Cars are getting smarter, which is a great thing. However, this can also affect Baytown windshield repair services. So-called smart windshields are quickly becoming the standard for many vehicle manufacturers. As advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) become increasingly popular, your Baytown windshield repair services may change as well. Many car manufacturers are making certain features standard in their vehicles. For example, many will have auto braking systems by 2022. Some makes and models already come with standard ADAS features. Therefore, learn more about how these features affect Baytown auto glass repair services, as you may have ADAS technology in your car.
What do Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Have to do with My Windshield?
ADAS systems include safety features such as:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Collision avoidance
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic headlights
These systems help increase driving safety and prevent accidents. However, it’s important to note that the windshield houses many of the cameras that control these systems. Any time the sensors move or are disconnected, they need recalibration services. This helps them function correctly. Even a small chip or crack in your windshield can affect these features. Therefore, if you have a smart windshield, you may need to schedule Baytown windshield repair even more quickly once you notice chips and cracks.
How Does This Affect Baytown Windshield Repair for My Car?
In addition to needing Baytown auto glass repair even more quickly if you notice damage, these systems can also affect the process of repairing or replacing your windshield. First, the price of the windshields themselves are often higher. This is because they need to house delicate sensors and cameras required for ADAS.
Additionally, after Baytown windshield repair or replacement, these sensors need to be calibrated according to the manufacturer’s specifications. For example, some auto manufacturers require advanced lasers to recalibrate these systems. Others may require what is called dynamic calibration. Dynamic calibration involves your Baytown windshield repair technician to test drive the vehicle to recalibrate the system. An example of some instructions to dynamically calibrate the lane departure features might be to drive the vehicle for a minimum of 20 minutes and 50 miles on roads with clear lane markers. Therefore, Baytown windshield repair services may take longer than in the past due to these necessary calibration processes.
When you need auto glass repair, it’s a good idea to have a list of all the ADAS features your vehicle has. Also, you should know the make, model, model year, and VIN number to ensure you receive the correct windshield and calibration for your car.
What if I Don’t Recalibrate ADAS after Baytown Windshield Repair or Replacement?
You might be wondering if there’s a way to avoid ADAS calibration after you get Baytown windshield repair or replacement services. Recalibration is vital for your systems to function properly and ensure your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. Even a camera that is a millimeter or two off can miscalculate the view by several feet. This means that systems like lane keep assist and auto braking may malfunction or fail.
For example, a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted a test on how a misaligned camera affected a 2016 Honda Civic’s ADAS features. They misaligned the camera by less than 1° and found that the camera did not perceive lanes properly, causing the lane keep assist to malfunction. Additionally, when they tested the automatic braking, the feature misfunctioned and actually crashed. However, calibration could have corrected the issue to compensate for the misaligned camera.
Think of it this way: without proper calibration, it’s like your ADAS cameras and sensors are wearing the wrong prescription of glasses. They won’t be able to “see” road conditions properly. This can put you and others at risk, as the ADAS features are there to help prevent collisions. If your lake keep assist can’t accurately see where the lane lines are, it may allow you to drift into other lanes and cause an accident. Therefore, it’s important to ensure you receive calibration services to protect yourself, your passengers, and others on the road after you receive Baytown auto glass repair services.
Can I Still Use Aftermarket Auto Glass?
So, what about using an aftermarket windshield instead of an OEM windshield? Most auto manufacturers recommend using an OEM replacement windshield instead of an aftermarket option for the ADAS systems to function properly. While aftermarket windshields are often less expensive, they can vary from your original windshield. For example, some differences you might see in an aftermarket windshield include the glass composition and clarity. Additionally, the placement and width of the frit (the black band around the edge of your windshield) can also differ from an OEM windshield. Another common concern is that the camera mounting brackets may not sit in the exact same place as the original windshield. These changes, though small, can affect how your ADAS camera views the road ahead of you. This, in turn, can create issues with your ADAS system.
In some cases, calibration can help offset these effects and allow your ADAS features to function normally. However, in other cases, systems may experience malfunctions or fail with an aftermarket windshield. Therefore, generally an OEM replacement is your best bet for vehicles with these safety features. However, your Baytown glass company can always help you determine the best option for your car and your budget. We can help determine if calibration will allow you to use an aftermarket windshield or whether you’ll need an OEM windshield.
Call Your Auto Glass Experts
At Joey’s Glass, we are a leading Baytown glass company. We offer a wide variety of glass services, including auto glass repair and replacement. Our technicians are here to help you protect your home, car, and business. Our goal is to provide trusted and practical options for our community. We are Baytown’s oldest full-service glass company, with over 47 years helping you repair, replace, and install high quality glass. Call us today at (281) 427-4705 to learn more about our services and request a free quote. We are here to serve you!