Why Drivers Should Calibrate the Windshield After Replacement
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are nothing new; auto manufacturers have added them to vehicles since the 1970s. The first ADAS feature was anti-lock brakes that prevent skidding during emergency braking.
Today, virtually all modern vehicles have at least one ADAS feature that makes driving safer and more convenient. These systems include features like lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, all of which rely on sensors and cameras embedded in the windshield. However, your windshield can become damaged, and when this happens, you’ll need to calibrate the windshield after replacement.
What Is Windshield Calibration?
You’re likely familiar with the advanced safety features in your car, such as lane departure warnings and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. The systems usually have a visual indicator on the dashboard and sound an alarm when you’re about to veer into another lane or collide with something.
For those to work properly, the sensors and cameras in your windshield need to be aligned. That’s what windshield calibration entails—fine-tuning and adjusting those sensors to ensure they are perfectly aligned.
There are two main types of calibration: static and dynamic. Static calibration is done while your car is parked, using special equipment and target images to align the sensors. Dynamic calibration, on the other hand, means you have to drive the car under certain conditions so the sensors can adjust themselves based on real-world data.
Both types of calibration are crucial for the accurate functioning of ADAS features. Therefore, calibration after windshield replacement ensures your vehicle's safety systems operate reliably and effectively.
The Role of ADAS in Vehicle Safety
Perhaps you recently replaced your windshield and didn’t calibrate the ADAS, and so far, everything’s gone just fine while driving. You might be wondering, “Is calibration necessary after windshield replacement?”
Well, here’s some interesting data to consider. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted extensive research that assessed the safety benefits of popular ADAS technologies, such as blind spot monitoring (BSM), lane-keeping assist (LKA), and forward collision warning (FCW). Their findings were quite eye-opening: if every vehicle had these features and they were used correctly, about 2.7 million crashes, 1.1 million injuries, and 9,500 deaths could be prevented yearly. Here’s a quick overview of how ADAS protects you while driving:
Accident Prevention: Features like forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) help prevent crashes by alerting drivers and automatically applying brakes.
Increased Awareness: Blind spot monitoring (BSM) and lane-keeping assist (LKA) improve driver awareness of surroundings, reducing blind spot incidents and unintentional lane departures.
Reduced Driver Fatigue: Adaptive cruise control (ACC) maintains a safe distance from other vehicles, easing the stress of long drives.
Enhanced Safety: These systems collectively reduce the likelihood of road accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
If your windshield sensors are misaligned, they might not work as intended, putting you and others on the road at risk. Calibrating the sensors ensures your ADAS can accurately detect and respond to potential hazards. Therefore, it’s crucial to calibrate the windshield after replacement to ensure all safety systems are fully operational and reliable.
Remember, you’re risking a lot with a malfunctioning ADAS system—make calibration a priority.
How Do You Know If You Need ADAS Calibration?
A windshield replacement isn’t the only reason to get ADAS calibration. Here are five instances that require calibration or recalibration:
Windshield Replacement: If you’ve had your windshield replaced.
Accident or Collision: A big impact can throw off your ADAS components.
Dashboard Warnings: If you see warning lights or error messages about your ADAS.
Poor ADAS Performance: If your ADAS features like lane departure warnings or cruise control aren’t working like they used to.
Vehicle Repair: After major repairs, especially to the structure or suspension. If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to schedule an ADAS calibration to keep your car safe and running smoothly.
Turn to Auto Glass Now for Reliable Windshield Calibration
Keep your vehicle’s safety in check. Head over to Auto Glass Now for professional windshield calibration. We offer both static and dynamic calibration to keep your ADAS functioning properly.
Whether you need to calibrate the windshield after replacement or just need a repair, we've got you covered with top-notch auto glass services. Our excellent customer service makes the whole process easy. With several convenient windshield repair locations, getting your windshield calibrated has never been easier. Make an appointment with Auto Glass Now today and drive with confidence!