What is Windshield Calibration and Why You Can't Ignore It?

So, you have replaced your windshield and now you are all ready to show off your new windshield. But wait? Did you get your windshield calibrated? If you are thinking, what is this? Don’t worry, you are not alone; many people don’t know about this. We have curated this blog to help you know about the importance of windshield calibration and why you should not skip it.

Gone are the days, when the windshield was only used to see the road but the scenario has changed. Modern windshields have now become an integral part of the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), housing sensors and cameras, which help prevent collisions. For the ADAS system to work properly, these pieces of equipment (sensor and camera) need to be aligned and fixed, especially after windshield replacement. And this is where windshield calibration comes into the picture. Broadly, there are two types of windshield calibration-

Static calibration is done in a controlled environment such as a workshop or garage and targets are positioned in front of vehicle sensors and cameras for calibration. In this process, the vehicle is kept stationary, therefore it is referred to as static calibration.

In dynamic calibration, a vehicle is driven at specific speeds for recalibration. Generally, in dynamic calibration, a technician uses specialised equipment to adjust the ADAS system of the vehicle.

Many times people don’t understand whether their ADAS system requires calibration, if you are among those, here are some warning signs.

Windshield replacement is the most obvious sign of calibration, as we have already discussed. So, if you have had your windshield replaced by an auto glass repair shop, then the camera and sensors in the ADAS system need to be calibrated.

Another key indicator of calibration is faulty activeness of the ADAS system such as false braking or any other unexpected things. If you experience this, it’s the right time to get it calibrated.

If you have been involved in any accident or collision, you need to recalibrate the ADAS system. Similarly, any vehicle modification, such as a change in tyres or any other changes in the components of the car, requires windshield calibration.

Many people think that a little misalignment in ADAS does not cause much of a problem, but that’s not true and here is why.

ADAS is designed to protect the people sitting inside the car and other road users. A faulty or misaligned windshield can give you false readings, risking the life of everyone. Let us say your automatic braking system does not get activated when an obstacle comes; what do you think will happen- collision, correct? So, don’t put everyone's safety at stake and get your ADAS system calibrated as soon as possible.

While windshield calibration has an upfront cost, consider the financial repercussions that come with ignoring it. And we are saying this because a malfunctioning ADAS can lead to expensive repairs, which can increase your insurance premiums.

Modern vehicles have interconnected systems; This means ADAS will not work alone but with other systems such as telemetry, navigation and other systems. So, a misaligned ADAS can make other parts misbehave, such as wrong calculation of ETA and more.

We live in a world of technology, so we need to ensure that technology works properly. ADAS are one of the most sophisticated systems that are mounted on or near the windshield. So, don’t treat calibration as something extra, instead consider it an essential requirement of your car that will ensure the safety of you and others on the road. In the end, one should not compromise with road safety and a properly calibrated car is a must for this.

The time windshield calibration takes depends upon the type of the car and calibration. Generally, static calibration takes around 30-60 minutes, dynamic calibration, on the other hand, can take more time.

Most comprehensive insurance policies cover windshield calibration, especially if it is necessary after an insured windshield replacement. However, it’s best to confirm with the insurer.

Most auto glass shops provide windshield calibration services. However, it’s essential to find a professional and reliable one to ensure the calibration is done properly.