Why does ADAS need recalibrating after a new windscreen?
The camera behind your windscreen sees the road at a specific angle and distance from the lens. Replace the glass — even fit the correct OEM screen — and the optical path shifts by a few millimetres. That's enough to send false lane warnings, late AEB, or wrong-range adaptive cruise. The car drives away technically working but with safety systems that aren't looking where they think they're looking. Recalibration realigns the camera to the new glass.
Static vs dynamic calibration
Two procedures exist depending on the vehicle. Static calibration uses target boards positioned at OEM-spec distances and heights in front of the car — typically 1.5–3 metres, requires a level, lit area roughly the size of a single garage bay. Dynamic calibration is done by driving the car under specific conditions (clear road markings, daylight, set speed range). Many cars need both. We carry the kit and do it on-site.
Vehicles we calibrate
Most makes from the last 8–10 years where a front camera is fitted: VW Group (VW, Audi, SEAT, Skoda), BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Vauxhall/Opel, Volvo, Toyota/Lexus, Honda, Hyundai/Kia, Nissan, Tesla, Land Rover/Range Rover. If your car has lane keep assist, AEB, adaptive cruise, traffic sign recognition or any of those branded systems (Honda Sensing, Toyota Safety Sense, Volvo IntelliSafe), it needs ADAS calibration after a windscreen replacement.
Can ADAS calibration be done without a new windscreen?
Recalibration is normally bundled with the windscreen replacement we fit, but we also handle stand-alone calibrations on cars where the windscreen was replaced elsewhere and the safety systems are now misbehaving. Bring the car or have us come to you; same in-vehicle process.
See examples of our work →