ADAS Calibration After Windscreen Replacement (Adelaide)

What ADAS calibration is

ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and similar features. On most cars built from around 2018 they rely on a camera mounted to the windscreen behind the rear-view mirror. When the windscreen is replaced, that camera’s position shifts fractionally, and even a tiny misalignment throws off where the car thinks the road is. Calibration re-aims it precisely.

It is a safety-critical step, not an optional add-on. Calibration adds $350 to $850 to a windscreen job, and on comprehensive insurance it is covered as part of the claim.

Static vs dynamic calibration

Dynamic calibration re-teaches the system by driving the car at set speeds on well-marked roads. Static calibration is done in a workshop against precisely-placed target boards. Which one your car needs is set by the manufacturer. Many European makes, common in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs, require static calibration, which needs more equipment and space and costs a little more. A good specialist tells you upfront which method applies to your car.

Why you should never skip it

An uncalibrated camera can brake late, read lane lines wrong or fail to warn you at all, and you may not notice until the moment you need the system. A windscreen quote that is suspiciously cheap on an ADAS car sometimes leaves calibration off; always ask whether it is included. On insurance it costs you nothing extra, so there is no reason to skip it.