Windshield calibration, often overlooked in routine vehicle maintenance, plays a critical role in ensuring your safety on the road. It’s a process that ensures your vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and cameras function correctly, providing you with a clear and accurate view of your surroundings.
What is Windshield Calibration?
Windshield calibration is the process of recalibrating the sensors and cameras behind your windshield after a replacement. These sensors and cameras are integral parts of modern vehicles, enabling features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. When a windshield is replaced, the sensors and cameras may become misaligned, affecting their accuracy and potentially compromising your safety.
Why is Windshield Calibration Important?
- Ensuring ADAS Functionality: Windshield calibration is essential for the proper functioning of your vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These systems rely on accurate sensor readings to provide timely alerts and assistance. If your windshield is not calibrated correctly, these systems may malfunction, leading to potential accidents.
- Maintaining Clear Visibility: A properly calibrated windshield ensures that your view of the road is clear and undistorted. Any misalignment of the sensors or cameras can affect the accuracy of your vehicle’s vision systems, potentially leading to blind spots or distorted images.
- Preventing Accidents: By ensuring the correct calibration of your windshield, you can help prevent accidents by allowing your vehicle’s ADAS to function as intended. These systems can provide crucial warnings and assistance in emergency situations, potentially saving lives.
When Does Windshield Calibration Need to Be Performed?
Windshield calibration is typically necessary after a windshield replacement. However, it may also be required after a significant impact to the windshield, even if it does not require replacement. If your vehicle’s ADAS systems are experiencing issues or if you notice any changes in their behavior, it’s recommended to have your windshield calibrated to ensure proper functionality.
The Calibration Process
Calibrating your windshield typically involves using specialized diagnostic equipment to measure the alignment of the sensors and cameras behind your windshield. A technician will then make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the systems are properly calibrated. The process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of your vehicle’s ADAS systems.
Choosing a Reputable Windshield Replacement Company
When selecting a windshield replacement company, it’s crucial to choose one that is experienced and equipped to handle windshield calibration. Look for companies that have certified technicians and use state-of-the-art equipment. A reputable company will be able to provide you with information about the calibration process and ensure that your vehicle’s windshield is replaced and calibrated correctly.
Wrap Up
Windshield calibration is an essential aspect of vehicle maintenance that often goes overlooked. By ensuring that your windshield is properly calibrated, you can help maintain the safety and performance of your vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems. If you have recently had your windshield replaced or if you are experiencing issues with your ADAS, it’s recommended to have your windshield calibrated to ensure your safety on the road.
If you have any question regarding your vehicle’s windshield, please contact us and we can walk you through our process. Auto Glass & Tint Shop is located in Merriam, KS and service the surrounding areas.
