Modern cars have introduced numerous new components that make driving much safer. Many contemporary automobiles come equipped with cameras and sensors as a part of their advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). The ADAS uses these various features to create warnings and automatically control the vehicle to prevent collisions.
Vehicle safety systems are great for keeping the driver and occupants safe. However, knowing how to calibrate a windshield is instrumental in keeping the ADAS functional. But what does the windshield have to do with sensors and cameras? A lot, actually. For more information, here’s why recalibration is essential to the performance of your car’s ADAS and safe driving.
Why Is Vehicle Safety System Recalibration Important?
ADAS’s technology is commonly mounted on or underneath the vehicle’s windshield. This means that wherever there’s a significant change to the windshield, such as after a collision or replacement, it can misalign the sensors and cameras. When this occurs, the vehicle safety systems won’t work as intended and won’t provide the same level of protection.
Therefore, it is imperative for vehicle owners never to neglect their ADAS recalibration. After an accident or situation that warrants a calibration, take your car to an expert. Professionals know how to calibrate a windshield correctly and will do so in one of two ways.
The first method is static recalibration, where unique targets are placed in front of the vehicle during its calibration. This process can take around half a business day. Dynamic recalibration is the other method, which involves driving the car at specific speeds along a well-marked road. The calibration method used for your automobile differs based on the model, with some manufacturers requiring both.
Types of Vehicle Safety Systems
To understand why calibrating a car windshield is so important, let’s look at some vehicle safety systems that depend on it to work properly. These ADAS features come in numerous forms and vary depending on the vehicle. Some systems have been around for a long time, but new ones are created and implemented over time as safety technology progresses. The next time you damage your car or have a windshield replacement done, remember that these helpful features won’t work correctly without a recalibration:
Adaptive Cruise Control
Cruise control features have been around for over a decade. They’re designed to keep your car at a consistent speed even when you take the foot off the pedal. Newer versions of cruise control take this one step further by altering the car’s speed to remain a safe distance from other vehicles on the road.
Lane Departure Warning
Not signaling when switching to another lane can be risky. Lane-keeping assistance systems prevent this by alerting the driver with a warning sound when they don’t signal. Additionally, they can also steer the vehicle back to the center of the lane if the driver does not respond promptly.
Blind-Spot Monitors
This vehicle safety system keeps an eye on the blind-spot spaces you can’t easily see. It lets you know if any approaching cars are in adjacent lanes to avoid an accident.
Emergency Braking Systems
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems know the distance between your car and the one in front of you. The system can initiate a stop automatically if the driver doesn’t take action before collision. Another version exists, known as the PAEB, which serves the same function for pedestrians.
Traffic Sign Recognition System
As the name suggests, traffic sign recognition systems track signs on the road. They’ll then display them on a screen inside the car that’s easily viewable by the driver.
Whether you need a windshield replacement in Delaware, a vehicle safety system recalibration or both, we can help. Delaware Auto Glass offers various automotive services to ensure your car is kept in top condition. Reach out to us today to get started.