If your car has features like lane-keeping assistance or adaptive cruise control, you have ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) at work. These systems rely on sensors and cameras often embedded in the windshield. When your windshield is replaced, the sensors can become misaligned, affecting how your car’s safety features operate. This is why ADAS calibration after a windshield replacement is essential.
Although roughly 14 million windshields are replaced annually in the U.S. alone, few motorists realize the importance of fine-tuning the systems that accompany them. Here are just a few reasons not to skip ADAS calibration:
- Your Car Might Get “Confused.” Even if your ADAS sensors still work after a windshield replacement, they might not work correctly. Misaligned sensors can send inaccurate information to your car’s computer, leading to confused signals and potentially dangerous driving situations.
- Your Driving Safety May be Compromised. Here’s a sobering fact: if your car’s forward-facing camera’s aim is off by just one degree, the collision avoidance system will be off by 8 feet at 100 feet away. At highway speeds, that’s a huge margin of error in a split second, and this could have major safety implications for you.
- You Could Miss Out on Insurance Compensation. Many insurance companies now require proof of ADAS calibration after windshield replacements. Skipping this step might void your coverage or complicate future claims in case of an incident. Some insurers even consider driving without proper calibration as operating an unsafe vehicle.
Overall, it’s crucial to note that your car’s advanced safety features are only as good as their calibration. Here at McConnell Auto Glass, we want to help ensure you keep them working perfectly. Our technicians are AGSC-certified experts in ADAS calibration, and we’ll use the latest technology to ensure your car’s safety systems are functioning properly after a windshield replacement.