Which Vehicles Need ADAS Calibration After Windshield Replacement?

Windshield replacement used to be a relatively straightforward job.

Today, the windshield on many vehicles is also part of a much larger safety system.

If your vehicle has a forward-facing camera mounted near the rearview mirror, that camera may be used by Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, commonly called ADAS. Depending on the vehicle, those systems can support lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and other driver-assistance features.

When the windshield is replaced, the camera may need to be recalibrated.

But which vehicles actually require calibration?

The short answer is: it depends on the vehicle, its equipment and the manufacturer's procedures.

What Is ADAS Calibration?

ADAS calibration is the process of ensuring that a vehicle's cameras and sensors are accurately aligned with the road and with the vehicle itself.

A camera mounted behind the windshield needs to interpret lane markings, vehicles, pedestrians and other objects in very precise positions.

Even a small change in the camera's angle or mounting position can affect how the system interprets what it sees.

Replacing the windshield can change the relationship between the camera and the road, which is why many manufacturers require calibration after windshield replacement.

Does Every Vehicle Need Calibration After a Windshield Replacement?

No.

Older vehicles without windshield-mounted cameras generally don't require ADAS camera calibration after glass replacement.

The same can be true for some newer vehicles that don't have camera-based driver assistance equipment.

However, many vehicles built during the last several years do use a camera positioned near the top centre of the windshield.

If your vehicle has one, calibration may be required after the glass is replaced.

The important word is may.

Calibration requirements are determined by the vehicle manufacturer and can vary by year, model, trim level and equipment package.

Two vehicles that look almost identical from the outside may have completely different windshield and calibration requirements.

How Do I Know If My Vehicle Has an ADAS Camera?

Look near the rearview mirror.

If you see a camera or larger plastic housing attached to the inside of the windshield, your vehicle may use a forward-facing ADAS camera.

You may also notice driver-assistance features such as:

• Lane departure warning

• Lane keeping assistance

• Forward collision warning

• Automatic emergency braking

• Adaptive cruise control

• Traffic sign recognition

• Automatic high beams

Having one or more of these features doesn't automatically tell you which calibration procedure is required, but it's a good indication that the windshield replacement needs to be checked against the manufacturer's specifications.

Which Vehicle Brands Commonly Use Windshield-Mounted ADAS Cameras?

ADAS cameras are now common across a wide range of manufacturers.

You can find windshield-mounted camera systems on many newer models from manufacturers including Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and others.

But there is no simple rule that says every Toyota, every Honda or every Subaru needs exactly the same calibration.

The requirements can change by:

• Model

• Model year

• Trim level

• Installed options

• Camera system

• Windshield specification

• Manufacturer repair procedures

That's why the vehicle's exact information needs to be checked before the job is completed.

Does a Toyota Need Calibration After Windshield Replacement?

Many newer Toyota vehicles use camera-based driver assistance systems.

Depending on the model and year, replacing the windshield may require calibration of the forward-facing camera.

The same applies to many Honda, Subaru, Hyundai, Mazda and other modern vehicles.

Rather than assuming based on the badge on the grille, a glass technician should confirm the required procedure for the specific vehicle.

That is especially important as manufacturers continue to update their driver-assistance systems from one model year to the next.

Why Does Windshield Replacement Affect the Camera?

The forward-facing camera is typically mounted to a bracket attached to or positioned against the windshield.

When the glass is replaced, that camera may be removed and reinstalled.

Even if the new windshield appears to fit perfectly, the camera's position relative to the road can change slightly.

The replacement glass itself also needs to have the correct characteristics and mounting provisions for the camera system.

The camera is essentially looking through the windshield at the world ahead.

That makes both the glass and its installation important to the performance of the system.

What Happens During an ADAS Calibration?

There are two common types of calibration: static and dynamic.

Static Calibration

Static calibration is completed while the vehicle remains stationary.

Specialized targets or calibration boards are positioned in precise locations in front of the vehicle. Diagnostic equipment is then used to guide the calibration process.

The shop environment, vehicle position, measurements and target placement all need to meet the requirements of the calibration procedure.

Dynamic Calibration

Dynamic calibration requires the vehicle to be driven.

During the drive, the camera uses road markings and other visual information to complete the calibration.

The required driving conditions can vary by vehicle.

Clear lane markings, suitable speeds, good visibility and appropriate road conditions may all be important.

Some Vehicles Require Both

Certain vehicles may require a combination of static and dynamic procedures.

Again, the correct method depends on the specific vehicle.

Can Weather Affect ADAS Calibration?

It can, particularly with dynamic calibration.

Heavy rain, snow, fog, glare or poorly visible lane markings may interfere with the camera's ability to complete the procedure.

Road construction can also make dynamic calibration more difficult if temporary markings or missing lane lines prevent the system from seeing the roadway clearly.

This is one reason the total appointment time for windshield replacement can vary.

The glass may be installed, but the vehicle still needs to complete its required calibration process before the job is finished.

What If I Skip Calibration?

If the manufacturer requires calibration after windshield replacement, it should be completed.

A warning light isn't always the only indication that something may be wrong.

A camera can still appear to be functioning while its view of the road is slightly different from what the system expects.

The purpose of calibration is to confirm that the camera is correctly aligned following the repair.

Because ADAS features can be involved in braking, steering alerts and collision warnings, this isn't something we'd recommend treating as optional when the manufacturer specifies that it is required.

Does Aftermarket Glass Change the Calibration Requirement?

Not necessarily.

A vehicle may require ADAS calibration whether the replacement windshield is OEM or aftermarket.

The important factors are that the correct glass is installed, the camera mounts properly and the appropriate calibration procedure is completed.

Quality aftermarket windshields are available for many ADAS-equipped vehicles, while certain applications may call for a particular glass specification.

The correct choice depends on the vehicle.

Can I Tell From My VIN Whether Calibration Is Required?

The VIN can be an important starting point because it helps identify the exact vehicle.

However, equipment and windshield options may still need to be verified.

When booking your appointment, providing your VIN can help the glass shop identify the correct windshield and research the manufacturer's calibration requirements before work begins.

That can also help prevent delays caused by ordering the wrong glass.

Why Two Similar Vehicles May Need Different Windshields

Imagine two vehicles of the same make, model and year.

One has a basic equipment package.

The other has a heads-up display, rain sensor, acoustic glass and a forward-facing ADAS camera.

They may look nearly identical from the outside, but they can require different windshields and very different installation procedures.

That's why windshield replacement has become increasingly vehicle-specific.

The Quick Answer

Your vehicle may need ADAS calibration after windshield replacement if it has a camera or sensor system mounted near the windshield.

Keep these points in mind:

• Not every vehicle requires calibration.

• Many newer vehicles with forward-facing cameras do.

• Requirements vary by make, model, year and equipment.

• Calibration may be static, dynamic or a combination of both.

• Weather and road conditions can affect some dynamic calibration procedures.

• The manufacturer's procedure should determine what is required.

  
  

Does Your Vehicle Need ADAS Calibration?

You don't need to figure that out yourself.

At Master Glass Auto Glass, we'll identify the correct windshield for your vehicle and determine whether ADAS calibration is required as part of the replacement process.

If calibration is needed, we'll make sure the appropriate procedure is included so the job isn't treated as complete simply because the new glass has been installed.

If you're in the Okanagan and need a windshield replacement, contact Master Glass Auto Glass with your vehicle information or VIN. We'll help determine what your vehicle requires before the appointment begins.