Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are an important part of the safety technology found in modern vehicles. We’ve all lived with airbags, anti-lock brakes and seat belts for many years, but we hardly think about them or question their function. That is until we realize those options just saved our lives behind the wheel. The very same can be said about ADAS. It just sits there quietly until you, as the driver, are alerted to a potentially dangerous situation.
How Does ADAS Work?
ADAS uses a camera to capture images of the road and alert drivers to potential hazards, such as lane departure or a potential collision. The camera is typically located behind the rear-view mirror housing or mounted to the vehicle’s frame. Additional sensors may also be used for enhanced safety measures.
Below is a list of some of the features that this system is responsible for:
- Lane departure warning system / Lane Keep Assist
- Forward Collision avoidance
- Traffic sign recognition
- Pedestrian Avoidance
- Collision Mitigating Braking
- Auto High Beam Assist
Myth 1: ADAS Can Re-Calibrate Itself
One of the biggest myths in the auto glass industry is that ADAS systems learn by themselves once a windshield has been replaced or a vehicle has been repaired. This is false. A body shop or auto glass company that implies this is setting your vehicle up for failure.
Reality:
When a vehicle is finished on the assembly line, the ADAS safety features are calibrated to the manufacturer’s specifications. A calibration is done on the windshield to very specific parameters, even down to the millimetre in some instances. The computer or “brain” in these new vehicles will alert you when you’re a certain distance away from the vehicle ahead of you or where the center line is on the highway. All this information is set, calibrated and THEN shipped with the car to the dealership for you to purchase.
Replacing your vehicle’s windshield is like going to the optometrist to get a new prescription for your glasses. If your glasses aren’t properly adjusted, you won’t be able to see clearly. Similarly, a new windshield may sit slightly differently, causing the ADAS camera to sit at a different angle. This is why ADAS systems require proper calibration to function correctly. Your vehicle’s ADAS features won’t simply learn on their own and, therefore, must be calibrated to the manufacturer’s specifications. This is especially important for a static calibration, which uses targets and measurements.
Myth 2: You Must buy an OEM Windshield Replacement for Your ADAS to Work
Your local dealership says it must have the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) windshield for the ADAS to function properly. Plain and simple, NO! We’ve done hundreds of calibrations for EVERY type of vehicle on the road today, whether it is an OE windshield from the dealer or an OEE (Original Equipment Equivalent) windshield.
Reality:
Every windshield must have a Department of Transportation stamp and be made for the specific vehicle. At Easy Auto Glass, we provide a pre-scan report when the vehicle is brought in, and a post-scan report after the windshield is replaced. This gives you, your insurance company, and even your dealer peace of mind that the work was done to the highest standards and calibrated to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Myth 3: ADAS Equipment Never Fails
Of course, assisted driving systems aren’t foolproof. Weather, road conditions, painted lines, faulty installs, etc., can all contribute to an ADAS failure.
Reality:
ADAS is there to help us, not solve all our driving challenges. Still, a proven fact today is that a very high percentage of accidents are caused by human error, not paying attention, texting, drinking under the influence, and many more. Therefore, ADAS can help us significantly reduce these human-caused incidents.
Myth 4: ADAS Calibration is Mandatory in Canada
Unfortunately, Canadian laws haven’t caught up to the US, where many states are passing legislation mandating body shops and auto glass companies to calibrate all ADAS-equipped windshields.
Reality:
In Canada, ADAS calibrations are usually required in the event of a collision or sensor repair/replacement. However, many shops can get away with skipping this step during a routine windshield replacement. In the US, on the other hand, auto shops can be fined quite heavily for NOT re-calibrating these safety features. You can’t put a price tag on someone’s safety, which is why you should always choose a shop that never cuts corners.
We Provide ADAS Calibration with Every Repair
At Easy Auto Glass, we do all windshield calibrations in-shop, with a comprehensive, detailed report for your records once the windshield has been replaced. In the next few years, most vehicles will have ADAS safety features as standard equipment (some estimates are 85 % of all new vehicles sold). Therefore, the calibration process will only become more important for your safety.
Contact us today to schedule your windshield repair. We’ll be happy to get you back on the road safely in no time.
