Teran Marsell | Published on July 25th, 2019Cars have advanced in technology over the years. That means that repairs have become more complicated and costly. We have to educate ourselves on what we need to repair or maintain, especially when working with new cars. By “new,” we mean cars that have been made after 2015. It is highly likely that if you purchased a car after this year, then your insurance may have become more complicated.
Due to new regulations, cars made after 2014 must be fitted with rear-view cameras by the year 2018. These cameras are intended to prevent accidents that blind spots can cause. This equipment is part of an Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), which are meant to increase safety when driving. When you have one of the newer car models, chances are you have a windshield outfitted with cameras and sensors because of these laws, and because car manufacturers want to keep their customers alive.
Let’s say that you are driving down the highway. Out of nowhere, someone switches lanes without signaling and damages your windshield. After you check everyone in the car to make sure that you are not hurt, you have a problem. The windshield needs repairing. But simply replacing a sheet of protective glass is not as simple as it used to be.
The cameras and sensors also have to align with the road and relevant environment. The equipment has to take in information accurately. Or you could easily wind up in another car crash. You have to make sure any ADAS equipment attached to your windshield is calibrated. This not only will increase your safety, but also follow the ADAS Code of Practice.
What is Windshield Calibration?
Windshield calibration is making sure that all of the ADAS equipment on your windshield — the cameras and sensors which create a picture of the road and will assist in hitting the breaks — is working. That means evaluating the measurements they produce and testing them for accuracy within the auto repair shop’s relative safety. It’s better for a mechanic to test out the camera and sensors within an enclosed area rather than for you the driver to find out that you have improper alignment.
Due to the cameras and sensors being used for safety, they need to be precise. Repairs or replacement of a windshield can easily throw these sensitive measurements off and skew their results. Something as small as adjusting the camera angle can literally affect its perspective, so mechanics have to adjust the cameras and sensors to manufacturers’ recommendations.
Windshield replacement isn’t the only reason why you need calibration. You will also need it if wheel alignment and suspension changes, or the camera disconnects. The littlest changes can affect your system.
Your local dealership will offer windshield calibration services. So will automotive repair shops with trained experts. We also offer them, as well as a recalibration of a full ADAS system.
Learn More From Team Acme
Team Acme wants to educate our customers about ADAS systems. The more they are installed in cars, the more that drivers and passengers need to learn where to recalibrate them. Your road safety is our concern, especially as regulations allow for more ADAS systems in cars.
Contact us today, using our online contact form. We will be happy to talk more about recalibration, and other current technologies that comprise modern ADAS.
