If your vehicle is up to 10 years old, big chance it carries the ADAS – Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. In fact, at least 50% of cars on today’s road have those systems at least at some level. Pretty complex and delicate, they are considered to be the key safety feature today. However, just like any advanced technology, those systems require attention and recalibration after any kind of impact, including the windshield replacement.
Although this practice is already considered to be pretty routine and covered by most insurance plans, it may appear pretty hard for you to find a car service that would provide thorough windshield replacement and recalibration.
In this article, we shall explain why recalibration is mandatory after a windshield replacement and how to make sure that your mechanic provides you a thorough service.
Why is recalibration important?
As we have already mentioned, more and more cars come with the ADAS today. Those systems are responsible for various features that make your driving experience smooth and safe. Moreover, providing you with more control over the situation and monitoring the traffic, those systems even watch over the safety of other fellow drivers on the road.
Here are just some of the features controlled by ADAS:
- collision avoidance;
- lane-departure warnings;
- rain detection, etc.
Technically, you may say that those systems allow you to drive safer even if the visibility is low or compromised by heavy rain or snowfall, lack of lighting, and numerous other factors.
Those systems rely on cameras or sensors typically placed on the windshield. That is why it is pretty logical that if the windshield has been broken in s collision or any other accident or replaced due to any reason, the work of ADAS may be compromised and will need recalibration.
What is recalibration?
The whole idea is to return your car back on the road in the condition it was before you had to replace the windshield. More and more often, it means that the mechanic will have to conduct a thorough ADAS inspection and recalibration.
There are two kinds of recalibration after the windshield replacement:
- Static recalibration;
- Dynamic recalibration.
Static Recalibration
To perform Static Recalibration, the technician would have to calibrate cameras and sensors focusing on particular targets. Static recalibration is done at a known environment with targets known to the systems. Those are road markings, other vehicles, etc.
After the recalibration is done, the technician will take a vehicle for a test drive to make sure that all the systems work normally. Most of the time, Static Recalibration is enough to adjust and align all the sensors. However, if your vehicle has more advanced ADAS or there are any special requirements from the manufacturer, there may be a need to complete Static Recalibration with the Dynamic one.
Dynamic Recalibration
Unlike Static Recalibration, the Dynamic procedure is done “on the go.” It means that your car will move on a road at a safe speed and the cameras and sensors will calibrate focusing on moving targets and obstacles.
When taking your car for a windshield replacement, it would be pretty helpful if you ask your technician what kind of recalibration does the service provides and whether there is any special manufacturer’s recommendation or requirement considering your particular vehicle.
Here at OHS Body Shop, we put our customer’s safety first place. That is why our technicians perform all kinds of after-repair recalibration according to the safety instructions and manufacturer’s recommendations. Contact us today or visit one of our branches in Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley, located in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson. We shall be happy to answer all your questions and make sure that all the systems of your car work properly for your safety and comfort.
