What Is Windshield Camera Recalibration, And When Does My Car Need It?

Replacing a cracked or damaged windshield is an important part of keeping yourself and your family safe in your vehicle. But did you know that when doing this, vehicle manufacturers require that the camera connected to your windshield be recalibrated as well?

Safelite® replaces and recalibrates more windshields than anyone else in the country. Keep reading for everything you need to know about windshield camera recalibration and when your vehicle may need it.

What Do Advanced Safety Systems Do?

Most new cars come equipped with advanced safety features. These advanced systems — sometimes called advanced driver assistance safety systems (ADAS) — offer a range of safety features. These include lane keep assist, which helps drivers stay in their lanes; forward collision warning, which warns drivers with audio or visual signals when they need to brake; and automatic emergency braking, which activates the brakes if the system detects an imminent collision. Additional features include adaptive cruise control, where drivers can set a speed and the car will automatically keep an adequate distance from other drivers; lane departure warnings to stop drivers from drifting; and more.

Together, these safety systems are designed to reduce the risk and severity of collisions by creating a safety net around the vehicle. The features work together to look out for the driver from every direction, helping to keep them safe and alert while on the road.

Because most of these safety features are enabled by the forward-facing camera, recalibration is required when replacing a windshield so these features continue to work properly. Safelite technicians are experts in replacement and recalibration and will help ensure your vehicle continues to keep you safe on the road.

How Does Windshield Replacement Affect A Vehicle's Advanced Safety Features?

When damage occurs and you need a windshield replacement, vehicle manufacturers require recalibration of the forward-facing camera connected to your windshield. At Safelite, windshield replacement is not complete until the recalibration has been performed. Recalibration helps ensure the car's safety system operates as it should. Safelite can usually complete the windshield replacement and safety system recalibration in a single appointment.

What Happens During A Windshield Camera Recalibration?

The advanced safety systems in your car all work together using cameras, radars, and other sensors that relay information to a computer in the car, triggering the correct response as needed. When a windshield with a forward-facing camera is removed, that system needs to be recalibrated so it can continue to properly detect obstacles and markers on the road. A safety system that’s out of precise alignment can lead to inaccurate warnings, nonfunctioning automatic and preventative features and other safety issues.

Depending on how your vehicle was designed, it may need either a static or dynamic recalibration process (or both) following windshield replacement. Dynamic recalibration requires a technician to drive the vehicle on well-marked roads at a set speed during the process. The technician will plug a tablet into the vehicle and calibrate the cameras to road markers. This ensures that the vehicle and safety systems are properly recognizing the road and lane markers.

In contrast, static recalibration is performed in the controlled environment of a Safelite shop. A specific target image is mounted on a fixture in front of the parked vehicle — similarly to when you read the eye test chart during an optical exam. A technician confirms that the camera and any other technology used in the safety system are accurately pointing at the image marker, which is set in a precise spot at the proper distance and height for your vehicle. From there, technicians ensure that the system receives a positive response from the vehicle and the safety system is operating as intended.

Some vehicles require both dynamic and static recalibration. No matter what type of recalibration is needed, Safelite's expert technicians can get it done.

Why Choose Safelite?

If you need a windshield replacement and recalibration, Safelite is the most trusted name in the industry. Safelite serves over 6 million customers each year and is proud of its certified technicians, proprietary tools, the latest technology and impeccable customer service.

Convenience: One of Safelite’s best features is the flexibility in options available for completing service. You can schedule an appointment online at one of Safelite’s many repair shops nationwide. If you don't want to drive your vehicle with a broken windshield or can't make it to a shop, Safelite's MobileGlassShop™ can come to you.

Easy Payment: Safelite makes payment a breeze, too. Once you receive a quote for services, you can choose whether you’d like to pay on your own or work with your insurance. If you choose to pay through your insurance company, Safelite will handle the claims process for you. They work closely with most major auto insurance companies to file claims on your behalf and can help you determine your out-of-pocket costs.

Service Warranty: Safelite even provides a nationwide lifetime warranty on glass replacement services. Under this warranty, automotive glass is covered against defects in material or workmanship for as long as the customer owns the vehicle — so long as such defects are brought to the attention of Safelite within 30 days of discovering the defects. The warranty will be honored anywhere in the United States where Safelite does business.

Learn more about advanced safety systems recalibration at Safelite.