Windscreen Calibration Service | ADAS

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ADAS Calibration

Windscreen calibration is essential for any vehicle boasting modern ADAS features. If your vehicle’s windscreen has one or more embedded cameras and you need to have your windscreen replaced, you must ensure that the ADAS is calibrated professionally afterwards.

myWindscreen is your number one choice for finding local auto glaziers in the UK, many of which provide windscreen replacement and ADAS calibration services. Get quick, same-day or next-day service by requesting a quote from one of our partners today.

ADAS calibration service for your vehicle

What is ADAS calibration?

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, are automotive safety features that add convenience and/or functionality to motorists through the use of complex sensor systems. Features such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, automatic parking, and many others are increasingly common and most will become mandatory standard features on all new vehicles manufactured in the EU & UK in the coming years.

All of these systems are quite complex and your vehicle is finely tuned on the factory floor in a highly controlled environment to ensure that all ADAS features are fully operational by the time you’re behind the steering wheel. Over time and with modifications and/or damage to your vehicle, however, these systems may no longer function properly or at all.

ADAS calibration is the process of restoring the full functionality of one or more of these systems. This is essential for your safety, especially if the system has a higher level of autonomy.

Front windscreens on ADAS-equipped vehicles typically contain 1-2 small cameras, usually embedded near the area where the rear-view mirror is located. These cameras monitor vehicles, pedestrians, and other obstructions and continuously gauge speeds and distances. Some of the systems that commonly rely on front mounted windscreen cameras include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warnings.

ADAS calibration at competitive prices

As of 2024, the European Union has enacted the second phase of vehicle safety regulations pertaining to vehicles manufactured in the EU, the GSR2 safety regulations. Although the United Kingdom is no longer an EU member partner, the DfT will most likely enact these regulations with little to no modifications for new vehicles manufactured in the EU & UK and operated within the UK.

These changes are expected to increase safety by reducing human error, the leading cause of collisions leading to injuries and fatalities, but coming at a higher cost for consumers both in terms of purchasing new vehicles as well as maintaining ADAS-equipped vehicles.

Windscreen replacement costs for newer vehicles has steadily risen in recent years and ADAS-equipped windscreens tend to be more expensive to manufacture, source, and install due to the need for ADAS calibration. Fortunately, the cost of windscreen replacement and ADAS calibration still tends to be much lower when you choose a local, independent auto glazier through myWindscreen than with one of the big national competitors.

The ADAS calibration process

If your car windscreen is equipped with ADAS sensors, it must be recalibrated in order for your vehicle’s ADAS to function properly and to ensure your safety. The cameras in your windscreen must be calibrated whenever you replace the windscreen, remove or replace one or more cameras, or if your vehicle’s wheels need realignment or there are changes to the suspension system.

There are two methods of recalibrating the cameras of your windscreen: static and dynamic. Static calibration is performed in a controlled environment such as an auto glazier’s workshop. Dynamic calibration is often called ‘on-road’ calibration because it is performed with the vehicle in operation in actual conditions. Depending on your vehicle make and model, you may only require one or you may require both.

The static ADAS calibration process is as follows:

The vehicle is parked in a testing environment with a level surface, ample open space, and neutral-coloured and uniformly lit walls.
Various calibration targets are placed at specific heights, angles, and distances within the facility so that the windscreen’s cameras correctly calibrate to the required calibration target parameters.
The hard-coded values of the windscreen’s camera(s) are calibrated and the ADAS should function properly.

Note that the exact methods of static calibration tend to vary quite a bit between vehicle makes and models.
The dynamic ADAS calibration process is as follows:

One or two technicians will drive your vehicle around with an ADAS scan tool, preferably on long, straight road segments and with other traffic around.
The technician will perform specific manoeuvres such as driving straight along the road, making turns, following behind traffic, and coming to a full stop at intersections. These manoeuvres may need to be repeated until the ADAS scan tool has properly calibrated the windscreen cameras.
The vehicle is safe to drive and the ADAS should function properly.

Once your vehicle’s ADAS has been recalibrated using one or both of the above methods and following the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements for recalibration, it’s safe to drive again.

Keep in mind that your vehicle may have other ADAS features where the sensors are located elsewhere on the body of the vehicle such as steering angle sensors, front and rear radar/LIDAR sensors, and/or ultrasound sensors powering different features. The method of recalibrating each of these will differ from recalibrating windscreen cameras.

How to care for your recalibrated windscreen

Caring for a new windscreen is important, particularly if it’s equipped with advanced sensors needed for your vehicle’s ADAS to function properly. Motorists should be aware of new windscreen repair standards in the UK that took effect in 2023 (BS AU 242b:2022).

The good news is that the maximum permissible damage that can be repaired on most windscreens, i.e. stone chips and cracks, has become more forgiving for auto glaziers. This helps to reduce environmental waste and has the added benefit of making windscreen repairs more appealing since they tend to be much cheaper than replacing a windscreen altogether.

The bad news, however, is that any damage to the ADAS-equipped area of the windscreen cannot be repaired no matter how minor the damage. Beyond a surface scuff or scratch, any cracks extending into the camera/sensor area will require replacement of the windscreen.

To care for your recalibrated windscreen, consider driving carefully and avoiding trailing behind lorries that may kick up stones directly into the windscreen. Also, try to park your vehicle in safe, enclosed garages either at home or in car parks.

Frequently asked questions about ADAS calibration

How does ADAS technology work?

ADAS technology works by integrating cameras and sensors on the vehicle to provide motorists with features such as added convenience, safety, and varying levels of autonomy. The sensors relay vital information to the vehicle’s ADAS which provide features such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, collision avoidance, and much more.

How long does it take to replace an ADAS windscreen?

It normally takes around one hour to replace an ADAS windscreen, followed by approximately 1-2 hours to recalibrate the windscreen. Static ADAS calibration tends to take around 1 hour and dynamic calibration around 30-60 minutes. The exact duration of windscreen calibration can vary quite a bit from one vehicle model to another.

Can ADAS windscreens be repaired or do they need to be replaced?

According to British Standard BS AU 242b:2022, windscreens supporting ADAS technologies can be repaired if the damage is within permissible limits and does not cross into the ADAS sensor zone. Any damage within the sensor zone cannot be repaired and windscreen replacement is required.

What types of materials are used to replace ADAS windscreens?

Replacing an ADAS-equipped windscreen requires the glass itself and all of the supplies needed to fit the windscreen such as urethane sealant. For the recalibration process, auto glaziers require specialised equipment which can vary depending on your vehicle make and model. These include ADAS diagnostic tablets and scan tools, calibration fixtures and targets, as well as reflective sheets, cones, and more. Static calibration also requires a controlled environment.

Does my windscreen need static or dynamic ADAS calibration?

It depends on your vehicle make and model. Your vehicle handbook should clearly state whether windscreen calibration must be static, dynamic, or both. If you’re unsure, it’s advised to speak with an experienced auto glazier who specialises in ADAS calibration as they can determine the exact processes required to restore your vehicle’s ADAS.

Calibrate your windscreen today with myWindscreen

With ADAS becoming the norm for all new vehicles and many older vehicles in the UK, it’s essential to have a trustworthy auto glazier capable of calibrating your windscreen. Look no further than myWindscreen for local auto glaziers that provide professional ADAS calibration and more.

Windscreen Calibration (ADAS)

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