained capable technician run the proper calibration testing on your ADAS system to ensure that everything’s up to speed.
When Does My Windshield Need Calibrating?
A handful of instances do exist when you’ll need to have the windshield and ADAS recalibrated.
When these occur, you will want to have the calibration take place as soon as possible (in some cases, such as a windshield replacement, this occurs immediately following the procedure).
Here are a few examples of times when recalibration must be completed:
- After a Windshield Replacement - wheel realignment - Change of the car’s suspension - If the camera has become disconnected or reconnected - When your dashboard alerts you with an error messageW
If/when you have experienced any of these with your own vehicle, you will need to immediately have the ADAS calibration performed as well.
What Does It Mean to Calibrate a Windshield?
Your car’s windshield and computer systems need to be aligned according to the proper specifications.
To do this, you’ll want to ensure that the technician has performed one of two important calibration tests (depending on what the manufacturers require).
Static Recalibration – This form of ADAS calibration involves a stationary (aka, static) marker or target affixed ahead of the car throughout the process of recalibration.
Dynamic Recalibration – As opposed to static recalibration, this method calls for the camera and sensor systems to go through a range of movement. During a driving test, the car is driven at a constant speed on closed roads in relation to fixed objects.
The time needed to run these tests varies based on the specific make and model of the vehicle. A good rule of thumb — for either one of the methods — is around one to two hours.
The tools and equipment needed do require extensive technical skill and knowledge, but thankfully you don’t need to be an expert — you just need to find an expert.
If the correct testing has been completed and passed, then you can rest assured that you’re in good hands and your recalibration is now road safe. Pre and Post can documents should always be given to the customer.
Where Should I Have my Windshield Calibrated?
If you live anywhere in the inland empire, Direct Quality Auto Glass is certified and trained. Direct Quality Auto Glass meets and exceeds the manufactures standards. Here at Direct quality auto glass we specialize in Windshield Replacements, power window repair, sunroof repair and ADAS Calibrations. We are located at 708 w mill st, San Bernardino, CA 92410 unit f
Our Phone number is (909)251-6568 and you can ask for Carlos.