Your 2024 Vehicle’s Safety Systems Could Be Compromised by Something as Simple as Windshield Replacement
If you own a 2024 model vehicle, chances are it’s equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that make driving safer and more convenient. These systems include features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane assist, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and collision avoidance. However, what many drivers don’t realize is that nearly all vehicle manufacturers require that the camera connected to your windshield be recalibrated after windshield replacement, as more and more vehicles have advanced safety systems.
Why ADAS Calibration is Critical After Minor Windshield Work
These systems include features like lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, all of which rely on sensors and cameras embedded in the windshield. For those to work properly, the sensors and cameras in your windshield need to be aligned. That’s what windshield calibration entails—fine-tuning and adjusting those sensors to ensure they are perfectly aligned.
Replacing a windshield does more than fix cracks—it disrupts the exact positioning of your vehicle’s onboard vision and safety systems. Even a millimeter of misalignment can cause critical ADAS functions to fail. Less than one degree of misalignment is enough to create problems with a vehicle’s ADAS features. Proper calibration guarantees that the vehicle’s sensors are accurately adjusted, aligned, and communicating. Without accurate calibration, these systems may not function as intended, leading to potentially hazardous situations.
The Real-World Impact of Proper ADAS Calibration
The importance of proper ADAS calibration cannot be overstated. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted extensive research that assessed the safety benefits of popular ADAS technologies, such as blind spot monitoring (BSM), lane-keeping assist (LKA), and forward collision warning (FCW). Their findings were quite eye-opening: if every vehicle had these features and they were used correctly, about 2.7 million crashes, 1.1 million injuries, and 9,500 deaths could be prevented yearly.
If your windshield sensors are misaligned, they might not work as intended, putting you and others on the road at risk. Calibrating the sensors ensures your ADAS can accurately detect and respond to potential hazards. Therefore, it’s crucial to calibrate the windshield after replacement to ensure all safety systems are fully operational and reliable.
Understanding the Calibration Process
ADAS calibration is a sophisticated process that requires specialized equipment and expertise. There are two major types of ADAS recalibration: Static Calibration: Performed inside our shop using high-precision laser alignment tools, targets, and optical boards. This method is essential for vehicles that require exact environment-controlled conditions. Dynamic Calibration: Done while driving the vehicle on clearly marked roads at certain speeds. Our technician uses a scan tool in real-time to guide sensor calibration under natural conditions.
The windshield recalibration process typically takes an hour or more, depending on the make or model of your vehicle. ADAS recalibration costs vary depending on several factors, including your vehicle’s make, model, and year, the number and type of systems requiring recalibration, the method of recalibration needed (static vs. dynamic), and your location.
Why Choose Professional ADAS Calibration in Suffolk County
For Suffolk County residents, finding a qualified provider for ADAS calibration Suffolk County services is crucial for maintaining vehicle safety. Founded in 2016, First Class Auto Glass was created to solve a growing problem in Suffolk & Nassau County. As cars evolved with more advanced technology, we noticed a lack of local shops ready to handle both the complexity of modern vehicles and the urgency of auto glass repairs. From there, our mission was clear: to offer high-quality windshield repairs, replacements, and front camera calibrations with a personal touch that only a local business could provide.
We built our company around trust, quality, and a dedication to getting our neighbors back on the road quickly and safely. We use only the best materials, from high-grade laminated glass to specialized resins, ensuring your vehicle’s repair is top-tier.
The Consequences of Skipping Calibration
Not only is this a serious safety hazard, but it could also leave you liable in the event of a collision if the system was not properly calibrated. That’s why most vehicle manufacturers and insurance providers require recalibration after any windshield replacement. Yes, when your ADAS is disturbed from a windshield replacement, wheel alignment, or your vehicle has been involved in an accident, your insurance will require you to have windshield calibration to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive. Any reputable or certified auto glass shop is going to tell you need to do a windshield calibration after replacing a windshield! If you need a windshield replacement and have ADAS technology, it is required to recalibrate your ADAS to ensure your safety.
Making the Right Choice for Your 2024 Vehicle
As ADAS technology becomes standard in 2024 vehicles, proper calibration after windshield work is no longer optional—it’s essential. Many 2016 and newer vehicles are equipped with ADAS features such as automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. These systems typically require calibration after a windshield replacement is performed.
When choosing a service provider, ensure they have the proper equipment, training, and experience to handle your vehicle’s specific requirements. All our repairs and replacements come with a lifetime warranty, ensuring your peace of mind with every service. We offer emergency crack repairs and same-day windshield replacements, so you’re never left stranded.
Don’t compromise on safety—ensure your 2024 vehicle’s ADAS systems are properly calibrated after any windshield work. Your safety, and the safety of others on the road, depends on it.