Cars today are smart. They come packed with systems meant to help keep us safe on the road. But sometimes even a small change can mess up these systems, making them work incorrectly. Our post is here to show you how crucial it is to keep these systems well-tuned for your safety.

These systems are called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS for short. They can include features such as lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, and other automated safety features.

It’s imperative you’re aware of what ADAS systems your vehicle is equipped with, and not equipped with, since it varies greatly from vehicle to vehicle. Additionally, ADAS features should not be relied upon as a substitute for good driving habits. 

Let’s find out more!

Key Takeaways

• Replacing a windshield typically requires ADAS features to be calibrated afterward.
• Most windshield replacement companies can also perform calibrations, saving you time and hassle.
• If you’re not sure whether your car will require ADAS calibration, a glass shop can help you determine this. 
• Improperly calibrated ADAS systems lead to reduced accuracy, making safety features such as emergency braking and lane keeping assist unreliable. Cars need precise sensor settings to avoid missing or wrongly reacting to hazards on the road.
• False alarms from poorly calibrated advanced driver-assistance systems can confuse drivers. These false warnings may cause drivers to ignore real dangers, increasing the risk of accidents in situations where reliable alerts are crucial.
• Regular maintenance of car sensors is essential for keeping ADAS functioning correctly. Dirt or damage can block sensors, affecting their ability to detect obstacles or lane changes accurately.
• Neglecting recalibration after repairs or modifications can compromise driver safety by preventing vital safety features from working during critical moments on the road. Prioritizing regular sensor checks and recalibrations is key to maintaining vehicle safety standards.

The Implications of Improper ADAS Calibration

Improper ADAS calibration reduces system accuracy and can increase false alarms. It may compromise safety features, leading to potential risks for drivers.

Reduced System Accuracy

Minor changes to a car, such as replacing your windshield or changing tire size, can mess up advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). These systems include automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist.

Such tweaks might cause these technologies not to work correctly. This is because ADAS relies on precise sensor calibration to function accurately.

Many of these sensors are mounted to the windshield- the highest interior point of the vehicle. When the windshield is replaced, it’s likely the position of these sensors is changed. Windshield replacements often mean sensors for blind spot detection or forward collision warning need moving or recalibrating. If not done right, this can lead to less accurate readings from the system.

In turn, drivers might face unexpected situations on the road due to incorrect alerts or missed hazards that these systems should have caught.

Increased False Alarms

Moving from the topic of reduced system accuracy, errors in calibration can also lead to more false alarms. These incorrect warnings can startle drivers unnecessarily. They happen when advanced driver-assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist sense danger where there is none.

For example, a well-calibrated pre-collision system is unlikely to give wrong alerts about an impending collision that really isn’t going to happen.

False alarms not only confuse drivers; they can also make drivers ignore real warnings over time. This phenomenon is dangerous on roads filled with traffic and unpredictable weather conditions.

Imagine your vehicle’s automatic braking braking system engaging for no reason, or your collision avoidance technology beeping because it mistook roadside bushes for obstacles in heavy rain. These can be potential dangers of not calibrating. 

Drivers relying on automated driving features need them to work correctly all the time to ensure their safety and that of others around them.

Compromised Safety Features

Improper adjustment of a vehicle’s driver-assistance features can severely weaken its safety systems. Minor changes, such as replacing a windshield, may disrupt the function of crash-avoidance mechanisms.

This makes them less reliable in preventing accidents. As vehicles utilize these advanced technologies for road safety, any decrease in their efficiency poses a risk to drivers and passengers alike.

Some reports show that nearly half of all car owners face problems with their Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) following repairs. Such issues mean that essential functions like pre-collision alerts and stability management might not activate as intended during critical moments. 

These flaws not only endanger lives but also increase the likelihood of road mishaps, making it crucial to conduct precise calibrations after any repair work involving ADAS components such as a windshield replacement.

The Consequences of Neglected ADAS Calibration on Driver Safety

Neglected ADAS calibration significantly impacts driver safety. Incomplete recalibration can lead to compromised system performance, increasing the risk of collisions. Additionally, insurance coverage for vehicles with improper or incomplete ADAS recalibrations could be denied by some companies, potentially leading to legal and financial complications.

Environmental factors such as severe weather conditions can further hinder the accuracy of ADAS systems, posing additional risks to driver safety.

Furthermore, improperly calibrated ADAS systems may not function as intended during critical moments on the road, making it essential for drivers to prioritize regular sensor maintenance and adaptive calibration software techniques.

It’s crucial for vehicle owners to understand that neglected ADAS calibration not only affects the functionality of safety features but also raises potential liability concerns in cases of road crashes or accidents.

This underscores the necessity for meticulous attention to detail when it comes to maintaining and calibrating these advanced driver-assistance systems to ensure optimal performance under diverse driving conditions.

Conclusion

Improper ADAS calibration can lead to reduced system accuracy, increased false alarms, and compromised safety features.

Neglecting ADAS calibration can have severe consequences on driver safety, including potential collisions caused by malfunctioning systems. It is critical to ensure proper recalibration of ADAS applications after common repairs to prevent such risks.

Most windshield repair companies also perform calibrations. This helps make having your vehicle calibrated after a windshield replacement easy, with little hassle.

In general ADAS features add to vehicle maintenance costs, and this is true when it comes to windshield replacements as well. Be aware that a calibration may cost anywhere from $200-$600 in addition to the cost of replacing your windshield. However, as noted above, the cost is well worth it to ensure your vehicle’s ADAS features are functioning properly and keeping you as safe as possible. 

FAQs

1. What is ADAS in cars?

ADAS stands for Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems. It includes features such as lane departure warning systems, stability control, and blind spot detection to help drivers stay safe on the road.

2. Why is proper ADAS calibration important?

Proper ADAS calibration ensures that all the safety features work correctly under different conditions such as lighting, rainfall, or when driving near large vehicles that might be in your blind spots.

3. Can improper ADAS calibration affect visibility?

Yes, if systems such as rain-sensing wipers or automatic headlights aren’t calibrated correctly, they may not work properly during downpours or low-light conditions, making it hard to see the road clearly.

4. How does incorrect calibration of lane-keep assist and tire pressure monitoring impact safety?

Incorrectly calibrated lane-keep assist can fail to detect lane departures accurately, while wrong tire pressure monitoring might not alert you about under-inflated tires, both increasing the risk of accidents.

5. Does luxury or brand matter when it comes to ADAS functionality?

While luxury brands often equip their cars with advanced versions of ADAS technologies such as lidar for better performance in various climates and weather conditions; most vehicles with these systems require calibration regardless of the brand to ensure driver safety.

6. Who should I consult for proper ADAS calibration after auto repair?

It’s best to visit certified, licensed, and insured professionals who specialize in ADAS calibration. Many auto glass replacement companies also perform calibrations, or partner with a calibration company to ensure your windshield replacement and calibration is an easy “one-stop-shop” experience.