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Most drivers aren’t fully aware of all of the steps included in windshield repair or replacement, and that’s completely normal. For auto glass technicians, however, a windshield replacement is much more complex than simply popping out the old, cracked window and putting in a new one. The steps it takes between include windshield calibration. But, what exactly is calibrating your windshield, and what is there to calibrate, you ask? In today’s post, the expert glass technicians at Jet Black Tint and Glass in Central California will explain.
At Central California’s glass shop of choice, we repair and replace vehicle windows of all types, including smart windshields. As you are probably well aware, technology has advanced considerably over the last few decades, and car windows have changed quite a bit. While the main look and structure of a vehicle window haven’t changed much in the last 100 years or so, the glass itself as well as the features it offers has. For instance, heated window defrosters have only been around as long as your parents, and the first car windows were simply sheets of glass to keep rain and debris off the driver. Now, auto glass is a fully integrated component of the vehicle’s structural core and safety features. Made of tempered glass that is much more durable and protective, and embedded with various technology, car windows are a very dynamic part of your car. Let’s take a look at a few of the factors that may influence your windshield calibration.
The term windshield calibration doesn’t refer to calibrating the glass of your windshield, rather it refers to the recalibration of windshield-mounted cameras and other integrated smart technology. It’s not the glass itself that needs to be calibrated, it’s the camera and embedded sensors. Calibration is a process that electronically aims the windshield camera sensor and ensures the accuracy of the driver assistance systems in your vehicle. This includes smart systems like lane departure warnings, collision avoidance braking, adaptive cruise control, and other safety features. Calibration is a step that cannot be skipped when swapping out an old windshield for a new one and must be performed by an auto glass team with the correct equipment for the job.
Still cruising around in your red ‘06 Saturn Sky? We aren’t really sure how, but if you are, chances are, there’s not much to calibrate and you can skip this step and the additional cost. If, however, you’ve invested in a ‘22 Mercedes S-Class, your windshield calibration service is sure to confound even the savviest of glass experts and may bear a price tag much higher than anyone would like. The augmented reality head-up display (AR-HUD) provides loads of content for driving assistance systems and navigation information including built-in projection, screens, and lights, making it less of a windshield and more of a smart board you can see through. Even if you don’t have the newest, high-end vehicle that boasts over-the-top technology, the point still remains that the newer the vehicle, the more complex the features are bound to be, meaning the required calibration will follow suit.
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) systems are safety features of modern vehicles that attempt to solve the problem of blind spots and offer more information about the vehicle’s operations and relationship to other vehicles on the road to the driver to enhance driving safety and prevent motor crashes. These automotive safety systems employ cutting-edge technology including cameras, sensors, lasers, and other technology to collect data and relay messages to optimize driving. ADAS sensors provide warnings and can even react on the driver’s behalf by braking or steering to avoid hazards. Depending on what enhanced safety features are present in your vehicle will influence what needs to be done during your windshield calibration.
Certain aftermarket accessories added to your windshield may need to be recalibrated when your windshield is replaced or they are jostled out of position. Depending on what aftermarket accessory you’ve had installed will determine whether your Central California glass expert will be able to calibrate it or if you’ll need to contact the distributor. Some mounted cameras and sensors are relatively simple to calibrate while other integrated systems are more complex and will require reinstallation.
After all this talk about calibration, you may be wondering if you’ve missed some important car maintenance if your windshield has never been calibrated. You should only need to calibrate windshield accessories if they are not reading correctly or they have changed position — as during a windshield replacement. Once moved out of their initial position, ADAS cameras don’t have the ability to re-center or calibrate themselves. That’s why professional calibration is necessary with windshield replacement and several other common service situations. Calibration procedures test all the cameras and sensors attached to the windshield and adjustments are made to ensure they function properly.
Depending on your vehicle’s features, calibrations may be static, dynamic, or both. Static calibration is the process of adjusting the hard-coded values of each accessory. As an example, static calibration ensures windshield-mounted cameras are at the correct location and communicating correctly with other sensors and technology in your car.
Dynamic calibration, or on-road calibration, is the process of making adjustments by testing the system in action. This process requires the technician to perform specific vehicle maneuvers, looking for the right feedback and making adjustments to ensure they are correct.
When you schedule your vehicle for a windshield replacement with your local Central California glass shop, they will ask you questions to determine what your windshield calibration will look like, or if it is required at all. If your current windshield has any sort of embedded smart technology, cameras, sensors, lasers, or screens, it is imperative to have it calibrated by the experts prior to returning to the road after your windshield repair. At any of the Central California Jet Black Tint and Glass locations, our glass experts will explain the process and pricing so you have peace of mind that everything is taken care of. To schedule your windshield replacement and calibration, visit us online or give us a call today.